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Home » Eat what's in season » Produce & recipe guide: February 2025

Produce & recipe guide: February 2025

February and March are the long stretch of winter offering the same fruits & vegetables from the previous cold months and nothing new. So it's time to get creative with produce this month.

February seasonal produce chart: fruit and vegetables in season include blood oranges, kumquats, grapefruit, mandarins, kiwi, parsnips, winter squash, brussels sprouts, celery root, celery, and mushrooms.
Seasonal fruit & vegetable chart for February
Jump to:
  • Fruits in season
  • Vegetables in season
  • Produce guides for February
  • In-season recipes for February produce
  • Out of season options
  • More seasonal guides

Now is also the time to take advantage of produce available throughout the year at high quality. This includes potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and sometimes apples.

Toward the end of this produce guide, I also share some tips on using other types of fruit this month to mix in something different. After months of citrus, I know I am usually looking for something to liven up my salads, snacks, and baking.

Fruit in season for February include citrus, blood oranges, grapefruit, kumquats, mandarins, pomelos, and kiwi.

Fruits in season

Citrus fruits are still the main staple in February. Try something new this month and buy some blood oranges, pomelos, or kumquats. Not sure how to use them? Don't worry, I'll get into that shortly.

Toward the end of the article, I also share some tips on using other types of fruit this month.

Grapefruit varieties: Ruby Rio Star, Pink, Oro Blanco

Grapefruit

A classic winter fruit, grapefruits are an easy snack and work well in a bunch of recipes.

Try something new with them this February. Cut up segments and add to a salad, squeeze the juice for a dressing or to use in muffins, or broil and add to a grain bowl.

Grapefruit poppy seed muffins
Light & fluffy with a big poppy seed flavor and a hint of grapefruit, made in one bowl.
Check it out
Grapefruit poppy seed muffins on a table with slices of fresh grapefruit

Ruby Red grapefruits have become their own entire category with spinoffs like Rio Red and Star Ruby. In general, Ruby Red grapefruits are the sweetest varieties available.

Meanwhile, pink grapefruits are less sweet, but also less bitter. In general, they also have more nuanced, complex flavors.

Pomelos

Pomelos are a large grapefruit relative. They are much less bitter, taste slightly sweeter with a little bit of tartness. They are usually a little less juicy than grapefruits too.

February might be the last month to find pomelos, although you could still have luck next month. If you haven't tried one yet, get out and buy some!

There are also a lot of pomelo-grapefruit hybrids (like oro blanco pictures above) that might be labeled as pomelos. (Citrus fruit cross very easily so their lineage can get fun, but crazy).

Use them in place of grapefruit for recipes. They store for about a month in the fridge.

A box of clementines in season (a type of mandarin orange)

Mandarin oranges

Mandarin oranges is a giant sub category of oranges that include clementines like Halos and Cuties, satsumas, and the beloved giant Sumo mandarins.

Clementines are the perfect sized mandarin for salads - the segments are already bite sized. Satsumas work just as well (in fact they are the most common variety for canned mandarin oranges).

Chinese chicken salad with mandarin oranges
Rotisserie chicken, cabbage, and mandarin oranges are mixed with a sesame ginger dressing.
Check it out
A dinner plate filled with Chinese chicken salad, mandarin oranges, shredded cabbage, and a sesame salad dressing.
Mandarin orange chicken
Mandarin orange chicken with double the sauce. Flavored with fresh oranges, zest, garlic, ginger, and sriracha.
Check it out
Mandarin orange chicken in a sauce with broccoli, sesame seeds, green onions and rice

Sumo mandarin oranges are a specific brand and more expensive. In order to earn the brand name, the fruit has to meet certain quality standards, which is why they have more flavor and taste sweeter than other varieties.

When are blood oranges in season? Get the full scoop along with how to pick the best ones and store them.

Blood oranges

Blood oranges are fun citrus fruits that are still in season throughout February and the next month or two. The flavor is similar to other oranges but less acidic and are more complex flavor (hints of raspberry or strawberry).

The most fun ways to use blood oranges are taking advantage of the red juice color. Use it to make pink frostings, add segments to a salad for a striking presentation, or add color to a smoothie (or cocktail).

Get a whole bunch of recipe ideas on my blood orange guide.

Kumquats are in season in the middle of winter to early spring.

Kumquats

These bite-sized citrus fruits are a little harder to find, but worth the effort. Keep an eye out at specialty stores, Asian grocers, or Whole Foods, which should be carrying them throughout February.

