January marks the start of a new year and, for many of us, it also marks the first day of well-intentioned healthy-living resolutions. Whether you’re looking to lead a healthier lifestyle or simply consume more fresh fruits and vegetables, our January produce guide will help you in hitting your 2022 goals. Check out our fresh produce roundup below. Spoiler alert: it’s the season of cruciferous vegetables.
Broccoli
A cruciferous vegetable related to kale, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts, broccoli is high in many nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin K, iron and potassium. It’s also fiber-rich and packed with protein, offering a myriad of health benefits. Broccoli can be enjoyed raw or cooked, but studies show that gentle steaming provides the most benefits.
Beets
Beets are a superfood that have been enjoyed since antiquity, albeit only for their leafy green tops. Around the 15th century, the Germans and Italians began cooking up the root portion of the humble beet in soups and stews. These days, beets are a polarizing vegetable with an impressive nutritional profile. Not only are they nutrient-dense and low in calories, they’re widely-regarded as helpful in improving digestive health.
Kale
Another member of the cabbage family, kale is an immensely popular and versatile vegetable. While there are many different types of kale, the most widely consumed variety in the US is Scots Kale, which has green, curly leaves and a hard, fibrous stem. A single cup of raw kale is packed with nutrients despite only coming in at 33 calories per serving! Kale is excellent in salads and soups, or delicious when oven-baked into seasoned chips.
Cauliflower
Like other cruciferous vegetables, cauliflower is a member of the Brassica Genus family. Packed with more vitamin C than an orange, each cup of cauliflower contains about as much as 75% of the recommended daily intake. While cauliflower florets are delicious, don’t sleep on the stems and leaves. Both are edible and can be enjoyed steamed, roasted, pickled or raw.
Citrus
Contrary to popular belief, most citrus fruits are sweetest and juiciest during the North American winter, not summer. For this reason, January is the time to load up on blood oranges, Clementines, cara cara oranges, grapefruit and more, as these fruits tend to grow best during mild weather in the temperate southern regions where they’re grown. Citrus are loaded with nutrients and antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin A, and delicious in any type of dish, whether savory or sweet.
Leeks
A member of the Allium family, leeks are a type of onion boasting large flat leaves that grow around each other in a thick green and white stem. Leeks are believed to have originated in the Mediterranean region, where they were cooked for thousands of years in dishes such as shell beans with white wine and even leek soup. Leeks are high in vitamin K and have a sweet, oniony flavor that adds a bright zest to many dishes. When shopping for leeks, look for a straight and firm vegetable with a bright white neck and dark green, waxy leaves.
Trust the Produce Experts at Maglio Companies
Have the produce but you’re unsure how to prepare your haul? Check out Maglio’s recipe page for great new dinner ideas.
Have a produce problem? We’ll solve it. Drop us a line or call us at 414-906-8800.
