It’s cold and often wet and everyone’s power bills are sky high. So what’s cheap and in season in winter when it comes to fruit and veges and which are the most affordable?

Vegetables

By late winter, even the cheaper vegetables can become pricier. However, carrots, cabbages, potatoes, and onions remain budget-friendly options. For greens, celery, leek, broccoli, and silverbeet are also reasonably priced, and Brussels sprouts are in season. Root vegetables such as parsnips, yams, and turnips are available, but they might cost around $6-$12 per kilo. If your favourite vegetables are getting expensive, consider buying frozen options like capsicums and mixed vegetables. Look for specials or budget brands for peas, corn, and green beans.

Carrots

Carrots are a great value in winter, packed with vitamin A, and perfect for soups, casseroles, or winter salads. To keep them fresh longer, store them in a Tupperware container lined with a paper towel. If they need to be used quickly, try these ideas:

• Roasted Carrots: Glaze with honey or maple syrup, try this recipe.
• Pureed Carrots: Cook and puree, then freeze for soups or baking.
• Vegetable Juice: Blend in a juicer to make fresh juice or add to a smoothie.
• Find more recipe ideas on our 8 ways with carrots blog.

Carrot and apple or carrot and sultanas makes for a great winter salad. 

Potatoes

Potatoes are a winter comfort food staple. They can be baked, mashed, roasted, or boiled. Store them in a cool, dark pantry away from onions to extend their shelf life. If they sprout, just cut off the sprouts. Avoid green potatoes as they can be harmful. You can freeze both roasted and mashed potatoes. Try these twice baked potatoes with bacon and sweetcorn or why not try making croquettes a great way to use up mashed potato?

Here are some further recipe ideas:

• Baked Potatoes: Stuffed with bacon and sweetcorn.
• Potato Bombs: Perfect for using up mashed potatoes.
• Find more recipe ideas on our 8 ways with potatoes blog.

Smashed potatoes

Cabbages

These colcannon cakes use leftover mashed potato and cabbage. 

Cabbages are a bargain at around $3 each. They can be eaten raw or cooked and they add delicious texture to dishes. Keep the outer leaves to wrap around the cabbage after slicing to retain freshness. Use larger outer leaves to make dishes like oven-baked hangi.

• Stuffed cabbage rolls: A great way to use cabbage leaves.
• Salads: Toss thinly slice cabbage with your favourite creamy or zesty dressing.
• Preserve: Ferment to make sauerkraut or kimchi, or make a simple pickle.
• Find more recipes on our blog: 8 ways with cabbage.

What to skip?

Avoid summer vegetables like courgettes, aubergines, peppers, and tomatoes, which are expensive in winter. Opt for coleslaw over green salads and make stews and soups with a base of carrots, celery, and onions.

Fruit

Apples, oranges, lemons, and grapefruit are your best bets in winter. Persimmons and tamarillos are available but can be pricey.

Apples

These baked apples are a great way to use leftover pastry 

Apples are the cheapest fruit in winter, often available for around $2 per kilo. Store them in the fridge to extend their shelf life. You can also stew and freeze them for later use. Try these ideas:

• Stewed Apples: Freeze for future use in baking or sauces.
• Apple Recipes: Check out various recipes for using apples, including making your own apple cider vinegar from the peels.

These apple roll ups are our favourite budget snack.

Citrus Fruit

Oranges are often more affordable than mandarins. Backyard trees in the North Island might have lemons, grapefruit, and tangelos. Consider asking neighbours for extras.

Use citrus peels for zesting, candying, or making a DIY cleaning spray. Freeze grated rind for baking and juice in ice cube trays for summer dressings.

Check out 8 ways with citrus for recipe inspiration, and 8 ways with citrus peels to make the most of all that citrus has to offer.

Use any citrus peels to make this cheap DIY cleaning spray

What to skip?

Avoid stone fruits like peaches and plums, as they are usually imported and lack flavour. Kiwifruit and pears might be nearing the end of their season and could be more expensive. Look for specials on bananas and pineapple and consider tinned and frozen fruits for treats.

For more ideas, check out our Easy Choice Family Kai Winter budget-friendly cookbook, filled with family-friendly meals using seasonal produce.