Summer’s bounty is filled with some of the tastiest and nutritious produce you could ever imagine. This is especially exciting if you have a difficult time getting your family to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and all they want to do is have ready to eat meals. Thankfully the change of seasons doesn’t mean you’ll be short on healthy options. The following are 6 interesting fall fruits and veggies that you’ll want to add to your family’s diet.
Apples
In order to help prevent colds and flu, you want to offer healthy food choices to your family. Although summer’s offerings such as watermelon, cherries, carrots and lettuce are palate pleasing to your family, fall’s harvest is even more interesting. Plus, many offer antioxidants and vitamins that can prevent illness and diseases when consumed regularly. While you may not think apples an interesting fall food, the varieties are bountiful. From Cortland and Honey crisp to Empire and Jonamac, apples are delicious no matter if eaten raw, added to a dessert, salad or jams. If you normally eat the delicious variety, experiment with something different such as gala, McIntosh or Fuji.
Beets
You should try to open the door to new food choices for your family each month as it’s a way for them to experience different flavors from around the world. Besides boxed delights gift baskets, snacks and treats, you can also do this with produce from your market. If you select typical choices of corn on the cob to accompany a meal, go for something different such as beets. Whether you select the multi-colored variety, reddish-purple, white or gold, they are at their prime in the fall. Add them roasted to your favorite salad or enjoy as a side dish. Beets are especially nutritious because they can help reduce your risk of liver disease, heart ailments and dementia.
Pumpkin
As a prominent member of the squash family, pumpkins are typically used in decorations. But they can easily earn their way into the hearts of your family when you bake them. Whether you peel, chop and roast the segments with olive oil for soups or puree and bake into breads or pies, pumpkins are a great source of beta-carotene. You can also cut open the pumpkin and roast the seeds in the oven.
Cabbage and Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage and Brussel sprouts get a bad rap from the food industry. But they are tasty and boast cancer-fighting properties. Found in both red and green varieties, cabbage can be added to soups, stuffed with meat and rice or served along with your next meal. Brussel sprouts are a tasty cruciferous veggie that is excellent roasted with salt and a touch of balsamic vinegar.
Pomegranates
You’ve probably seen this hard shaped fruit at the store and wondered how to eat it. Popular in juices and alcoholic beverages, the pomegranate seeds are a delicious fruit that can help lower the risk of colon and breast cancers. Although they can be messy and labor-intensive than grapes or apples, pomegranates are worth the additional effort.
Cranberries
Blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are at their peak during the summer months. But if you’re looking for a tasty fall berry, cranberries are a healthy and exciting option. Although a miniscule amount of the berries actually make it fresh to your market’s produce department, they are a great accompaniment when added to your morning bowl of oatmeal or in your favorite wild rice recipe. Fresh cranberries are also yummy candied or baked in your favorite dessert.
If you’re sad to see the end of summer go because you didn’t have to fill your family with rewards and promises in order to get them to eat healthy, you don’t need to fret. Fall fruits and veggies are just as scrumptious and super nutritious with the above tasty finds.
Suggested: Gnocchi is the perfect example of inexpensive and filling comfort food that has found its way into menus of top restaurants. Versatile and tasty gnocchi can be served with a variety of toppings and sauces.
