Remember The Seasons When Selecting Sides For Roast Chicken

Are you ever at a loss about what side dish to serve with roast chicken? After you've considered tips like Ina Garten's suggestion to choose the smallest chicken at the store, move on to choosing accompaniments based on the current season. During the holidays people tend to stick with more traditional side dishes like green beans and homemade mashed potatoes. But with significantly higher prices this year, you might consider choosing side dishes based on the season. We spoke to chef Russell Kook at the Bellevue Chicago, who says that seasonality is key. "Choose sides based on what's in season. In the spring, I love asparagus or fresh peas. Summer calls for raw tomato salads or charred corn," he says. "In the fall and winter, I gravitate toward comforting options like mashed potatoes or roasted butternut squash. A seasonal approach not only highlights the freshness of your ingredients but also keeps the meal balanced and vibrant."

But that doesn't mean you have to limit your side dishes to hearty options during fall and winter. Did you know that citrus fruits tend to reach their peak after temperatures dip? If you're in the northern hemisphere at the end of the year, look for citrus like oranges, tangerines, and lemons. Use these fruits to whip up an appetizing and refreshing first course salad. You could even add a splash of citrus to roasted potatoes or asparagus for a bright pop of acidity.

When eating seasonally, the general idea is that the fruits and vegetables purchased will be at the height of their flavor and freshness. Grilling peaches and watermelons can produce divine results in the summer but is likely to be just sad in the winter. In other words, if you're looking to impress your guests, cooking with seasonal produce will help you prepare more delicious meals. And if you are budget conscious (who isn't?), locally-sourced, seasonal food can help to lower your grocery bill (you may also have to do some comparison shopping, as when we compared prices at Aldi and Trader Joe's).

Another great benefit with season-based side dishes is the increased nutritional value. That's largely because foods that have to travel long distances begin to deteriorate in a process that lessens the produce's nutrition and certainly impacts its taste by the time it reaches the grocery store. This means those vital vitamins and minerals aren't at their maximum levels. So, make your roast chicken sides from seasonal produce for the best results.