Here are five great vegetables that are easily accessible all through winter. I’ve added healthy and delicious ideas so that you can get cooking by following the easy step-by-step recipes from my blog.

In the end of winter and early spring it takes effort and more than a little inspiration to get some appetizing vegetables on the plates. It seems that all you see in the stores are potatoes, carrots and turnips. It is so easy to get stuck in the comfort food zone and neglect eating enough vegetables. Read on for a little bit of inspiration. You’ll have no need to eat only pasta or rice until springtime. Vegetable-based foods can be comfy, delicious and beautiful.

Winter vegetables are often overlooked and let’s be honest they are used without much imagination. For your next meals, here are 5 lovely vegetables that all definitely deserve a place of honor on your menu. Discover their superpowers and delicious recipe ideas to get cooking right now!

5 Wonderful Winter Vegetables

1. Kale

Virtues and benefits:

• Very nutritious.
• Powerful antioxidant.
• May lower cholesterol levels.
• Good source of plant-based calcium, needed for strong bones and teeth.
• Helps maintain a healthy blood pressure.
• Helps lower the risk of age-related eye sight degeneration and cataracts.

Recipe idea: Kale Chips

Crispy, crunchy and addictive chips that are good for you. Absolutely perfect for a healthy option on the appetizer table!

2. Beetroot

Virtues and benefits:

• Can decrease elevated blood pressure levels which leads to a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Contains dietary nitrates that may enhance athletic performance. May enhance athletic performance by improving oxygen use and endurance.
• May help fight inflammation.
• Good source of fiber, which benefits your digestive health and reduces the risk of several chronic health conditions.
• May increase blood flow to the brain and improve cognitive function.

Recipe idea: Pink Hummus

A bright pink creamy spread that has converted quite a few beetroot-skeptics already!

3. Onion

Virtues and benefits:

• Lots of nutrients, which means, that they are low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals.
• Helps with high blood pressure.
• Helps contain blood sugar.
• Boosts bone intensity – stronger bones.
• Antibacterial.
• Boosts digestive health.
• Benefits the immune system

Recipe idea: French Onion Soup

Do I need to say more? I could… Code words: “caramelized”, “homemade garlicky croutons”, “grilled cheese lid”.

4. Cauliflower

Virtues and benefits:

• Very nutritious. Cauliflower is very low in calories yet high in vitamins. In fact, cauliflower contains some of almost every vitamin and mineral that you need.
• Rich in fiber which is important for digestive health and helps prevent constipation.
• May reduce the risk of several chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity.
• Helps in weight loss.
• May support hormonal balance.

Recipe idea: Sheet-pan Chicken and Vegetables

One of the easiest ways to prep dinner is to throw all ingredients on a sheet pan and let the oven do its magic. Oven-roasted cauliflower is definitely part of the magical realm😍.

Squash

Virtues and benefits:

• Contains lots of potassium which is key to a heart-healthy diet, especially for lowering blood pressure.
• Has a lot of beta-carotene that is excellent for your eyes.
• Supports a healthy immune system.

Recipe idea: Spicy Coconut-Pumpkin Soup

A delicious silky soup with warm notes from the spices.

I hope you got some inspiration here. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for more tips and recipes.

If you are anything like me you might need some boosting ip in the colder seasons. I definitely sometimes feel a bit under the water with the gray winter weather and all the responsibilities that are picking up their pace.

As usual I try to find solutions through eating 😁. So I put together a guide of 10 mood-boosting foods!

Go check it out and you’ll get an idea of foods that can transform your mood and as a bonus you’ll have 6 smoothie ideas! Smoothies are a great way to get more fruit and vegetables in your diet and these 6 recipes will also help make your mood a bit brighter!