Uncommon yet delicious
Usually people are too blinded by butternut squash and sweet potatoes to pay attention to the variety of produce that hits stands once the temperatures drop. Try these 10 uncommon yet delicious fruits and veggies in our favorite healthy recipes.
Radishes
A good source of vitamin C, radishes have a crunchy texture and slightly sweet taste. Cook them with a little salt or sugar, and they develop into a tender side dish. Or stir-fry them with other veggies, and they'll complement soy sauce perfectly.
Try this radish recipe:
• Cucumber-and-Radish Stir-Fry with Rice Noodles
Blood oranges
Include these tangy citrus fruits in winter salads, desserts, and drinks. Just like other varieties of oranges, they're rich in vitamin C and fiber. However, it's their deep red color that makes them an eye-catching addition to holiday meals.
Try these blood orange recipes:
• Shrimp Salad With Blood Oranges and Slivered Fennel
• Blood Orange Sangria
• Blood Orange Layer Cake
Snow peas
A stir-fry favorite, snow peas are low-calorie veggies packed with plenty of vitamins C and K. Their crunchy texture also makes them a delicious contrast in pastas. Just remember that they'll only keep for a few days in the fridge, so cook them shortly after you buy them.
Try these snow pea recipes:
• Shrimp and Snow Pea Stir-Fry
• Green and White Pasta Salad
• Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs With Edamame and Snow Peas
Cabbage
In a nutritional showdown, don't get cabbage confused with iceberg lettuce. A cup of this leafy veggie packs almost 100% of your DRI of vitamin K, plus vitamin C and fiber. And, like other cruciferous vegetables, it contains phytonutrients that naturally detox the body.
Try these cabbage recipes:
• Warm Cabbage Salad with Bacon and Blue Cheese
• Chicken Lavash Wraps
• Whole Grain and Italian Sausage-Stuffed Cabbage
Rhubarb
This stalk vegetable thrives in the cold weather and has a distinct tart and somewhat sour taste. Just like other tart flavors, rhubarb is best sweetened with sugar, honey, or fruit juice to balance out the acidity. And this low-cal veggie contains vitamins C and A and calcium.
Try these rhubarb recipes:
• Seared Duck Breast With Ginger-Rhubarb Sauce
• Lattice-Topped Rhubarb Pie
• Rice Pudding With Poached Rhubarb
Chestnuts
The fruits of chestnut trees produce a holiday favorite that is only in season for a brief time each winter (from approximately October–December). They're a good source of vitamin C, but more importantly, they bring a subtly sweet, nutty flavor to a variety of vegetables and breads. Fresh chestnuts may be tricky to find, so try bottled varieties or visit specialty grocery stores.
Try these chestnut recipes:
• Chestnut Soup
• Chestnut-Fig Stuffing
• Apple, Sage and Chestnut Stuffing
Artichokes
Artichokes come into season in early spring and then again in early winter. Though it may be convenient to buy them in a can, fresh artichokes are naturally savory and delicious. They're rich in fiber, vitamin C, and folate, which is essential for producing new cells.
Try these artichoke recipes:
• Warm Spinach-Artichoke Dip
• Goat Cheese, Artichoke, and Smoked Ham Strata
• Braised Chicken Thighs with Artichokes and Greek Olives
Persimmon
These sweet fruits have a unique texture that can be either mushy or firm. They're a good source of vitamin C and fiber, and are used to add a tangy flavor to salads. However, the fruit can also be blended into baked goods or festive drinks.
Try these persimmon recipes:
• Persimmon and Blue Cheese Salad With Walnuts
• Sweet Persimmon and Toasted Walnut Bread
• Chinese Chicken and Persimmon Lettuce Wraps
Kale
Kale is a delicious winter veggie that actually gets sweeter when the frost hits the ground. Plus its earthy flavor makes it a great addition to a variety of savory meats. In terms of nutrition, kale is a superfood, containing high amounts of vitamins K, A, and C, and even a bit of calcium.
Watch the video: Fat-Burning Recipe: Kale, Grapefruit, and Hazelnut Salad
Try these kale recipes:
• Kale with Caramelized Onion
• Mashed-Potato Cakes with Onions and Kale
Cranberries
You probably have your share of these tart berries on Thanksgiving, but they're so delicious—and healthy—that they're worth mentioning. Not only do they reduce the risk of certain infections, but they also contain vitamin C and may even improve HDL (good cholesterol) levels.
Try these cranberry recipes:
• Pear-Cranberry Pie with Granola
• Cranberry-Nut Bread
• Wild Rice and Cranberry Salad
