copyright 2019 Art of Living, PrimaMedia,Inc/Maria Liberati
Guest Blogger: Lauren Keller
If you haven't noticed..winter is well on its' way! And with a new season comes new seasonal foods to enjoy and new memorable dishes to create. While winter is often perceived as barren, the choices available for seasonal produce are far from sparse. Here are some produce items you can love until the spring rolls in!
1. Apples
Apples are in season for early winter! You can keep cozy with some seasonal recipes such as apple pie or cider, or just enjoy them sliced for a healthy snack.
2. Beets
Beets are largely farmed in the Upper Midwest, Far West, and Great Plains in the U.S. and are listed by the USDA as in season most of the year (Summer, Fall, and Winter) and in season for milder climates during the winter. Try them roasted, pickled, or as a beet salad!
3. Brussel Sprouts
These high protein veggies are in season all winter and perfect roasted, fried, sauteed, steamed, or braised as a side. You can even incorporate them into dishes like casseroles, mac n' cheeses, hashes, salads, and slaws for a delicious twist!
4. Cabbage
Looking to incorporate more leafy greens into your recipes? Try Cabbage! It's a versatile vegetable that can be used in a number of dishes. It pairs well with just about any meat, eggs, other vegetables - you name it! Plus, cabbage is low in calories and a good source of vitamins K and C.
5. Carrots
Enjoy carrots in a multitude of ways! Whether roasted, glazed, sauteed, in salads, soups, stir fries, carrots are the perfect side or a wonderful ingredient in a main dish. Try them in orange, yellow, red, white, and purple varieties!
6. Kale
This superfood is high in proteins and contains good fats and fiber - a great health food to boost your diet this winter! It's good sauteed, paired with meats, in salads, pestos, soups, and much more!
7. Leeks
Leeks are in season October through May with their peak season being in January. They are part of the onion family and are a great onion substitute, but can also be a lovely addition to many savory dishes or stand alone as side.
8. Onion
Speak of the devil, it's onions! Yes, onion is a Fall and Winter vegetable that we all know and love. Use onions to add some flavor to a savory meal or make them a star player in a soup, stir fry, dip, salsa, chutney, or fried, glazed, or grilled as their own dish.
9. Parsnips
Parsnips are a root vegetable and a cousin to the carrot. Likes carrots, they tend to have a sweet taste but some say even sweeter and more earthy. Try them baked, oven-roasted, or sauteed in a savory dish or even play up their sweet side by glazing them with maple or honey or puree with apples to make a parsnips applesauce!
10. Pears
Pears are in season Fall through Winter and are great in many sweet treat or one their own as healthy bites!
11. Potatoes
Potatoes are very popular and widely used in many recipes around the world. Enjoy these hearty root vegetables all winter long!
12. Pumpkins
Pumpkins belong to the same family as other squash and gourds and are an iconic Fall and Winter fruit (not a vegetable!). They're perfect in many sweets: pies, cakes, breads, cookies, and of course the pumpkin roll! However, don't be afraid to experiment with pumpkin outside of sweets. It's great in soups, chilis, hummus, pasta sauces, or roasted with other vegetables.
13. Sweet Potatoes
These root vegetables are available year round and can be prepared a variety of ways. Baked, fried, hashed, oven-roasted, or as a star ingredient, sweet potatoes will not disappoint this winter season!
14. Turnips
Turnips are a rich source of potassium and vitamin C - not to mention a tasty seasonal vegetable for winter! You can use them as a radish substitute and, due to their mild flavor, they can be eaten cooked or raw.
15. Winter Squash
Winter squash includes many varieties such as butternut, acron, and spaghetti squash. These are perfect for a taste of winter and are often great in soups that keep you warm through the season!
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