11 Delicious Baby Foods For Winter

Winter has a bad reputation for fresh fruits and veggies.

Are you missing the warm summer months, and the delicious fruits and veggies that come along with it? Don’t despair! Winter actually brings us some of the best fruits and veggies for babies, perfect for roasting, steaming, and simmering away on a cold winter day.

Why are winter foods so great for babies? For one, many winter foods have a nice soft texture when they are cooked, unlike some summer produce (I’m looking at you, corn!) that is crisp and firm. Lots of winter veggies are also naturally sweet, and, of course, full of vitamins and nutrients. Plus, most winter fruits and vegetables are affordable, stay fresh for a long time, and pair nicely with lots of different herbs and spices.

Choose seasonal produce as often as possible. Seasonal foods are fresh, affordable, and full of flavor. Fruits and veggies picked in season are more likely to be picked near where you live, so haven't been shipped halfway around the world. They are fresh, and have better flavor than foods from out of season. Compare the taste of a supermarket tomato bought in January to one bought in July. The one in season (in July) will be juicy, bright red, and full of flavor. The one in January is more than likely going to be a dull red color, starchy, and bland tasting. All foods have a season! Visit CUESA’s guide for seasonal fruits and veggies for a full list!

Making homemade baby food doesn’t have to be hard.

Don’t be fooled by packaged baby food companies. Making your own baby food is easy, affordable, and quick. You don’t need any special equipment. You can make all the puréed food your baby will ever eat in just a few hours. Most babies transition from purées to more solid textures within a few months. Plus, homemade baby food tastes fresh and doesn’t contain preservatives. For more information on making your own baby food, read my 5 Tips to Cooking Healthy Homemade Baby Food. And, learn more about my book, Make-Ahead Baby Food Cookbook, that will teach you all about making your own baby food ahead of time!

The best baby foods that winter has to offer.

Here are my picks for winter fruits and veggies that your baby will love. Look at your local farmer’s market for the freshest produce and the greatest variety. Many supermarkets now also feature local foods, which mean they are fresher and help support your local farmers. Have a question about serving these foods for your baby? Leave a comment below!

1. Carrots

Orange, red, yellow, even purple! Carrots are full of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Babies love their sweet taste and will be fascinated by the bright colors. Serve carrots well-cooked, either pureed or cut into long sticks and steamed or roasted for older babies.

2. Mushrooms

While they may sound like a strange pick for babies, mushrooms make an excellent food for your little one! They are full of B vitamins and many minerals, including magnesium, zinc and copper. Serve mushrooms cooked, either pureed with another food (like mashed potatoes or oatmeal), or for older babies, cut into small pieces and roasted, steamed or sautéed.

3. Cauliflower

As a type of cruciferous vegetable, cauliflower contains many different antioxidants that help protect cells. In addition, cauliflower contains vitamin and minerals like Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, and Vitamin B6. Serve cauliflower cooked, either pureed, or for older babies, cut into small wedges and steamed or roasted. Keep an eye out, cauliflower also comes in orange, green and purple!

4. Avocado

Avocados are one of my favorite foods, and they were the first food I served to my daughter. I love that they are full of healthy fats, which support brain development, and are full of nutrients like potassium, Vitamin C, B vitamins, fiber, and magnesium. Serve ripe avocados mashed smooth, or as thin wedges. You can also coat thin avocado slices in cracker crumbs or cereal crumbs to make it easier for your baby to pick it up on their own.

5. Winter Squash

There are so many different varieties of winter squash, it may take you several winters just to try them all! From butternut, acorn, kabocha, even pumpkin, they all contain many vitamins and minerals and have a nice sweet flavor that babies love. Winter squash are so easy to cook, just wash them, cut in half, remove the seeds, and roast in a hot oven until the flesh is nice and soft. Serve your baby the cooked, soft squash, or add it to your favorite foods or hot cereal.

6. Oranges

Oranges are a delicious and nutrient-packed fruit that your baby will love! Full of Vitamin C, folate, and thiamine, their juicy and sweet-sour flavor will amaze your baby. You can blend seedless oranges into a smoothie, and for babies eating finger foods, remove pits and tough membranes and stems, and cut orange segments into small pieces.

7. Apples

Homemade applesauce is so easy to prepare, and will fill your house with the smells of winter-time baking. Wash and peel your apples, cut into chunks, and steam them in a pot with a small amount of water. Once they are soft, use a blender of food processor to make a smooth sauce. Add your favorite seasonings like cinnamon, cloves, or cardamom. Experiment with different varieties of apples, each one has it’s own unique flavor.

8. Pears

Like apples, pears make a wonderful homemade sauce that your baby will love! Prepare pear sauce the same way as applesauce, or try a twist of apples and pears with your favorite spices. For older babies, serve soft ripe pears peeled and cut into small pieces.

9. Broccoli

I really don’t know why broccoli has a reputation as being a “YUCK!” food with kids. So many kids and babies love broccoli! Babies are fascinated by the tiny little florets, and the bumpy and smooth texture of the stem. To serve broccoli, you can steam and puree it with another food like potatoes or beans. For older babies, steam or roast broccoli and cut into small pieces. You can also cook the broccoli stem (it tastes really sweet!), just peel off the tough outer layer before cooking.

10. Potatoes (all kinds!)

Another practically perfect baby food, potatoes are full of nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-6, potassium, and magnesium. Be on the lookout for different varieties of potatoes, including purple, red, white, and of course sweet potatoes. Serve potatoes steamed and mashed, or for older babies, peel and roast thin wedges in a hot oven until soft.

11. Rutabaga

While this root vegetable may look weird, rutabagas are simply a cross between cabbage and turnip. They are full of nutrients like Vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. To serve, steam and mash until smooth, just like a potato. As your baby gets older, they’ll love small rutabaga pieces steamed or roasted!

What’s your baby’s favorite winter food? Let me know in the comments!