Root Veggies Recipes

During the colder or warmer months, these root veggies find their way into the spotlight and onto the plates of healthy eaters—and all for good reason. Roots are some of the most nutrient-dense vegetables around. While each has its own characteristics, they are almost universally a good source of several vitamins, iron, and fiber. 

Raw or roasted, baked or boiled, steamed or sautéed—there’s more than one way to enjoy these recipes.

KALE WINTER SALAD WITH ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES 

Colder months call for heartier textures!. Here is roasted root vegetables, candied walnuts, chickpeas, dried apricots, and greens are drizzled with a cranberry balsamic dressing. The result: a bowl that’s healthy, super-filling and nothing short of a work of art.

Ingredients: (serves 6 as an entree salad) 

10-12 oz. baby kale salad mix, washed

3 C. roasted root vegetables (preceding recipe)

3 oz. candied walnuts

1 – 15.5 oz. can chickpeas (garbanzos), rinsed and drained

3 oz. crumbled feta cheese

2 oz. dried apricots, diced

Cranberry balsamic dressing

Directions

1. For the dressing, puree 3/4 C. balsamic vinaigrette dressing with 2 oz. frozen whole cranberries (thawed) and 1/4 t. salt. Makes about 1 cup.
2. Assemble the salad ingredients in serving bowl(s). Drizzle with dressing as desired.

CUMIN-SPICED GRILLED CARROTS (serves 6)

The earthiness of cumin and heat of green onions balance against the natural sweetness of the root veggies, which are steamed first, then grilled to give them those char marks we all love.

Ingredients 

1- 1/2 lbs. fresh carrots, peeled and cut into sticks

2-3 green onions (scallions), washed and trimmed

1 T. fresh lemon juice

1/2 t. coarse kosher salt

1/4 t. ground cumin

1/4 t. ground black pepper

Directions

1. In pan or steamer basket, steam carrots until tender-crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain.
2. Get char-grill or grill pan very hot. Add carrots and scallions to pan until grill marks form and vegetables are heated through, 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Cut scallions into 1-inch pieces.
3. Toss hot vegetables with remaining ingredients. Serve.

ROASTED BEET & ORANGE SALAD (serves 6)

Colorful and seasonal, this dish not only looks pretty, it tastes just as light and fresh. It gets tossed with an equally fresh citrus vinaigrette.

Ingredients 

1 – 1 1/4 lbs. (2-3) fresh beets, peeled, sliced 1/4″

1/4 t. coarse kosher salt

1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper

Fresh baby arugula, washed

2 oranges, peeled, seeded, sectioned

2 T. flat leaf parsley, chopped

1 T. toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Citrus vinaigrette dressing (recipe follows)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375^oF (convection oven 350^oF)
2. On parchment-lined sheet pan(s), spread beets in single layer. Coat beets with cooking spray; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Bake until tender-crisp, 15-25 minutes. Cool.
4. In serving bowl, toss arugula, chopped roasted beets, oranges, parsley, sesame seeds (if using), and citrus vinaigrette dressing. Serve.

Citrus Vinaigrette: Add to bowl 2 T. fresh orange juice, 1 t. fresh lemon juice, 1 t. minced fresh thyme leaves, 1 t. grated orange zest, 1 t. grated lemon zest, pinch coarse kosher salt, and a few grinds of fresh black pepper. Whisk ingredients while drizzling 3 T. olive oil into bowl to emulsify.