on’t let the cold weather keep you from celebrating the flavors of the season. Winter is a great time for produce! There are many flavor-packed, versatile winter vegetables in season.
Sweet potato and winter squash lead the pack. They are very flavorful and highly nutritious. They are root vegetables, meaning they grow underneath the ground where they are able to absorb high amounts of minerals and other nutrients from the soil. They are also able to absorb important nutrients from the sun through their leaves. So they are really superfoods!
Most root vegetables are high in complex carbohydrates, which slowly break down into sugar in your body to give you energy. They are also high in fiber and phytonutrients, and low in fat. Additionally, they are generally high in vitamin C, beta-carotene, and contain essential minerals such as potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and small amounts of iron.
Root vegetables can be eaten in just about any way imaginable, and still taste great. The wide variety of flavors work well in a hearty vegetable soup, stew or casserole dish. You can bake, steam or barbecue them, and serve them as a side dish for your favorite meat.
Check out some ways to incorporate these highly nutritious .. and delicious.. foods into your menu!