When you think of cold winter weather, fresh fruits and vegetables don't always come to mind. Though the warm days and farmers markets might feel far away, your need for produce remains the same. So how do you get the fruits and vegetables you need in the colder seasons? Move over, canned green beans: there's plenty of options in even the coldest of weather.
Think Seasonally: Depending on your latitude, you'll likely have to go pretty far afield to find fresh tomatoes in February. So mix it up a bit. There are plenty of vegetables that can be grown in cooler temperatures, and many more than can be stored throughout the winter. Kale, brussels sprouts, and swiss chard all thrive in the cold, and can even survive a light snowfall. Carrots, some squash, turnips, and parsnips all do well in storage, allowing you to buy locally throughout the season. Local fruits can be a little scarcer, but apples, pears, and other fall fruits can get you pretty far.
Embrace Frozen: Coming up empty on your search for fresh winter produce? Don't worry - you have other options. Take a wander through your freezer section and you'll see what we mean. Modern flash freezing technology does an incredible job of retaining both the nutritional value and the texture of fresh fruits and vegetables. Produce goes from the field to the freezer in one fell swoop, leaving you with shelves full of high quality frozen goods. Choose from the classics like broccoli, peas, or carrots, or mix it up a bit with some cauliflower rice.
Try a Powder: If fresh and frozen options still don't quite cover the gap, try adding a powder supplement to your daily routine. Greens powders, for example, give a boost of nutrients, enzymes, and probiotics. This supports your body throughout the winter while improving digestion and gut health. Or give beet root powder a try: all the benefits of beets in an easy to use powder. These powders can be added to a glass of water or incorporated into a number of recipes. Take a look through our blog for more ideas!
Roast Away: So you have some vegetables… now what? A light, cool salad just doesn't seem to do it in cold weather. So try roasting instead. Cut your veg up into small pieces, toss with salt, pepper, and olive oil, and let them cook in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes or so. First of all, they're delicious, but they're also a great way to work some extra nutrition into any meal.
Time to Stew: Stew is the ultimate winter indulgence, and the perfect way to end a day in the snow. Most stew recipes are easy to add vegetables to, and a simmering crockpot ensures dinner gets on the table with minimal mess or fuss. Try this simple stew (https://www.thespruceeats.com/slow-cooker-vegetable-stew-2246305) to get you started, or experiment by adding additional vegetables to some of your favorite recipes. Dig in - the sky's the limit!