Some of the season%u2019s best, like parsnips, turnips, and winter squash, work well in the hearty dishes we crave as the weather turns cooler. These veggies are prefect additions to stews, soups and roasts. Other in-season items, like sweet potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin, are traditionally associated with the celebratory meals of the season.
Happy Healthy Holidays
| Author: Produce for Better Health Foundation | Posted: 12/11/09 | ||
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November is here and, more often than not, we notice frost on the ground as we hurry out of the house in the morning. Surely the growing season must be over. Not so! Plenty of delicious fruits and vegetables are still being harvested right now; and just in time too with autumn entertaining on the way.
Some of the season’s best, like parsnips, turnips, and winter squash, work well in the hearty dishes we crave as the weather turns cooler. These veggies are prefect additions to stews, soups and roasts. Other in-season items, like sweet potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin, are traditionally associated with the celebratory meals of the season. What Thanksgiving table would be complete without them?
Many fruits and vegetables enjoyed at that very first Thanksgiving celebration were native to North America, like sweet corn, cranberries, pumpkins and other winter squash. Sweet potatoes are also native to the Americas, but were not a familiar food far north enough to be included on that first Thanksgiving table. While venison was a familiar food to the Pilgrim settlers and a welcome addition to the feast, turkey was a truly American bird, not native to Europe or England. That’s why Benjamin Franklin lobbied for the turkey over the bald eagle as the symbol for the new country, because it was exclusively our own.
While most consider the turkey to be the star of the meal, for many, the great abundance and variety of fruit and veggie side dishes is really what makes Thanksgiving dinner the stand-out meal of the year.
Everyone can benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables, so fill at least half of your plate with them! Fruits and vegetables may help reduce the risk of many diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and some cancers. They are naturally low in calories and they provide fiber that helps keep your digestive system working well. Fruits and veggies are rich in vitamins and minerals that your body needs to feel healthy and energized; just what you’ll need before that game of flag football with all the relatives after the meal.
More seasonal inspiration can be found online at www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org. See a list of in season fruits & veggies there, and then search through the recipes to find innovative uses for your old favorites or inspiration to try something new.
There are many wonderful recipes calling for autumn produce that can make an appearance on the holiday table. Honey-Roasted Parsnips and Maple-Glazed Turnips are great seasonal side dishes for the Thanksgiving meal and is a welcome taste anytime the weather turns chilly. Turkey and Cranberry Stew combines the natural sweetness of sweet potato and carrot with the tang of cranberries. It’s another great way to incorporate the flavors of the season and to use up some leftover turkey.
If you’re in search of help for hosting that big meal, look at our autumn entertaining hints, and check out our other recipes online at www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org too!
Elizabeth Pivonka is President and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation. She is a
Registered Dietitian, and holds a doctorate in food and nutrition science. Her work has been published in leading professional
nutrition science journals, and she co-authored 5 A Day: The Better Health
Cookbook.
Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) consumer education foundation whose purpose is to motivate more people to eat more fruits and vegetables tp improve public health. PBH is a member and co-chair of the National Fruit & Vegetable Program, consisting of government agencies, non-profit organizations and industry working in collaboration to expand the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters® health initiative. Fruits & Veggies—More Matters is the nation’s largest public-private, fruit and vegetable, nutrition education initiative with Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators in each state, territory and the military. PBH’s mission is to lead people to eat more fruits and vegetables because it matters for their better health. The foundation achieves success though industry and government collaboration, and a variety of marketing and nutrition education programs.
