Use up vegetables

Find out what local and fresh in December for your festive food plans.

Parsnips are part of the Apiaceae family which includes celery, parsley and fennel. A popular root veg used throughout the year, it can be served roasted, steamed and mashed as well as being a great addition to soups and stews.

Onions are a popular veg used in many savoury dishes. They are part of the allium class of the lily family along with leeks, garlic and chives and come in different shapes, sizes, flavours and colours including spring onions and red and white onions.

Mushrooms, a fungi, are a popular food used in many different recipes. There are many different types including button, oyster and porcini.

There are many different varieties of lettuce including those that have floppy leaves like round lettuces to crisp leaves such as iceberg.

Leeks are a popular choice in the kitchen and can be used in place of onions if you need to use up any leftovers. They are part of the allium family along with onion and garlic, and are packed with nutrients.

A popular food in the UK, cucumbers are full of micronutrients and are a staple ingredient for salads and sandwiches.

Part of the same family as cucumber, squash and melon, courgettes have become a popular food due to its versatility. It can be used in most savoury recipes as well as some sweet dishes too.

Celery comes from the same family as carrots. It's high in water content and contains many vitamins and minerals as well as being a good source of fibre. The whole veg can be eaten - leaves, stalks and heart.

A member of the brassica family like cabbage and broccoli, cauliflowers are more commonly clusters of tightly packed white flower heads with outer green leaves. You can also get green and purple varieties too.