What's in season - February
Discover seasonal recipe ideas for February and key foodie dates for your diary. Make the most of purple sprouting broccoli, turnips, sprouts, swedes and much more.
February might seem like one big chilly Tuesday, but look closer and it’s a lot more action-packed than first thought. There’s Yorkshire Pudding Day, Chinese New Year and, like it or not, it’s Valentine’s Day too. This can be the perfect opportunity to cook and impress someone special or simply avoid those crowded restaurants.
The seasonal recipes below would all work very nicely as a cosy dinner for two but could easily be bumped up for a crowd if you’re throwing an alternative bash with friends. Check out more top tips for a successful Valentine's Day.
Produce in season in February
Purple sprouting broccoli has a short season, so grab it while you can. Look for ones with fresh, crisp leaves and deep purple florets – although, be aware, the colour will fade during cooking. This warm broccoli, feta & preserved lemon salad by contributing editor Diana Henry is a real treat; roasting the broccoli brings out a little sweetness which pairs brilliantly with the sour yogurt and bitter lemon.
Tip: Purple sprouting broccoli is a great alternative to asparagus, so try it griddled and served with poached eggs, hollandaise sauce and toasted English muffins or sourdough.
Find more ideas in our purple sprouting broccoli recipe collection.
Not just for Christmas, sprouts are around until early spring. I’ll admit, I haven’t always been a big fan, but this cheesy sprout fondue recipe by Good Food’s Cassie Best instantly converted me.
Tip: If you buy them on the stalks, don’t forget the top leaves are edible, too, (just cook them like cabbage).
Get more recipe inspiration in our Brussel sprouts collection.
Winter turnips have a stronger, peppery flavour compared to summer’s baby turnips. We’re coming to the end of the season, so make the most of them, served raw in a winter salad like this.
Tip: Try swapping out some of the potatoes in your hotpot, gratin or Dauphinoise for turnips. They’ll make the dish a bit lighter and really crank up the flavour.
Find extra ideas in this collection of turnip recipes.
Small ones are sweeter, but peeling them is more laborious than peeling one big swede. Try a drizzle of maple syrup to bring out the sweetness in this comforting sausage traybake by recipe writer Katy Gilhooly.
Find more ideas see our swede recipe collection.
Browse recipes for, and information on, other ingredients in season:
• Bramley apple
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Celeriac
• Celery
• Chicory
• Clementine
• Jerusalem artichoke
• Kale
• Parsnip
• Radicchio
• Rhubarb
• Grapefruit
• Pomegranate
Seasonal food events in February
British Yorkshire Pudding Day
3 February – time to celebrate all things Yorkshire pud. Get some tasty ideas in our Yorkshire pudding recipe collection.
Chinese New Year
5 February – The start of the new Chinese calendar year begins on this day, and is marked with celebrations over several days where lots of traditional Chinese food is served. See our recipe collection for Chinese New Year party inspiration.
British Dal Festival
10-17 February. A nationwide celebration of all things dal (or dhal) rooted in Bristol, with over 20 businesses forming a Dal Trail across the country. Paintworks on Bath Road will host the event finale on Saturday 16 February with street food, demos and all sorts of pulse-based activities for the family. See the festival website for more information.
Valentine’s Day
14 February - find heaps of recipe ideas on our Valentine’s day hub page or if you’re pulling out all the stops and whisking someone special off to Paris, here’s our guide to where to eat in the French capital.
Real Bread Week
23 February-3 March – the week to get buying, baking and eating great bread. If you’re having a go here are some top baking tips from Luis Troyano.
Fairtrade Fortnight
25 February-10 March – two weeks in the diary to celebrate those who grow and make the food we eat.
See our seasonal calendar for more inspiration.
More seasonal recipes and information
Top 20 winter recipes
Top 10 winter soup recipes
How to cook Brussels sprouts
Our most indulgent Brussels sprout recipes
Valentine's Day hub page
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