Parsnips are a pale coloured root vegetable similar to a carrot in shape & taste with a hint of sweetness when cooked. They are related to carrots, celery & fennel. Rich in potassium & high in fibre, parsnips are a great winter crop to be roasted, mashed or for use in stews.
This pear shaped winter squash is easily found at the grocery store this time of year. While the outside is a creamy beige colour, the inside is a vibrant orange.
Cauliflower varieties are available in a variety of colors aside from the standard white. While you’re not too likely to find any of the fun colors in the grocery store, you might have more luck at our local farmers market.
These little cabbages are often a source of heated debate: largely a love it or hate it food. Popular for Thanksgiving & other holiday meals, Brussels sprouts are a part of the cruciferous family of veggies which sport a generous dosage of anti-cancer sulphoraphane.
While technically a fruit, tomatoes are often mistaken for a vegetable. This nightshade comes in many colors ranging from purple through shades of red & pink, brown, yellow & green.
This member of the nightshade family is best known as the purple variety though there is a handful of other colors out there including orange & green! The nightshade family also includes tomatoes, peppers, potatoes & tobacco and causes inflammation in the body.
Our farmers market is a great place to shop and an even better indicator of what produce is in season. Soon, we’ll begin to see a wider variety of fruits & vegetables available for purchase and even better: consumption!
Another superfood from the cruciferous family, Italian green broccoli is the kind we most commonly find in our grocery stores & recognize as the healthy little “trees” on our dinner plates. This nutrient dense veggie is especially rich in vitamin A, and is a great source of vitamins K, C, B9, fiber & vegetable based protein.
This spring vegetable is a member of the lily family hailing from the Mediterranean. The slender green stalks are great steamed, roasted or grilled on the barbecue. About half of the few calories in asparagus are from protein, which is high for a vegetable.
Radishes usually either fall into the “love-’em” or “hate-’em” camp, but as with most veggies in this situation, preparation method is key. Radishes can have a spicy kick to them, depending on the variety which can aid in nasal drainage when stuffed up.
