“When the seasons change, it’s time to shake up the menu and try out new recipes,” says Nancy Waldeck, a chef at Cancer Wellness at Piedmont. “I love veggies all year long and it’s fun how they roll in and out of season, so there are new options during different times of the year.”
Health benefits of winter produce
Winter fruits and vegetables have some serious health benefits.
“Lots of winter vegetables are good sources of vitamin C, B and A, and they contain antioxidants,” she says. “Vitamins like these can help the body’s immune system by reducing inflammation that can contribute to chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. They give the body the vitamins it needs during the cold months and to top it off, this time of year, root veggies are so inexpensive, so they help keep grocery costs low.”
Winter produce also contains fiber, which boosts digestion and helps you feel full.
What’s in season this winter?
“My favorite winter vegetables are onions, shallots, garlic and of course, root vegetables,” she says. “Root veggies can be used in soups, gratins, hash browns, fries and root vegetable chips.”
The following fruits and vegetables are at their peak in the winter months:
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Apples
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Beets
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Broccoli
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Broccoli rabe
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Brussels sprouts
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Cabbage
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Carrots
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Cauliflower
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Celery
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Celery root
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Citrus fruits (grapefruits, oranges, lemons, limes, tangerines)
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Fennel
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Garlic
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Greens
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Horseradish
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Leeks
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Mushrooms
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Onions
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Parsnips
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Pears
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Persimmons
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Pomegranates
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Potatoes
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Radishes
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Rutabagas
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Shallots
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Sweet potatoes
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Turnips
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Winter squash
The tastiest way to cook winter vegetables
“My favorite way to prepare winter vegetables is roasted, when the high-heat cooking reduces the amount of water in the vegetables and concentrates the flavors, making them sweeter and richer-tasting,” says Waldeck.
Once you’ve stocked up on winter produce, try Waldeck’s recipe for spicy carrot hummus with handmade corn chips or warm roasted veggie salad with herbed mustard dressing.