Veggie Tips

Broccoli:  Broccoli is a real super food, and one that aids in digestion, lowers cholesterol, and increases mineral uptake into the body.  It also boosts the immune system, protects the skin, and improves ocular health.  In sum: eat your broccoli!! It is REALLY good for you!

Purple Carrots: These carrots are earthier than their orange counterparts, and, to the delight of my children, will turn your mouth purple when eaten raw.  Our favorite way to eat carrots is to cook them in a small frying pan with a little bit of water, a little bit of honey, a little bit of salt, and a little bit of butter.  No exact recipe needed here, just toss it all in the pan and simmer until the carrots are tender.  

Dino Kale: If you don’t like eating kale by itself, try adding the shredded leaves to soups or pasta!  I love it sautéed with olive oil and green garlic, with a bit of lemon juice and salt, and topped with a strong goat cheese.

Butternut Squash: If you are tired of eating butternut as a savory dish, try making it into a pumpkin pie, or adding some purée into your favorite muffin recipe.  I love it in sweet things and has so much more meat than a traditional pie pumpkin.

Leeks: I absolutely love the buttery flavor of leeks.  A member of the allium family, leeks can be used in place of onions, garlic, or chives.  The easiest way to clean leeks is to chop off most of the tough green top (leaving a little bit), and then make a cut right down the middle of the light green and white parts, splitting the leek in half.  You want to leave a bit of the top uncut.  Then turn the leek so that the uncut half is facing up, and make another cut down the middle, so that the leeks is cut into fourths.  Holding the uncut bit at the top, swish the ribbons of leeks at the bottom in a bowl of water. 

Rutabagas: A rutabaga is a cross between a cabbage and a turnip, and the leaves are also edible as a leaf vegetable, like kale or chard.  The rutabaga originated in Scandinavia, where it grows wild.  It can be roasted, baked, boiled, added to soups, or eaten raw in salads.