Are you looking for something new and exciting to put into your meal prep routine? Here are five uncommon vegetables that can add flavor and nutrition to your weekly meals. These five unusual vegetables excite any dish, from the sweet, crunchy celeriac to the eye-catching kohlrabi.
Celeriac (Celery Root)
This knobby root vegetable looks slightly like a turnip but tastes like mild celery. It is delicious raw in salads or cooked in soups or stews. To prepare celeriac, cut off the skin with a sharp knife and dice it up for salads or roast it as you would potatoes. Whatever way you cook it, this unique vegetable adds an earthy flavor to any dish.
Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi looks like something from a sci-fi movie; its bright green bulb is covered in ridges and bumps. But don’t let its appearance fool you – kohlrabi is quite tasty. It has a sweet, mild taste similar to broccoli stems and can be eaten raw or cooked. Try adding it to stir-fries or roasting it with other vegetables for an unforgettable side dish.
Fiddleheads
Fiddleheads get their name from their resemblance to the curled tips of a fiddle’s neck. These greens have an earthy flavor that pairs well with butter, garlic sauce, or creamy dressings. Fiddleheads are best when boiled for four minutes before being sautéed with other ingredients – be sure not to overcook them. They are packed with vitamins A and C, making a great addition to any meal.
Rutabagas
Rutabagas look like large turnips but are more closely related to cabbage family plants than root vegetables. They have a slightly sweet taste that lends well to roasting, mashing, boiling or even baking loaves of bread and muffins. In addition, rutabagas contain high amounts of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure levels.
Salsify
Salsify is sometimes called an “oyster plant” because of its oyster-like flavor when cooked properly. Its long roots can be boiled, roasted, mashed, or even grilled over an open flame – whatever way you prepare it; salsify adds a delicious depth of flavor that stands out among other root vegetables. Its high fiber content also makes it great for digestive health.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean eating bland food every night. Instead, you can add excitement and variety to your diet by trying out some unusual vegetables such as celeriac, kohlrabi, fiddleheads, rutabagas, and salsify this month. Each has a unique flavor profile that can bring life into any dish, so try them all.
Happy cooking!