Try This! New Fruits & Veggies to Enjoy

By Healthy Living Consultant Shari Steinbach MS, RDN

Did you know that most shoppers actually buy the same five or six produce items each week? If you crave something new, Buehler’s produce department offers some of the best variety around. If you aren’t exploring our options and trying new products, you may be missing out on some delicious items that can add excitement, and a wide of health benefits to your meals and snacks.

Below is a guide to a few items you may not have tried to help you venture outside of your produce comfort zone. The next time you shop Buehler’s, add one or more of these items to your list and explore other products you may want to try. To make things more fun, challenge your family to try one new produce item each time you grocery shop this month. Who knows, you may find some new favorites! And remember, eating a wide range of fruits and veggies increases the variety of vitamins and minerals you give your body to promote overall health and wellbeing.

Parsnips – Parsnips are a root vegetable packed with fiber and vitamin C. If you’re a fan of carrots this is a great product to try! They are creamy yellow-beige in color and are usually cooked but can also be eaten raw. Parsnips can be used in the same ways as carrots, but they are actually sweeter. They can be baked, sauteed, steamed, mashed or roasted and are delicious in soups and stews.

Mango – Mangos are one of the most popular fruits in the world. They are the succulent, aromatic fruits of an evergreen tree.  In addition to sumptuous tropical flavor, mangos deliver nutritional value – 3/4 cup of mango provides 50% of your daily vitamin C, 8% of your daily Vitamin A and 8% of your daily vitamin B6 along with 7% of your daily fiber. Use mangos in smoothies, fruit salads, salsa, black bean dishes. Check out more recipes here and learn how to cut a mango here.

Jackfruit – This tropical tree fruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, weighing up to 40 lbs. or more. A 3-1/2 oz. serving has about 95 calories and 2 grams of protein along with a variety of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that have health benefits. Unripe jackfruit has a neutral flavor that pairs will with savory dishes and its stringy texture makes a good vegan substitute for pulled pork or chicken. Ripe jackfruit has a sweet, tropical flavor that works well as a snack or added to sweet dishes. If you’re looking for a convenient way to try Jackfruit, Buehler’s sells The Jackfruit Company recipe-ready, seasoned products.

EggplantA slightly sweet, tender fruit covered with a shiny skin that ranges in color from dark purple, which is the most familiar, to red, yellow, green, or white. Eggplants are members of the nightshade family that include the potato and tomato, which makes them technically a fruit but they are generally thought of and prepared as a vegetable. Eggplant is low in calories and fat but high in fiber. It is a source of potassium, iron and protein. Eggplant is excellent when stuffed with a variety of ingredients or cooked using one of several methods, such as sautéing, frying, broiling, baking, grilling, or slowly cooking in meat, rice, or cheese dishes and stews. When prepared on their own they are sometimes breaded or battered before cooking and can also be substituted for pasta in lasagna dishes.

Asian PearsThey are true pears, but look more like apples and they are ready to eat as soon as you buy them. Asian pears are firm but will continue to ripen, so if you’re not going to get to them quickly, keep them in the refrigerator—but let them come back up to room temperature before eating to enjoy their full flavor. Asian pears are great used in recipes or simply eaten out of hand. Their crispness works well in slaws and salads – dice and add them to chicken salad; slice thinly and toss them with mixed lettuces, nuts, and vinaigrette; or julienne and add them to a slaw. They pair wonderfully with pungent cheeses like blue or Gouda, and can be sautéed and served with pork.

 

Root to Leaf Pinterest Board

Celebrate National Fruits and Vegetables Month in September by using everything from root to leaf and in between.

How to Use Radish Greens (pin this page: https://www.loveandlemons.com/radish-greens/)

Carrot Top Chimichurri (pin this page: https://www.forkintheroad.co/carrot-top-chimichurri/)

8 Tasty Ways to Use Broccoli Stems (https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/broccoli-stems/)

Vegetarian Corn Cob Broth (https://www.tastingtable.com/cook/recipes/corn-stock-summer-cob-fresh-recipe)

Amazing Uses for Citrus Peels (https://www.thespruce.com/amazing-uses-for-citrus-peels-1708647)

Three Ways to Eat Watermelon Rind (https://www.watermelon.org/the-slice/three-ways-to-eat-watermelon-rind/)

7 Uses for Leftover Apple Peels (https://www.thekitchn.com/7-ways-to-use-leftover-apple-peels-236766)

Banana Peel Carnitas (https://sweetpotatosoul.com/banana-peel-recipe-vegan-carnitas/)

Try This! New Fruits & Veggies to Enjoy

By Healthy Living Consultant Shari Steinbach MS, RDN

Did you know that most shoppers actually buy the same five or six produce items each week? If you crave something new, Buehler’s produce department offers some of the best variety around. If you aren’t exploring our options and trying new products, you may be missing out on some delicious items that can add excitement, and a wide of health benefits to your meals and snacks.

Below is a guide to a few items you may not have tried to help you venture outside of your produce comfort zone. The next time you shop Buehler’s, add one or more of these items to your list and explore other products you may want to try. To make things more fun, challenge your family to try one new produce item each time you grocery shop this month. Who knows, you may find some new favorites! And remember, eating a wide range of fruits and veggies increases the variety of vitamins and minerals you give your body to promote overall health and wellbeing.

