Winter days are right around the corner along with staying in and enjoying warm slow roasted vegetables and soups while enjoying the cold weather. With the weather, winter also brings shorter days and colder nights which might make it seem impossible to grow any sort of produce. What winter would be complete without warm bowls of chicken and beef soups dressed with hearty greens, carrots, potatoes, and celery. Or decadent pastas with buttery sauces and artichokes or kale. The only way to make these meals better is knowing you’ve grown your produce yourself and know exactly what has gone into caring for them.
Fortunately, there are several plants that can handle chilly weather and grow well even in harsher winters.
Winter Vegetables
These vegetables are excellent options for growing in the fall:
- Asparagus– Asparagus is a dinner side staple in the homes of people on low carb diets because of how high they are in nutrients and fiber. Enjoy them roasted with garlic salt and olive oil or dice and sauté them with spinach and grape tomatoes along fish.
- Broccoli– Did you know one cup of broccoli has the same amount of vitamin C as an orange? Between that and their high amounts of antioxidants there is no reason to feel guilty covering them in cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Cabbage– Low in calories and high in fiber and vitamin B6, cabbage is great for improving your metabolism. Use it in salads with kale, various nuts, golden raisins, and some balsamic vinaigrette.
- Cauliflower– Fun fact: cauliflower contains almost every important vitamin and mineral your body needs. Season them with garlic powder and paprika then broil them for a healthy buffalo wing alternative.
- Garlic– Rich in nutrients and known to prevent and reduce common illnesses, garlic makes the simple difference between your meal being packed with flavor or being bland and lacking.
- Kale– Kale is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet that can lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Wilt it into your next pasta sauce or throw it onto the oven with some sweet potato and chicken thighs.
- Lettuce - The salad superstar is great at hydrating the body and is one of the easiest vegetables to grow. Check out our lettuce growing series here.
- Mustard Greens– One of the most nutritious foods you can eat, mustard greens are an excellent source of vitamin C and K. Do yourself a favor and make mustard green curry, sarson ka saag. It is life changing,
- Peas– Green peas are so filling because of their protein and fiber. Throw them into a fried rice or blend them into a nice pea soup with some cream of mushroom.
- Radishes– Great for a healthy digestive system and containing anticancer properties radishes are a great under-utilized vegetable. If you haven’t tried them pickled and added to a taco, you haven’t lived.
Winter vegetables are just one of the many great things about this time of year. We're looking forward to ending the year on a high note and delivering you more information on ways to help and aid your garden through the winter months. Stay updated with our blogs by following us on Facebook and Instagram. There we will alert you whenever a new blog is posted.
