Winter is slowly melting away. As we watch it go, we have some cold weather greens recipes to take advantage of the last bit of the season. Cold weather greens come in the form of kale, cabbage, spinach, radicchio, and much more. They thrive in cooler temperatures, which intensify their flavors and textures. These hearty greens can carry sweet or bitter profiles and often have a tender, yet resolutely crunchy texture. They’re also rich in vitamins and nutrients, so you can get meet your daily requirements even when the sun isn’t shining. All of these qualities make cold weather greens an excellent choice for salads or stews. Make the most of these last few weeks of chill and add a cold weather greens recipe or two to your weekly dinner schedule.
Cold Weather Greens Recipes
COLDCO Bitter Greens Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette
Sharp, tangy, and a bit bitter, as the name suggests, Bitter Greens are beloved by many. When mixed with some of your favorite salad ingredients you get a medley of flavors and textures that cut the bitterness, making them beloved by everyone! The addition of Cranberry Vinaigrette adds notes of sweetness and tartness to engage the palate even further.
Grilled-Steamed Water Spinach with Filipino Pork Adobo Sauce
Water Spinach, also known as kangkong or morning glory, is a leafy green vegetable that is commonly used in Asian cuisine. It’s slightly crunchy and has a mild, slightly sweet flavor. We complement this healthy ingredient, which is full of antioxidants, with a Pork Adobo Sauce that’s rich, tangy, and savory.
Cannellini Bean and Purple Cabbage Hummus
Purple cabbage is a cold weather green that has many benefits. It can reduce inflammation, lead to a healthier heart, help strengthen bones, and improve gut function. In this recipe, it mixes with cannellini beans to make a rich-flavor, slightly spicy hummus. Plus, the color is so stunning that it’ll turn the heads of even those who do not like hummus.
Braised Cabbage and Beans
Did you know that cabbage is actually known to thrive in frosts? This cold weather leafy green gains a rich flavor when braised in olive oil. In our Braised Cabbage recipe, we accompany it with tender mixed beans in a vegetable broth. It’s a dish that’ll warm you up even on the coldest days.
Vermouth-Braised Radicchio & Fennel
Radicchio may be the ultimate winter green with its ability to elevate even the simplest of dishes. We use a browning and braising technique in our Vermouth-Braised Radicchio & Fennel. This process adds in sweet notes from the caramelization, mellowing some of the bitter notes in the vegetables.
Kale and Sweet Potato Soup with Pasta and Poached Eggs
If you’re in need of something comforting, filling, and with a healthy kick, this recipe is for you. Our Kale and Sweet Potato Soup uses pearl-shaped pasta and a peached egg on top. The hearty chunks of sweet potato and leaves of kale creates a powerhouse of nutrients from both the cold weather green and root vegetable. It’s simply the best meal for those cold, dreary days.
Creamy Kale Soup with Halloumi
Lacinato kale, also known as Tuscan kale or dinosaur kale, is characterized by long and narrow, crinkled, dark blue-green leaves. It has a slightly sweeter and more delicate flavor than other kale varieties. It works well with the salty addition of halloumi cheese in our Creamy Kale Soup.
COLDCO Farm Charred Radicchio Salad
If the bitterness radicchio isn’t for you, have you ever tried charring it? Grilled radicchio is much less bitter and delightfully smoky. A COLDCO Farm Charred Radicchio Salad is the perfect first course when served up with delicious flavors like parmesan cheese.
Romaine Arugula and Lentil Salad with Confit Tomatoes & Peppers
The richness of peppers and tomatoes roasted in olive oil is matched beautifully with winter greens of arugula and a big spoonful of hearty lentils, all tossed in a tangy balsamic dressing. This Romaine Arugula and Lentil Salad is so tasty and fulfilling that you might just forget you’re eating a healthy and nutritious dinner.
COLDCO Farm Winter Salad
Our COLDCO Farm Winter Salad carries a substantial flavor profile. Bitter winter greens, shaved parmesan, hazelnuts, and a homemade vinaigrette, blend together gloriously. The the gorgeous purple and pink appeal of these “greens” makes this dish appetizing to the eye as well as the stomach.
Ham, Beans, and Greens
Looking to enjoy winter greens in a warm and cozy way? Our Ham, Beans, and Greens recipe boils ham shank and beans with wilted escarole. Serve it along with crusty bread for a quick and comforting meal.
Gnocchi with Braised Oxtail and Collard Greens
Choosing to make the pasta from this luxurious recipe by hand just makes it all the more special. Homemade gnocchi meets a rich and savory sauce along with tender chunks of oxtail and slow-cooked collard greens.
Greek-Style Greens Galette
This recipe separates the winter greens likers from the winter greens LOVERS. A premade pie crust provides the base for Swiss chard, kale, and spinach as well as feta cheese and fresh herbs.
Citrus and Kale Salad with Fig and Honey Vinaigrette
The Citrus and Kale Salad With Fig and Honey Vinaigrette turns vitamin‑rich kale, which we know can be a bore, into something bright and refreshing. We’re balancing this greens’ earthy bitterness with citrus slices, fig‑honey vinaigrette, pomegranate seeds, and creamy avocado.
Edamame and Kale Hummus
A healthy and crowd-pleasing dip that puts winter greens to work. Kale, edamame, olive oil, tahini, garlic, lemon, and soy sauce blend into a creamy, flavorful hummus that’s perfect for snacks, sandwiches, or as a party appetizer.
Spinach Soup with Cashew Cream
Since it’s winter time, warm up with a cozy Spinach Soup. We’re turning spinach into something silky and nourishing by blending it with cashew cream for richness and depth. It’s a way to enjoy winter greens without sacrificing flavor.
Creamed Spinach with Dippy Eggs
The mornings are for winter greens, too! If you love the runny yolk of a dippy egg then you need to try it with a bed of creamed spinach made with a Boursin cheese sauce. Just don’t forget your baguette for dipping.
Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage
Simmering red cabbage until silky and tender gets an upgrade when you add tangy vinegar and sweet brown sugar. It’s a timeless winter dish perfect alongside roasted meats or other weeknight suppers.
Black-Eyed Peas Salad
One of the best part of a salad is the beautiful display of colors all in one bowl. This Black-Eyed Peas Salad tosses together golden cornbread croutons, ruby blood orange slices, green kale, purple radicchio, and black-eyed peas.
Winter Greens Salad
This Winter Greens Salad brings together the season’s most resilient of leaves for a crisp and clean lunch. We’re balancing these greens’ bitterness with the brightness of a citrus and dill vinaigrette.
Story by Kylie Thomas
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