They are the size of a grape and the entire fruit is edible, including the rind. The rind is actually sweet, while the flesh is sours. The seeds are small and edible, but a lot of people spit them out because they taste pretty bitter.

How should you use kumquats? Slice them up and add to a sweet & sour chicken dish, add to a salad, dice up and add to baked goods, or make an upside down cake.

Get more recipe ideas on the kumquat guide.

Kiwi in season cut in half to show green flesh

Kiwi

Kiwi are actually harvested in fall and into early winter. US grown kiwi are available all the way until May. The kiwi available in summer are imported from the southern hemisphere.

Add kiwi on top of salads, to yogurt, or even use it as a marinade. Kiwi have a special enzyme that breaks down meat differently than citrus and other tenderizers.

Get some recipes and ideas on the kiwi seasonal guide.

Vegetables in season for February include brussels sprouts, parsnips, winter squash, mushrooms, celery and celery root.

Vegetables in season

Celery, brussels sprouts, mushrooms, winter squash and root vegetables are all in season in February.

Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage are available all year, but winter is the best time for them as colder weather makes them sweeter.

Celery in season

Celery

Celery is available all year, but it actually has more flavor in cooler months. It should have a stronger celery flavor and a better texture.

When is celery root in season? How to pick the best ones and store them.

Celery root

If you're getting bored of eating root vegetables by February, try picking up some celery root for a change of pace.

They look gnarly and require a bit of extra effort to remove the exterior. They have a subtle celery-potato flavor and have a similar texture to potatoes once cooked.

They can be mashed, roasted, and added to soups. When pureed into a soup, they make a creamy base, similar to potatoes but less starchy. High end restaurants sometimes puree celery root as a bed to serve steak.

Healthy kale Caesar salad with chicken
A new take on a caesar salad with chicken - perfect for winter
Check it out
Kale Caesar salad with chicken
Brussels sprouts with bacon strips, parmesan, and lemons on an olive wood board

Brussels sprouts

Roasted brussels sprouts are a classic fall and winter side dish. But by late February, I'm looking for something new.

I'll shred them as a base for salads, layer into lasagna, or add to a creamy pasta. They can also be added to tacos or made into a cheesy dip.

Get 50 different recipes and get excited about brussels sprouts again before their season ends.

Brussels sprouts recipes with bacon, maple syrup, parmesan (and more)
Check it out
Brussels sprouts with bacon strips, parmesan, and lemons on an olive wood board
Types of mushrooms in season: maitake, oyster, shiitake, portobello

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are available all year, depending on the variety and if they are grown in a controlled environment. But some fun varieties show up in fall and hang on until February or even March.

Whole Foods has a "Chef Sampler" that contains several different varieties - you can find them in the refrigerated section of the produce area. Sometimes they are near the bagged salad kits.

Cremini mushrooms are a staple this time of year because they are grown in green houses and mature within weeks. There are so many good classic mushroom recipes perfectly suited for creminis.

10 classic cremini mushroom recipes & unique variations
Try a classic beef stroganoff, mushroom soup, mushroom risotto, or a mushroom-swiss burger.
Check it out
A pot of stew with cremini mushrooms, to roundup cremini mushroom recipes
Wild mushroom risotto
A variety of wild mushrooms give depth to any classic mushroom risotto. Use what you can find at specialty stores.
Check it out
A pan of wild mushroom risotto topped with cremini mushrooms
Peeled butternut squash cut in half. The bottom is used for roasting and the top is diced into cubes.

Winter squash

Butternut squash are the classic winter squash staple that you can still find in grocery stores throughout February and into March. There are other types of winter squash that store well, but they are harder to find as winter drags on.

For a new challenge this month, try roasting the seeds of any winter squash you buy. They are all edible and roast up just as easily as pumpkin seeds. A butternut squash have about a half-cup of seeds - perfect for two to snack on.

  • Roasted butternut squash soup with bacon & Cajun spices
    Roasted butternut squash soup with Cajun spices & bacon
  • A bowl of Zuppa Toscana soup with butternut squash
    Zuppa Toscana soup with butternut squash
  • Roasted squash seeds on an oven tray, including pumpkin seeds, butternut seeds, buttercup seeds, and acorn squash seeds
    Roasted squash seeds (extra crispy!)
  • A bowl of roasted butternut squash soup with sage croutons
    Roasted butternut squash soup with sage croutons
Parsnips are in season in fall

Parsnips

Parsnip season first starts in fall but last throughout winter. Stores still carry them in February, but I've noticed the inventory is low or can sell out this month and into March before they disappear.

