Celebrate the Holidays with Seasonal Flavors from Your Kitchen Garden

The holidays are upon us, and it’s the perfect time to embody that garden-to-table lifestyle and showcase seasonal fruits and vegetables—hopefully some straight from your own garden! Fall and winter produce offers an array of vibrant flavors, colors, and textures that can take your holiday meals to the next level. Let’s embrace the season with these delicious and creative ideas:

Start with a Produce-Packed Soup or Appetizer

Warm up your guests with hearty soups that feature winter veggies like potatoes, cauliflower, or onions. A simple garden minestrone using frozen veggies and canned tomato sauce you preserved from a summer harvest can also be a cozy and satisfying start.

For appetizers, let winter produce shine! My savory squash spread is a delicious alternative to hummus, and adds a colorful element to a charcuterie board with pickled veggies, spiced nuts, and a touch of seasonal fruit (check out our charcuterie board blog for more inspiration).

Last winter I hosted a lovely little holiday gathering in my Yoderbilt greenhouse, and the centerpiece of my appetizer table was a charcuterie wreath created with homegrown herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme and then topped with meats, specialty olives, nuts, caprese skewers, and cranberries. It was an eye-catching way to feature garden-grown produce and my guests could not stop talking about it!

Serve Seasonal Salads

Add a pop of freshness to your holiday table with a winter salad. Toss in seasonal fruits like pears, apples, pomegranate arils, or slices of citrus for a bright, sweet twist. Finish with a homemade herb vinaigrette for a garden-fresh touch. (Need a recipe? Check out our vinaigrette blog!)

Reimagine Holiday Side Dishes

Side dishes are where winter produce can truly shine. Experiment with new recipes like spiced applesauce, stewed apples and pears, or a beet and citrus salad. Roast carrots or Brussels sprouts with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a sprinkle of thyme for a cozy, sweet-and-savory dish.

Winter squash varieties—like butternut, delicata, acorn, spaghetti, and pumpkin—are endlessly versatile. Add them to soups, salads, or lasagnas, or let them stand alone as a roasted side. Sweet or savory, these squash pair beautifully with your favorite herbs.

Don’t Forget Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a holiday staple, offering a naturally sweet and vibrant addition to your table. Roast, grill, or mash them with a touch of orange juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a crowd-pleasing side dish.

Fruits for Dessert

Seasonal fruits make for lighter, healthier desserts while still feeling indulgent. Try baked apples, pears, or berry crisps for a comforting treat. You could modify my fruit galette recipe to feature a seasonal fruit, or even serve a fresh fruit plate as a stunning (and simple!) way to end a meal.

And don’t forget about sweet potatoes or baking pumpkins—perfect for crafting homemade pies that taste like tradition with a twist of the garden.

This holiday season, let your garden and local seasonal produce inspire your meals. With a little creativity, you can bring the best of fall and winter flavors to your table while celebrating the bounty of the season. Check out my Winter Seasonal Eating blog for inspiration featuring all the produce your body craves during the cooler months.