Iowa Eats Local Even in Winter
Wintertime is the time to use those storage veggies — winter squash, potatoes, onions — and to source your meats locally. Planning out your menu a week or even a month in advance can save time and energy wondering “what’s for dinner?”
Monday
Make it Meatless with a Roasted Winter Squash and Quinoa Salad. Have some leftover bread? Try a Fall Panzanella.
Roasted Root Vegetables
Great served as a side dish you can feel good about. Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Roasted Butternut Salad
A hearty winter salad with sweet butternut squash and tangy vinaigrette. The lentils make it filling enough to be the main course. Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer’s market.
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Tuesday
Tacos fit the bill for ANY type of diet. Have you ever made your own tortillas? It’s easier than you might think! Check out our Lard Tortilla Recipe.
Sweet Potato Tacos
Even the carnivores will love this one! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer’s market.
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Beef Tacos
Everyone loves taco night! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Wednesday
How about a pasta or rice night? Enjoy some Jam Glazed Chicken or Chicken, Bacon, and Mushrooms over rice or use up whatever vegetables you’ve got in a stir fry.
Duck Egg Pasta
Duck eggs have a larger yolk than chicken eggs and lend a richer flavor to fresh pasta. Use these noodles as you would in any other pasta dish, just cut them to your need! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Spaghetti Squash Alfredo
A delicious twist of classic alfredo! Using spaghetti squash makes the whole meal lighter, and gives it a delicious texture that makes everyone want seconds. If you are a spaghetti squash newbie, this is the first recipe you should try! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Kale Stir-fry
This is a quick and easy recipe featuring kale (or any hardy green such as swiss chard, collards or beet greens etc.)Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer’s market.
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Thursday
Is it a casserole or a hot dish?
Shepherd's Pie
A hearty winter favorite you can make with lots of ingredient flexibility. Local root vegetables and beef are the star of this dish! It's easy on the wallet and can keep you warm on those cold winter nights. Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Cheesy (Rainbow) Carrot Casserole
This recipe can be made with regular orange carrots or jazz it up by using rainbow carrots! It's a prefect side dish and kid approved! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer’s market.
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Green Bean Casserole
A Thanksgiving staple in much of the Midwest, we challenge you to think outside of the can for this one and opt for fresh ingredients - it'll be a showstopper with a little extra time and care. You can make the condensed cream of mushroom (or celery) days in advance and refrigerate. Assemble the casserole the night before and make homemade french fried onions day-of.Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer’s market.
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Friday
Pizza Night! Hit up your favorite pizza shop or roast up some veggies and get creative.
Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Pizza
Looking to switch up pizza night? Get the whole family together for a make-your-own pizza night featuring local butternut squash! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Stop by your local farmer's market or contact your local farmer! Winter squash has a very long shelf life so stock up in the fall!
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Saturday
Keep Saturday simple with a burger & fries vibe.
"Simple Joes" from Kollasch Family Farms
A delicious weeknight staple featuring local ground beef, this recipe comes from Kollasch Family Farms of Whittemore where they produce sustainable beef by feeding organic grasses and grains grown on our certified organic farms. Husband and wife team, Matt and Hilary run their Pinzgauer cow-calf operation.Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic Aioli
Sweet potatoes and garlic make a beautiful pair! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer’s market.
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Sunday
Souper Sundays! Here are 25+ Locally-Inspired Soup Ideas! Making soup or chili on Sundays is also a great way to ensure you’ll have something to pack for lunches!
Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Borscht (Beet and Vegetable Soup)
Great fall soup using a variety of seasonal veggies. Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer’s market.
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Lunches, Snacks, and More
Eat leftovers for lunch the next day (if there are any!) or keep a jar of pesto in your fridge for a quick sandwich or for dipping your vegetables into. Do a large batch of winter squash puree to have on hand for Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Pumpkin Muffins, etc. Don’t forget a winter inspired dessert.
Pumpkin Seed Clusters
A delicious way to use the seeds from any winter squash! Pumpkin, kabocha, spaghetti, delicata, or a combination! Throw them on a salad or just eat them as a snack! Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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