Winter is a time to revel in the warmth of food. The season brings with it the wealth of nutrition from a range of vegetables & fruits that are available in our grocery stores and vegetable vendors.
From sarson ka saag made from luscious mustard greens to gajar ka halwa and kanji made from red carrots and beets, delicious soups, to shorbas and to delicious vegetable curries Indian cuisine has a number of ways to accommodate the nutrition from winter fruits & vegetables in every course of the meal.
Top 10 Winter Fruits & Vegetables
Carrot
This vegetable has the highest amount of carotene when compared to other fruits and vegetables. In addition, it is an excellent source for vitamin B, C, D, E, and K. You can eat them raw or cook them as you wish.
Oranges
This fruit is the best source of vitamin C and helps your body fight against germs and gives potassium, minerals, folate, and fiber. Above all, it is low in calories. Oranges can help fight off cancer-causing radicals.
Apple
All of us know that “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Well, you can have this winter fruit at an affordable price during winter and opt for it as your midday snack and enjoy the benefits. The anti-oxidants that are present in it enhance the performance of the nervous system.
Turnip
This is a root vegetable in size of an apple. It has a sweet taste and starchy texture and contains fiber, folates, vitamins, and minerals and the best turnips come in the market during winter.
Mustard Leaves
This is a winter crop that is highly nutritious. Several vital antioxidants, carotenes, vitamins, and minerals are there in its fresh green leaves. Include the goodness of this food in your diet this winter and get the benefits.
Fenugreek Leaves
In India, fenugreek leaves are known as ‘Methi’ which is loaded with vitamins and minerals along with lots of fiber and phytonutrients. It helps in lowering cholesterol and blood sugar level along with many more and overall health benefits.
Spinach
Spinach leaves are one of the healthiest vegetables in the world. It contains flavonoids and carotenoids which are antioxidants along with lots of vitamins and minerals. It is rich in vitamin A, C, and K and contains omega-3 fatty acids. If you want to get complete nutrition, avoid boiling or cooking it too much.
Peas
This vegetable is rich in Vitamin – K and contains essential B – Complex vitamins. It has all the necessary minerals along with folic acid and ascorbic acid. It is not just eaten after being cooked with other vegetables, but you can have it raw in salads and add it to soups. It provides you with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
Radish
Radish is available in abundance during the winter season. They are pungent or sweet in taste and provide you with potassium, lots of fiber, folic acid, and ascorbic acid. You can either cook it in your way or even eat it raw. Mooli ka paratha is a north Indian winter favourite and with good reason.
Beets
Beets can be consumed throughout the year, but they are the best ones during the winter season. Low in fat and cholesterol, beetroots help detoxify the system and also boost immunity, due to the presence of vitamin C in them. They’re great for hair and skin as well, all thanks to the presence of antioxidants.
In winter the body metabolism is low and so it is advisable to take fruits and vegetables that are low in calories and have dense nutrients. Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables is healthier because the nutrient contents vary when grown in the off-season.