6 Fruits and Vegetables to Eat This Winter

For some, winter might evoke romantic images of roaring fires, warm cocoa, and glistening snow. Others lament the onslaught of dry skin and slippery streets. But very few associate winter with the produce available during these cold months.

Despite what you may think, there are some exciting things happening in the produce section come winter (and yes, a lot of them begin with the letter "c"). Below are six fruits and vegetables that really shine when the temperatures drop.

Cabbage

Loaded with nutrients and packed with heart-healthy dietary fiber, a serving of cabbage contains almost half of your daily vitamin C content and all of your daily vitamin K. Cabbage is an inexpensive way to add nutritious crunch to any recipe.

Winter Squash

Winter squash is consistently on my lists of most powerful foods. Varieties like butternut, delicata, acorn, and kabocha are just some of the many choices. The vegetable's deep orange flesh houses dozens of potent antioxidants that keep you healthy all winter long.

Brussels Sprouts

These mini cabbages are becoming increasingly popular. Loaded with dietary fiber, Brussels sprouts also have properties that could provide armor against cancer and heart disease.

Carrots

There’s a reason carrots will always be on-trend: they’re pretty darn perfect. Not only are they a good source of antioxidants, carrots are rich in vitamins A, C, K, vitamin B8, pantothenic acid, folate, potassium, iron, copper, and manganese.

Celeriac

Celeriac doesn't get the attention it deserves; in fact, many people wouldn't even recognize it. While it's much less starchy than potatoes, it can be prepared in similar ways—mashed celery root is wonderfully satisfying. Packed with fiber and other micronutrients, it’s definitely a vegetable with which you should experiment.

Clementines

Delicious and easy to peel, this adorable fruit has been a staple in children’s lunchboxes for years. A cross between a sweet orange and a mandarin, the clementine—like other citrus fruit—contain a ton of vitamin C and folate, which helps to keep your immune system in check. The clementines also contain nutrients like magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium. It's an easy and nutritious snack for everyone—not just kids!