Parsnips – Parsnips are a root vegetable packed with fiber and vitamin C. If you’re a fan of carrots this is a great product to try! They are creamy yellow-beige in color and are usually cooked but can also be eaten raw. Parsnips can be used in the same ways as carrots, but they are actually sweeter. They can be baked, sauteed, steamed, mashed or roasted and are delicious in soups and stews.

Mango – Mangos are one of the most popular fruits in the world. They are the succulent, aromatic fruits of an evergreen tree.  In addition to sumptuous tropical flavor, mangos deliver nutritional value – 3/4 cup of mango provides 50% of your daily vitamin C, 8% of your daily Vitamin A and 8% of your daily vitamin B6 along with 7% of your daily fiber. Use mangos in smoothies, fruit salads, salsa, black bean dishes. Check out more recipes here and learn how to cut a mango here.

Jackfruit – This tropical tree fruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, weighing up to 40 lbs. or more. A 3-1/2 oz. serving has about 95 calories and 2 grams of protein along with a variety of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that have health benefits. Unripe jackfruit has a neutral flavor that pairs will with savory dishes and its stringy texture makes a good vegan substitute for pulled pork or chicken. Ripe jackfruit has a sweet, tropical flavor that works well as a snack or added to sweet dishes. If you’re looking for a convenient way to try Jackfruit, Buehler’s sells The Jackfruit Company recipe-ready, seasoned products.

EggplantA slightly sweet, tender fruit covered with a shiny skin that ranges in color from dark purple, which is the most familiar, to red, yellow, green, or white. Eggplants are members of the nightshade family that include the potato and tomato, which makes them technically a fruit but they are generally thought of and prepared as a vegetable. Eggplant is low in calories and fat but high in fiber. It is a source of potassium, iron and protein. Eggplant is excellent when stuffed with a variety of ingredients or cooked using one of several methods, such as sautéing, frying, broiling, baking, grilling, or slowly cooking in meat, rice, or cheese dishes and stews. When prepared on their own they are sometimes breaded or battered before cooking and can also be substituted for pasta in lasagna dishes.

Asian PearsThey are true pears, but look more like apples and they are ready to eat as soon as you buy them. Asian pears are firm but will continue to ripen, so if you’re not going to get to them quickly, keep them in the refrigerator—but let them come back up to room temperature before eating to enjoy their full flavor. Asian pears are great used in recipes or simply eaten out of hand. Their crispness works well in slaws and salads – dice and add them to chicken salad; slice thinly and toss them with mixed lettuces, nuts, and vinaigrette; or julienne and add them to a slaw. They pair wonderfully with pungent cheeses like blue or Gouda, and can be sautéed and served with pork.

5 Ways to Enjoy the Power of Cauliflower

By Healthy Living Consultant Annette Maggi, MS, RDN, LD, FAND

No matter what eating plan you follow (plant-forward, low carb, Mediterranean Diet, Whole 30), cauliflower is the perfect vegetable to include with just 20 calories and 4 grams carbohydrates per half-cup serving. Buehler’s offers a variety of forms – everything from riced cauliflower to whole heads to tots and hashbrowns – making it easy to add this powerhouse veggie to your weekly menus. Here are five ways to enjoy the power of cauliflower:

Roast the Whole Head: Trim and clean a whole head of cauliflower. Mix garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper into a cup of non-fat, plain Greek yogurt. Place cauliflower on lightly greased baking sheet. Spread generously with yogurt-spice mixture. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

Taco Tuesday Tortilla Take-Over: Make veggie tortillas by first cooking about 4 cups of riced cauliflower (available fresh or frozen at Buehler’s). Put cooked vegetable into lightweight kitchen towel, twist towel to remove moisture from cauliflower. Mix cauliflower with two eggs, salt, pepper, cumin and Cheyenne pepper. Mound ¼ cup scoops onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper and use spatula to flatten into circles. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-9 minutes, flip tortillas and cook for another 8-9 minutes. Serve immediately with your favorite taco fillings.

Cauliflower Steaks: Trim and clean a large, whole head of cauliflower. Cut into 1-inch thick slices. Lightly brush each side with vegetable oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes, flipping once during process. Serve topped with marinara sauce and parmesan cheese, pesto, or chimichurri sauce.

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese: Cut head of cauliflower into florets. Toss lightly with vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast on baking sheet at 450 degrees for 10-15 minutes, until tender and crisp. Heat ½ cup 2% milk with one tablespoon butter just to warm. Slowly add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, stirring to create cheese sauce. Toss cauliflower with cheese sauce and serve.

Global Rice Options: For Greek-inspired rice, cook and cool cauliflower rice; add chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, onion, parsley, and feta cheese and top with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice. As a side for Asian dishes, cook cauliflower rice with garlic, scallions, red bell pepper, fresh ginger, frozen peas, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. Add Sriracha for a heat kick. For a Mexican flare, cook cauliflower rice with garlic, jalapeno, onion, cumin, paprika, chopped tomatoes, cilantro and lime juice.