FALL IS HERE.
The biggest breath of fresh air – literally! It has been a great summer – but super humid and hot. Especially in Michigan. I am ready for crisp mornings, chai tea, sweater weather, and all the root vegetable recipes. Hashtag #fallvibes – yes? Seriously! I love me some beets, sweet potato, and butternut squash. They are a great base for fall inspired eats! As you know, I am a huge fan of using pre spiralized veggies by Cece’s Veggie Co. Today I am sharing my three favorite root veggies, why they are good for us and how to enjoy them. Cece’s Veggie Co makes it so easy to prepare these veggies in different ways. Plus, they are all super delicious and so healthy!
BEETS
You can’t beet em (pun-intended, sorry I had to)! I love the earthy, yet sweet taste.
Why they are good for us:
- High in Antioxidants (help us protect against chronic disease)
- Promote Heart Health because they are rich in dietary nitrates (improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure)
- Lowers LDL cholesterol (the bad one)
- High in Fiber (3.8 g per cup) and promoting healthy digestion and satiation
My favorite ways to enjoy:
- Raw on salads
- Roasted on salads, toast, or flatbreads
- In a cold noodle salad with goat cheese, walnuts, and greens
- Blended up to make a beet burger
BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Squash season is upon us and I am SO happy about it. I am all about butternut squash. It is like nature’s candy and can be enjoyed in so many ways.
Why they are good for us:
- High in Antioxidants (help us protect against chronic disease)
- Boost Immunity – Butternut Squash is high in beta-carotene and vitamin A, which are strongholds of fighting inflammation
- High in Vitamin C, Potassium and Magnesium – all essential vitamins in minerals to keep us healthy. Potassium keeps our bones strong!
My favorite ways to enjoy:
- Raw on salads
- Roasted on salads, pasta, casseroles, and flatbreads
- Roasted and pureed to make into soup. Here is my fave recipe.
- Steamed and used to make savory pancakes.
SWEET POTATO
Is it just me or are SPs like the hottest food these days? I am OK with that. I love using SPs in my salads and a noodle replacement in curry dishes.
Why they are good for us:
- High in Fiber – helps us with our digestion, gut health and keeps us satiated
- Helps control blood sugar response by reducing blood sugar spikes
- High in Antioxidants (help us protect against chronic disease)
- Promotes Healthy vision – high beta-carotene levels help keep our eyes healthy
- High in Vitamin A – boosting our immune cells to fight off inflammation
My favorite ways to enjoy:
- As FRIES! I love baking Sweet potato noodles to make shoestring fries or toss on top of my salads
- Like butternut, I love roasting sweet potatoes to use as a base for soups. Check out another great recipe here.
- As a noodle replacement. If you cook with some curry sauce and add veggies you have yourself a super satisfying dinner! Perfect for the cool nights ahead of us.
I hope you enjoyed learning about my fave root veggies. Thank you to Cece’s Veggie Co for sponsoring this post. I am honored to work with companies, like Cece’s Veggie Co, who help us leads a healthy lifestyle.
Resources:
Sweet Potato, Butternut Squash, Beets