Color Your Menus with Nutritional Winter Squash

 Incredibly rich in nutrients, vibrantly colored winter squash are at their peak from early fall through winter. And they come in uniquely fun shapes and varieties, including Acorn, Buttercup, Butternut, Delicata, Kabocha, Turban and many more.

 
Nutritionally, winter squash offer great value by providing dietary fiber, Folate, Iron, Manganese, omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, B3, B5 and C. When shopping for winter squash seek out heavy squash with deeply colored, smooth skins—generally, the darker the skin the higher the beta-carotene content. Beta-carotene can help provide protection against the development of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Taste-wise, winter squash offer mild, sweet flavors. They are an excellent choice for casseroles, pasta dishes, soups, stews and more. And while cutting winter squash can seem like a challenge, due to their hard, thick skins, it does provide an excellent arm workout! And their thick skins increase storage life. These delicious winter wonders can be cooked in a variety of ways, including baking, boiling, microwaving, roasting, sautéing, simmering, or steaming. Don't let fall and winter pass you by without enjoying the terrific tastes and textures of winter squash.


Dislcaimer: The information on this module is not intended to be used as a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional about your health and the health of others, and before acting upon any recommendation made in this module. Please note that medical information is constantly changing, so some information may be out of date.