We all know that eating seasonal produce is the best way to save money and enjoy the freshest food available. Check out a great list of winter fruits for you to stock up on now — and whip up a delicious batch of apple and cinnamon choc-chip muffins!
Think the best fruit only comes in summer? Think again. In Australia, we’re lucky enough to be blessed with a great range of seasonal fruits in winter too! Ready to start munching? Fill the trolley with these great winter fruits:
- Apples
- Avocados
- Custard apples
- Grapefruit
- Kiwifruit
- Lemons
- Limes
- Mandarins
- Nashis
- Oranges
- Passionfruit
- Pears
- Quince
- Rhubarb
- Strawberries
We take a closer look at our faves…
Oranges
This delicious citrus is at its prime in the winter months, meaning fantastic fresh orange juice, frozen orange quarters and orange and poppyseed cake. It’s renowned for being jam-packed with vitamin C, but did you also know it’s bursting with fibre and antioxidants?
Kiwifruit
These little guys are at their cheapest during the winter months thanks to the increase in supply. They’re also full of vitamin C and vitamin E, making them a great fruit to throw in the lunchbox with a plastic knife/spoon combination or to incorporate into a fresh salad for dinner. Choose a kiwifruit that’s plump and oval in shape. To ripen, store at room temperature or in the fridge away from other fruits. You can tell when a kiwifruit is ripe because it’s just tender when squeezed.
Apples
An apple a day certainly does keep the doctor away! Apples are not only bursting with antioxidants, but also many other nutrients and they help you to feel full for longer. Thanks to their handy shape, size and protective peel, they’re the perfect fruit to throw in your handbag or eat on the run. Enjoy an apple by itself or slice it up for use in a crunchy salad or on a sandwich with peanut butter. (Weird, but wonderful!) If you’re in the baking mood, follow this delicious recipe adapted from apple info powerhouse Aussie Apples. Browse their online archive for a fantastic range of apple-based recipes or to learn more about where and when you can get the best apples in Oz.
Apple and cinnamon choc-chip muffins
Makes 12 muffins
Ingredients:
- 3 Granny Smith apples
- 1/4 cup apple juice concentrate
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup cooking oil
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup sultanas
- 1/2 cup cooking chocolate chips
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C. Grease a muffin tray or fill with paper cases.
- Pass the apples through a juicer and transfer the pulp and juice to a pan on the stove.
- Add the apple juice concentrate and cook over a medium-low heat for five minutes or until stewed. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, sift the flour, then add the baking powder and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, lightly beat two eggs. Add the apple stew and cooking oil.
- Pour this mixture into the flour bowl and stir until combined, but be careful not to over-stir or the batter will become tough.
- Add the walnuts, sultanas and chocolate chips.
- Spoon the batter into the muffin tray and place in your preheated oven.
- Cook for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through and golden on top.
- Remove from the oven and let cool in the tray for five minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy this fantastic winter fruit in a warm, chocolatey dessert!
more WINTER recipes
Winter cocktail party ideas
Tasty warming soups for winter
Winter vegetables to try
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