Summer bounty may get all the attention, but there is plenty of quintessential winter produce worth drooling over. Here are 8 shining stars of the season.

Blood Oranges

Sweet and sour with a hint of floral flavor, blood oranges are like a holiday gift from Mother nature. Add juicy scarlet segments to salads, smoothies and salsa.

Recipe: Fennel Salad with Blood Oranges (pictured above)

Sweet Potatoes

Enjoy mashed, roasted or sliced Hasselback style! Sweet potatoes are a holiday staple, filled with inflammation-fighting nutrients like vitamin A and 5 grams of fiber per serving.

Recipe: Hasselback Sweet Potatoes

Grapefruit

Bursting with juicy flavor, sweet and tart grapefruit is hydrating and offers a hefty dose of cell-protecting vitamin C.

Recipe: Grapefruit Mint Salad

Butternut Squash

Peeling and chopping this oddly shaped winter squash is always worth the effort. It’s a stellar choice for a creamy soup without all the fat and calories. The vibrant orange flesh is rich in minerals including iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup

Pomegranates

There’s nothing quite like the sweet crunch of a pomegranate aril. Toss them with Brussels Sprouts (another winter gem) for a side dish that is as healthy as it is gorgeous.

Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate and Hazelnuts

Leeks

There’s no disputing that this flavorful member of the onion family is a low-calorie flavor booster. Often used a base ingredient for soups and sauces, leeks can also be the star of the show drizzled with mustard spiked vinaigrette.

Recipe: Leeks with Walnut Vinaigrette

Kale

Kale salad and chips are welcomed recipes but this leafy green can also be incorporated into soups, stews, pasta dishes and casseroles. Indulge in a batch of this cheesy and veggie filled dip for only about 100 calories per serving.

Recipe: Kale and Artichoke Dip

Cranberries

Give cranberry sauce the attention it deserves before and after Thanksgiving; these tiny berries possess antimicrobial properties that help protect the digestive and urinary systems. Add fresh and dried cranberries to baked goods, trail mix, hot cereal and sauces.

Recipe: Turkey and Beef Meatloaf with Cranberry Glaze