1. Green beans
These sweet and crunchy veggies are a tasty reminder that summer is on its way – and there are so many ways to jazz them up so they stay exciting each time. For a simple and delicious side plate, roast or sauteé your beans with a touch of garlic and a sprinkle of parmesan, or pair them with another in-season favourite in this green beans and asparagus dish with tahini lemon drizzle. Use them to inject some colour into this chicken breast and romesco sauce dish, or roast in a carraway and parmesan crust with this succulent beef fillet dish. They also add delightful texture to this salad with peas, feta, olive and pine nuts, which will make the perfect side salad for barbecues and entertaining.
2. Beetroot
Adaptable, delicious and packed with powerful nutrients, beetroot should definitely be starring in your kitchen this month. The root vegetable adds a perfect burst of sweetness to this seared lamb salad, and is wonderful when roasted with a honey and balsamic glaze in this tasty side dish. Give it all the attention it deserves in this gorgeous roast beetroot, caramelised onion and cashew cream tart – a vegan recipe that is perfect for special occasions. Plus, experience the true magic of the vegetable in this gluten-free beetroot cake with chocolate drizzle – it adds such a wonderful richness without overpowering the flavour.
3. Courgette
Another versatile veggie is back in the foreground this month, with courgettes starting to stamp their authority in your crisper drawer. Create a crowd-pleasing brunch or dinner with these tasty courgette, pea and feta fritters, or turn the veggie into an absolute showstopper with this recipe for grilled cheesy courgettes topped with pine nuts and olives. Our easy courgette cream cheese and herb tart is perfect for taking on your next picnic, or make the most of the vegetable’s subtle sweetness by making this delicious courgette and banana cake with caramel buttercream.
4. Spinach
Popeye famously sang, “I’m strong to the finish, ’cause I eats me spinach,” leading to a boom in spinach sales in the US during the 1930s. Make sure you’re strong to the finish by packing the leafy green into all your November meals, because this all-rounder is chock-full of vitamins, iron and calcium. This spinach and sausage pull-apart pie looks and tastes incredible, and these spinach, bacon and corn muffins pack a punch in flavour. Cheese lovers will melt over these spinach, blue cheese and ricotta galettes, or try load this vibrant green smoothie up with spinach for a breakfast that will prepare you for anything.
5. Banana
November marks a bit of a lull when it comes to in-season fruit – the calm before the storm when summer fruits start to come into abundance – so keep up your intake with bananas, which are largely imported year-round. This gluten-free spiced banana loaf also features freeze-dried strawberries for a delicious extra pop of flavour, and this sticky banana and hazelnut croissant pudding makes an irresistibly sweet and simple dessert. For a clever kids treat, try freezing bananas before dipping them in yoghurt, coconut and chocolate – they’re perfect for birthday parties or sleepovers!
6. Eggplant
These shiny, deep purple veggies should be back on your radar this month, and are fantastic for including in all sorts of savoury dishes. Combine your eggplants with other in-season produce in this cheesy courgette and kūmara bake or in these scrumptious vege parcels with courgette, asparagus and capsicum. Eggplant can also be a hero on its own, in all its soft, creamy glory, so try whipping up these eggplant wedges with garlic yoghurt or this beautifully flavoured roasted eggplant dip for ideal snack ideas when entertaining.