Top 40 Healthy Recipes for Winter Fruits and Vegetables

       

A new year is upon us and, for many, that means resolutions to become healthier, happier, and even greener in our everyday living. Eating more healthy foods is a top three “new year, new you” goal. It is no secret, however, that eating fresh foods in the winter time can be a challenge, especially winter fruits and vegetables. But isn’t taking on new challenges what New Year’s resolutions are all about?

If you find yourself reaching for the same old fruits and veggies at the grocery store every week, you are not alone. In the United States, only 12 percent of people actually eat the recommended 1.5-2 cups of fruits each day and only 9 percent eat the advised 2-3 cups of veggies. Eating the same produce over and over again? It’s no wonder those numbers are so dismal — how boring! Break out of your usual mealtime routine and try something new this year. Here are some seasonal fruits and veggies worth featuring in your family meals.

40 Recipes Using Winter Fruits and Vegetables

Beets

These ruby red root veggies are packed with healthful vitamins (think potassium, Vitamin C, and magnesium). They are best enjoyed when roasted but can also be thinly sliced and enjoyed raw, pickled, or shredded into a slaw.

Brussels Sprouts

If you are looking for a Vitamin C boost, look no further than these tiny cruciferous crudités. One cup contains 124 percent of your daily value, not to mention being high in Vitamin E. Cruciferous veggies are also cancer-fighting super-foods!

Cabbage

Cabbage is one of the most affordable and healthy veggies out there. And it is incredibly versatile. If you’ve tried it one way and it wasn’t your cup of tea, here are a few other recipes to put into rotation.

Clementines

Not only are clementines packed with immune system-strengthening vitamins, but they also serve as a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth. The natural fruit sugar combined with the fiber of plant foods hits the sweet spot and has staying power.

Collard Greens

Another cruciferous wonder, collard greens can be shaped and molded into all sorts of recipes. They can be eaten raw or cooked down to nothing, seasoned with a variety of spices, and enjoyed by a variety of palates.

Grapefruit

The king of winter citrus, the grapefruit usually dominates weight loss plans. Even though a diet consisting only of the sour-sweet fruit is not recommended, grapefruits do contain tons of vitamins, minerals, and fiber to support a satisfied stomach and overall health.

Parsnips

These root veggies may look like carrots who’ve lost their color, but parsnips are their own thing. The smaller roots roast up to a sweet perfection and are great for mashing into a creamy side dish.

Sweet Potatoes

Get your Vitamin A fix with these delicious gems that can be roasted, mashed, sliced, fried, spiralized, or baked. Branch out into cooking with purple sweet potatoes to make your plate even more vibrant.

Which of these recipes will you try? What are your favorite winter fruits and vegetables? Let us know below or on Facebook and Twitter.

Katie Medlock is a writer, mental health counselor, and educator on a quest to make the world a better place. Her writing has appeared on Headspace, Inhabitat, Care2, Ravishly, and Chic Vegan. On her days off, you will find her cooking, catching up on nerdy podcasts, blogging at The Offbeat Herbivore (https://offbeatherbivore.com), or lounging with her partner and rescue dachshund.

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