"winter vegetables" news and stories

Although fresh produce is arguably -- on the whole -- at its most glorious during the warmer months, this bountiful selection of winter's wares is certainly worth adding to your grocery list.

Flickr user Gato-Azul captured and created this colorful mise en place using fresh raw vegetables that pair together delightfully in terms of both aesthetic and taste. And while the assortment has an infinite amount of edible possibilities, as a collective it seems to be begging to be transformed into a satiating soup. With the addition of broth, hearty potatoes and carrots would provide a hefty base, augmented by the parsnip's nuttiness, and flavored with onion, leek and fresh sprigs of parsley. It's astounding how the most satisfying soups can be so simple to make.

Do you find your usual produce purchases to be vastly different during the winter months? Recommend your fresh cold-weather staples in the comments!

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During the winter, carrots are one of the few vegetables still being sold in large quantities. They are often planted in early spring, mature in early autumn, and are stored for winter consumption. They're a sweet and tasty source of vitamin A, and they're high in fiber.

Besides their vibrant orange color, carrots add a distinctive bright sweet taste to dishes. They can serve as part of a traditional crudités along with raw celery, broccoli, and cauliflower. Or, you can make them the centerpiece of a dinner table.

Below are 8 ways for carrots to accompany a meal:

1. Carrot and Almond Couscous
2. Cider-Glazed Carrots
3. Carrot Salad
4. Chilled Carrot Soup with Fines Herbes Mousse
5. Braised Carrots with Thyme
6. Sauteed Parsnips and Carrots with Honey and Rosemary
7. Carrots and Rutabaga Mash
8. Soy-Glazed Tofu and Carrots

What are some of your favorite carrot dishes?