With football underway and fall just around the corner, your thoughts may be shifting to holiday treats and goodies to cook. As you choose fruits and vegetables from your local farmers’ market or grocery store, you may find brightly colored produce that catches your eye. Here are a few suggestions for choices that not only brighten your table, but boost your health too!
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is one of those fall favorites that looks great and tastes great too. While you may think of pumpkin pies, it is also wonderful baked or added into soups. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and natural fiber.
Try baking pumpkin slices with a drizzle of olive oil and a light sprinkle of sea salt for a tasty side dish. Cooked, it is a healthy addition to oatmeal and yogurt. Of course, there is always pumpkin pie to enjoy from this wonderful squash.
Apples
Picking fall apples can be a fun family activity. Many apple farms have pick-your-own weekends, where you can grab a basket and pick all the apples you can carry home. Apples are high in natural fiber, making them a good treat to fill you and your kids up. They are also high in antioxidants, making them a wonderful cancer and anti-aging fighter.
There are loads of ways to enjoy apples besides just grabbing one and munching it. Saute them lightly with cinnamon as a side dish or to put on pancakes or waffles. Cut out the center core and add raisins, walnuts, pecans, cinnamon and honey and bake them in the oven for an old fashioned dessert.
Brussel Sprouts
Brussel sprouts are a wonderful cruciferous vegetable. They are high in antioxidants and soluble fiber, contributing to reducing LDL or bad cholesterol. They are also low glycemic and help maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Brussel spouts can be prepared in a number of different ways. Try cutting them in half and sauteing them lightly in olive oil and freshly grated ginger. They are also good roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper. Steamed, they are good with fresh garlic.
Pears
Pears are a great source for vitamin C and soluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps maintain good blood sugar levels and keeps you feeling full so you don’t snack between meals. Vitamin C is not stored in your body, so it is important to consume it every day. It helps repair damaged cells in your body and is an excellent cancer fighting antioxidant.
Fresh pairs are wonderful in yogurt or with cottage cheese. They are also great with melted cheddar or Swiss cheese. For dessert, broil peeled pears with honey and cinnamon and top with lightly sweetened whipped cream.
Fall is one of the best times of year for fresh harvested vegetables and fruits. Look for organic whole foods at your local grocery store or farmers’ market for the freshest produce.
What are your favorite fall fruits and vegetables? Share your favorite recipes with us in the comment section!
– The Alternative Daily
