Even though we find ourselves missing the sunshine and longer days of summer when we’re bundling up just to run to the mailbox in winter months, there are so many reasons why winter is actually one of our favorite seasons!
It has the best holiday line-up, the way snow blankets everything is actually quite beautiful (before it turns to brown slush), and we always welcome the chance to slow down and snuggle up with our favorite people. But you know what else winter has going for it? Some of the tastiest, nutrient-packed produce you can eat! Don’t hibernate (get it?) on these cold weather fruits and veggies—adding these to your little one’s meals is a great way to make sure they’re getting the really good stuff, while also getting all those vital vitamins and nutrients your growing mini needs. Don’t leave them off your plate, either. These are yummies the whole family will devour.
Beets
Beets can be stored for much of the year, but they’re in season in temperate climates from fall through spring, so this is when they’re at their peak. We’re big fans of them roasted or pickled, but your babe will love the earthy brightness of beets in Little Spoon’s Strawberry Basil Beet Pear Chia blend, which is chock full of fiber and antioxidants from this nutritional powerhouse of a root veggie. Pro-tip: crank up the heater so they can dine al fresco on this one, beets are delicious but they leave their mark on onesies…and everything else in sight!
Kabocha squash
We totally associate winter with yummy squash recipes, because so many varieties of the cucurbita family really shine during the colder months. Kabocha is one of our favorites due to its fluffy texture and mild sweetness, which is also why kabocha is always a big hit for babies, too. Little Spoon uses kabocha squash in their Limited Edition Gingerbread Cookie blend, pairing it with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves for a holiday treat. Kabocha squash is packed with beta-carotene and vitamin C, making this the healthiest gingerbread cookie you’ve ever had.
Cranberries
We know what you’re thinking—cranberries don’t exactly scream “baby food.” They’re tart and not what we’d consider a snacking fruit. And since babies can’t eat sugared cranberries or float them in a glass of champagne, seems a little strange to include them! But they are a quintessential winter fruit to use, and used in the right way, their tartness and brightness can really take your babe’s meal to a whole new level. Plus, they are full of antioxidants and vitamin C, so their reputation as a natural immunity-booster is well-earned. They’re paired with the warm flavors of apple and cinnamon in Little Spoon’s Limited Edition Cran Apple Pie, which tastes like dessert but can easily be nommed for any meal.
Kale
Kale really steps up to the plate in colder months, because cooler temps help keep this hearty green nice and sweet. Plus, there are so many varieties which can be used in myriad ways, so you can enjoy a fresh, bright salad even when it’s single digits outside. We know kale can get a bit of a bad rap, especially among the younger crowd. But your babe will go wild for kale in Little Spoon’s Kale White Bean Bear Basil Quinoa Avocado Oil blend. Packed with calcium from kale and vitamin C and fiber from peas, this hearty blend will warm their bellies when it’s chilly out.
Butternut squash
We won’t apologize for being squash-obsessed! Team Squash forever and ever. But seriously, is there anything these (not technically) gourds can’t do? If one of your favorite meals during winter is a warm bowl of creamy butternut squash soup, then your babe will probably flip over Little Spoon’s Butternut Squash blend. Packed with potassium, vitamins C, E, and A, plus beta-carotene, this wintry blend is the perfect meal for squash lovers.
