THERE can be no denying that late January and early February is rarely anyone’s favourite time of year.

While we are at the end of a bleak, grey winter, we can all get a little down, so it is doubly important to eat the right foods – not just because they taste great but also because of their healthgiving properties.

Fresh air and exercise and a big helping of fresh veg can work wonders – so why not take a bracing walk down to your local Worcestershire farmers’ market and pick up some winter greens.

These cover everything from broccoli leaves to chard, cauliflower leaves, kale, mustard, pak choi, savoy cabbage, spinach, spring cabbage, sprouts and turnip leaves. You are sure to find some of these on the stalls of Styan Family Produce, Vicarage Fruit Farm and Akiki Organics over the next few weeks.

All of these greens are gaining attention because of their cancer-fighting potential and have been shown to reduce the risk of breast, ovarian, prostate, colon and other cancers.

They are rich in beta-carotene, they help prevent diseases of the skin and eyes, are an excellent source of calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, B6, C and K.

When you’re buying winter greens, really young leaves, or leaves of the more delicate plants, they can be eaten raw in salads or stirred raw into risottos and pasta dishes. Older leaves will need to be cooked and have a reputation for being bitter if not cooked in the right way.

The first thing is to wash them really well to get rid of any grit.

If the stems are tender then use the whole thing as one ingredient.

If the stems are tough you can tear off the leaves off . The stems can then either be chopped into bite-sized pieces and cooked for slightly longer than the leaves or go straight to the compost bin.

Steaming them is not always a great idea if the leaves are bitter.

Better to try simmering them lightly in a mild stock, broth or even some wine.

Your next farmers’ market are on Saturday, February 6, in Victoria Square, Droitwich, from 9am until 2pm, and Sunday, February 7, at Royal Worcester Porcelain, from 10am until 2pm.

This will be the final farmers’ market at Royal Worcester Porcelain. From March 7 it will be held in Angel Place, Worcester.