Winter offerings at the farmers’ markets include cabbage, kale & other greens, root veggies & Georgia pecans. December is a busy month for Christmas parties & dinners and then we usher in a New Year with traditional Southern dishes to ensure good luck. We’ve included some recipes that take advantage of modern kitchen like the air fryer to make a healthy, tasty side of Cabbage Steaks in minutes and Instant Pot Collard Greens for an easier and faster way to prepare this Southern New Year’s staple. And we couldn’t forget oysters—here we’ve put a local twist on a rich old favorite.
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1
CANDIED PECANS
The most difficult part of making these scrumptious cinnamon-sugar pecans is trying not to eat them all before sharing! They’re a welcome addition to any dessert tray or cheese board and make a great gift too.
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2
EGGNOG SCONES
It wouldn’t be Christmas without eggnog! Cinnamon, nutmeg, and an eggnog glaze make these scones ideal for a holiday tea or breakfast.
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3
TRADITIONAL TAMALES
Tamales are a Mexican Christmas tradition and this recipe makes enough to feed a large family! You can always make ahead and freeze and prepare only what you need.
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4
AIR FRYER CABBAGE STEAKS
From cole slaw to soup or cabbage rolls, a head of this fresh green a healthy and versatile veggie. A little butter, simple spices from your pantry, and 8-10 minutes in an air fryer are all you need to serve up this easy side dish.
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5
INSTANT POT COLLARD GREENS
Collard greens are one of the essential traditional Southern New Year’s Day dishes, but this recipe lets you cut down the cooking time by making them with the contemporary convenience of an Instant Pot.
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6
BROWN BUTTER SKILLET CORNBREAD
Cornbread represents gold in the traditional Southern dishes enjoyed on New Year’s Day to ensure good luck and prosperity. This recipe adds the richness of buttermilk and brown butter. You can never be too rich, right?!
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7
HOPPIN’ JOHN
A Southern New Year staple, black-eyed peas and rice are cooked up for a savory dish to ensure prosperity. Serve with pork, collard greens, and cornbread, of course.
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8
MILLIONAIRES CLUB OYSTERS
Some know this baked oyster dish for the name it was given for its richness: Oysters Rockefeller, but here in the Golden Isles, we think a nod to the wealthy family’s retreat on Jekyll is more fitting.
