What Are The Best Fall & Winter Vegetables?
The fall is officially here, and that means it’s time to set aside some of our favorite cold-weather vegetables for roasting. Roasted vegetables are a staple of any organic diet, making for a great snack, side dish, or even entree. At Organic Restaurants, we have some ideas about which of these organic vegetables taste great in colder weather and complement each other.
Winter Squash
It’s probably no surprise that winter squash is a good addition to the menu as the weather gets colder. It’s delicious when roasted, and loaded with protein, vitamin C, and more.
Pumpkin
This fall staple isn’t just good for carving. It’s delicious and full of nutrients too. While some opt for a pumpkin pie in fall and winter, roasted pumpkin can be just as delicious and quite a bit healthier. Pumpkins contain a lot of vitamin A and antioxidants. As an added bonus they’re low in calories. So these nutrient-dense veggies add a lot to your plate and can be a good part of any dieter’s weight loss plans.
Parsnips
Parsnips are a root vegetable, much like carrots, with a unique taste and plenty of nutrients to offer. Each parsnip you roast is packed with vitamin C, vitamin K, and multiple types of fiber. They make for a great addition to many meals, and they can be roasted by themselves or combined with another veggie they complement, like carrots.
Carrots
Speaking of carrots, these root vegetables also contain plenty of nutrients. They make for a healthy winter snack thanks to the presence of vitamins, beta carotene, and fiber. You also get a healthy dose of minerals like potassium. Much like parsnips, roasted carrots go well with many other kinds of vegetables and cold weather meals.
Beets
Much like pumpkins, beets are low in calories yet high in nutrients. Adding these to your roast vegetable dishes is a great idea if you’re in need of more vitamin C or folate.
Potatoes
Potatoes are more of a starch and don’t contain too many nutrients of their own, but they’re filling and good at absorbing other flavors. They can make a nice addition to any roasted vegetable dish, especially if you’re trying to make it a more substantial main course.
Brussels Sprouts
These surprisingly versatile veggies go great with other roasted vegetables and many different kinds of flavors. If you hated them as a kid, give them another chance.
Onions
Roasting onions on their own won’t make for a meal, but they’re a great addition to any other dish involving roasted vegetables. They add a bit of flavor on their own and can help bring out the flavors of other vegetables too. Yellow onions, white onions, shallots, and others can all go nicely with your cold weather veggies.
Parsley
Parsley doesn’t get roasted, but it’s a great garnish that complements every roasted winter vegetable on our list. Add it to your dish after cooking and see what a difference this small touch can make.
Make the Most of Your Organic Vegetables All Season Long
Now that you know which vegetables are great for cold weather roasting, you’re ready to cook up great, healthy meals all season long. Visit the Organic Restaurants website to learn more about organic food options and organic ingredients!