Winter Sucks for Fresh Food Choices!

TracyL0228

Is it me or does this time of year suck for fresh fruit and veggies?

I love eating fresh fruit and veggies and I find it difficult to satisfy that craving this time of year. Are there some great winter veggies and fruit that I am not aware of?

beethedreamer

SQUASH! spaghetti squash. butternut squash. acorn squash.

i think oranges are in season too. and brussel sprouts.

haha that's all i can think of off the top of my head.

MzBug

Winter time is when you fall back to the good organic frozen stuff. The fresh fruit that is imported usually has no flavor and is expensive to boot! There are some good squash recipes in the recipe board. Salad greens are year round. Other than that it is hunker down for spring and learn your frozen food section.

melodyg

Butternut squash!!!!!

Also apples, oranges, tangerines for fruit

I completely agree that winter is time for frozen veggies too.

abyt42

beans (green), broccoli, cabbage, parsnips, beets, carrots, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, pomegranite, citrus, some apples, holiday grapes, yams, chard, roasted onions, spinach, mushrooms, sprouts, jerusalem artichokes (which are amazing roasted).



(my "vegetables I don't deem edible list" includes some of my mom's favorites, so kohlrobi, parsnips, rutabegas, turnips, and acorn squash get added to the fresh food choices for this time of year.)

red01angel

INCREDIBLE seasonal recipe for acorn squash that tastes like creamy, cheesy tacos:

* 3 acorn squash, (3/4-1 pound each)
* 5 ounces bulk turkey sausage
* 1 small onion, chopped
* 1/2 medium red bell pepper,chopped
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon chili powder
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 2 cups chopped cherry tomatoes
* 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed (see Tip)
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* Several dashes hot red pepper sauce, to taste
* 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. Cut squash in half horizontally. Scoop out and discard seeds. Place the squash cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until tender, about 45 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, lightly coat a large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, stirring and breaking up with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring often, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, chili powder and cumin; cook for 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, beans, salt and hot sauce, scraping up any browned bits. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until the tomatoes are broken down, 10 to 12 minutes.
4. When the squash are tender, reduce oven temperature to 325°. Fill the squash halves with the turkey mixture. Top with cheese. Place on the baking sheet and bake until the filling is heated through and the cheese is melted, 8 to 10 minutes.

Per serving: 259 calories; 7 g fat (4 g sat, 1 g mono); 29 mg cholesterol; 38 g carbohydrates; 15 g protein; 7 g fiber; 482 mg sodium; 884 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (80% daily value), Vitamin A (45% dv), Calcium (20% dv), Iron (15% dv)

4lafz

I love lots of squash. Just tonight had italian squash steamed with a diced garlic clove. Earlier this week I did Acorn squash roast 30 mins (remove seeds and place on cookie sheet) - then fill cavity with diced apples, a squeeze of lemon, cinnamon, sage and a drizzle of sugar free maple syrup - roast another 30 mins - all at 400 degrees. Serves as my starch AND my veggie - Yummy! Roasted root veggies with sweet potatos are wonderful too. Many that I did not have growning up are yummy when done like this (as I learned one Thanksgiving). Herbs or your choice, a drizzle of olive oil and s & p is all you need.

TracyL0228

Its sounds like I am going to have to start liking squash LOL. Thanks for all the suggestions and the Recipe!! I know this will help a lot!!

Lyadeia

Maybe it depends on where you shop? I go to Harris Teeter and buy basically the same kinds of things year round with a few exceptions like watermelon in the summer.