Parsnips are actually sweeter than carrots but can taste bitter. The skin is the most bitter part, so you can peel them if it's too strong. Large parsnips can have a tough core that you can cut around as well.

Carrots are also in season right now and often sweeter in winter. They are available year round because of their popularity, but parsnips won't be after next month.

Produce guides for February

Click on any of the images below to get more tips, tricks and recipes for the produce in season this month.

When are blood oranges in season? Get the full scoop along with how to pick the best ones and store them.
Brussels Sprouts in Season
Butternut squash in season, whole and cut in half
Celery in season
When is celery root in season? How to pick the best ones and store them.
Grapefruits are in season in winter. More on picking the best ones & recipes.
Kiwi in season cut in half to show green flesh
Kumquats are in season in the middle of winter to early spring.
Mandarins are in season throughout winter and early spring.
Types of wild mushrooms, maitake, shiitake, portobello, oyster
When are parsnips in season? Pick the best ones and store them right to last even longer.
Winter squash in season

In-season recipes for February produce

It's no easy feat to cook seasonally this month. I've put together a collection of seasonal recipes meant to inspire and keep you from falling into a cooking rut (or get out of it, like the rest of us!)

The recipes include winter twists on classics like Caesar salad or pizza. There are also a lot of recipes to use the same old vegetables in a new way, like a parsnip spice cake with maple buttercream frosting.

Candied orange peels on a drying rack

Candied orange peels

Save those clementine peels you're probably still eating this month, and candy them. They turn into a delightfully sweet citrus treat.

Candied orange peels
These are easy and work great with oranges, mandarins, and clementines
Check it out
Candied orange peels in a basket next to fresh oranges
Mandarin orange chicken
Mandarin orange chicken with double the sauce. Flavored with fresh oranges, zest, garlic, ginger, and sriracha.
Check it out
Mandarin orange chicken in a sauce with broccoli, sesame seeds, green onions and rice
Roasted squash seeds on an oven tray, including pumpkin seeds, butternut seeds, buttercup seeds, and acorn squash seeds

Roasted winter squash seeds

Save the seeds from any winter squash you use this month and roast them in the oven. A low oven temperature makes for the crispiest seeds that never burn. Alternatively, you can cook them hot & fast, ready in 7-15 minutes for a super fast snack that is crispy and chewy at the same time.

Extra crispy roasted squash seeds
Roast any winter squash or pumpkin seeds at a low temperature for extra crispy results.
Check it out
Roasted squash and pumpkin seeds in a white bowl

Get more recipes for February and March.

Out of season options

While I try to do my best to stick to seasonal ingredients, I do rely on some out-of-season alternatives toward the end of winter.

Frozen blueberries

Frozen blueberries make great muffins. They should be used frozen (not thawed), and toss them in flour before mixing into the batter to prevent them from turning the batter blue.

Apples

Fresh picked apples have an amazing flavor and crispness to them. But thanks to commercial storage, some apple varieties can be stored throughout winter with only slight losses in flavor and quality.

Use apples from the grocery store in salads, muffins, or roasted along with a pork loin. I'd save pies and tarts for when they are back in season in fall.

Preserved fruit

Dried cranberries, cherries, and apricots are great on salads or paired with pork and chicken. They are also excellent in muffins.

Canned fruit, like pineapple, can liven up a stir fry or salad. It's not the same as fresh, but in winter, it can really save the day.

Bell peppers

Bell peppers are a summer vegetable in the US, and imported from the southern hemisphere in winter. They store and ship very well, giving us high quality options year-round.

If you are eating in season for flavor, bell peppers in winter will still be tasty. If you eat seasonally to reduce your carbon foot print, this might not be the best option for you.

February produce guide for what's in season. Grapefruit, blood oranges, mandarin oranges, kumquats, kiwi, brussels sprouts, celery, celery root, mushrooms, parsnips, and winter squash.

More seasonal guides

If you're wondering what else is currently in season, check out my calendars to see what produce is in season each month (and coming up soon).

Seasonal calendars
Get a full list of fruits & vegetables in season for each month.
See what's in season
January produce in season on a table
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    A practical produce guide, May 2025
  • Kabobs over the grill with text, "produce & recipe guide for June"
    The practical produce guide - June 2025
  • The practical produce guide: July 2025
  • Produce & recipe guide for what's in season in August, with figs
    The practical produce guide for August, 2025

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About the Food Geek

Welcome, I'm Veronica, your resident food geek - experienced recipe developer and gardener. My goal is to help you enjoy eating at home by knowing what fruits & vegetables are currently in season and the best ways to use them. To do that, I've put together seasonal produce guides and recipes with practical advice.

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