Discover New Roots
Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011
The Stew Mix being sampled in this week’s Produce Possibilities is an assorted and prepackaged mix of fresh root vegetables that have a proven record of being great for stocks, soups, and stews. Familiar vegetables like carrots, red potatoes, parsnips and turnips are included. Parsnips are sweeter tasting than carrots and richer in potassium. Turnips are high in vitamin C and bring a certain kind of freshness to the stew.
Also included in the Stew Mix are less common fresh root vegetables including sunchokes, rutabagas, black radish and leeks. Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem artichokes, are a good substitute for potatoes, carrying a nice woody and nutty flavor. Rutabagas, a yellowish flesh root, are a lot like turnips except they tend to be a bit larger and have different coloring than turnips. Adding freshness to the stew, black radish is a variety of radish that tastes much closer to a turnip and can even be enjoyed eaten raw. Leeks will bring a fresh seasoning that is necessary in stews.
Winter is a great time to warm up with a hearty roast or stew. The Valley Natural Foods Stew Mix adds a healthy variety of nutrients. You may be surprised to discover new roots; start with this week’s field fresh recipe and venture into adding the Stew Mix your own recipes.
