PICK SWISS CHARD

Swiss chard, despite its slightly exotic look, is very hardy and makes a really good winter vegetable.The leaves can be eaten like spinach when young and tender, and through the winter the thick stalks can be braised, steamed and used in casseroles. Regardless of whether you grow red, white or mixed stalks, chard makes a good alternative winter veg and the stalks will store a while in the fridge.

ENJOY ROASTED PARSNIPS

Winter dinners wouldn’t be the same without roasted parsnips! We love them in our house and this root vegetable is a regular part of our diet from November through until April and, as well as roasting and mashing the roots, we also make a delicious soup from them. Being totally hardy they can remain in the soil all winter, although they can be lifted and stored in damp sand or the fridge.

HARVEST BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Another traditional winter vegetable is Brussels sprouts and they can be cooked in a variety of ways with nuts, bacon and in a creamy sauce to provide a delicious side dish. To keep the sprouts fresh it’s always best to harvest them straight from the stalk because, if picked too early, the buttons can dry out. If you do want to harvest early, cut the whole stalk and keep it in a cold shed.