While it seems like almost all fruit and vegetables are available year round, just because you can buy them doesn’t mean they’re good. Eating with the seasons – especially in winter – can have a significant flavour (and even nutrition) impact. Just as August tomatoes don’t compare to the pale imitations you find in January, there is some produce that is at its best December through February. Good winter choices include cabbage, leeks, celery, kale, parsnip, and certain varieties of squash.
Good vegetables for roasting – that I’ve taken advantage of in this recipe – include parsnips and acorn squash. And to maximize flavour while keeping an eye on calories these amazing veggies are coated with a super simple (yet absolutely delicious!) vinegar based marinade. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results of this food prep session – I practically guarantee it.
Highlights of making this recipe:
- Featuring many easy to locate (and generally affordable!) ingredients, all you have to focus on is the quick assembly to make this veggie side.
- The low temp and long cooking time roasted vegetables call for is just perfect to warm up the house in the depths of winter – and the fantastic aroma created contributes to the coziness ten-fold.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days – the lower, back portion of the refrigerator is ideal for storage as this is likely the coolest area.
- Eating with the seasons – as this roasted veggie recipe supports – tends to be especially inspiring in January. And we can all benefit from a little extra inspiration in the kitchen during the winter months.
Of note, roasting could be a fantastic addition to your meal prep routine because any other prep that you need to do (for that meal, or the following days), can be done while the pan is in the oven. Intrigued? Go forth and roast my friends! You’ll soon see what I mean.
Macros per 1 Cup (1/6 of Recipe)
Calories: 141
Protein: 2 g
Fat: 5 g
Carbohydrates: 21 g
Sugar: 7 g
Fibre: 6 g
Herb Roasted Winter Vegetables
Ingredients
Marinade
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cup sugar-free syrup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp hot sauce optional
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp dried savoury
Vegetables
- 3 cup diced white onion ~600 grams
- 3 cup peeled, cubed turnip ~550 grams
- 1 cup peeled, cubed parsnip ~120 grams
- 1 cup cubed acorn squash ~180 grams
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 Degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare all vegetables as outlined above, cutting cubes into approximately equal sizes.
- Steam turnips for ~10 minutes.
- While turnips are steaming, combine all marinade ingredients and mix well.
- Run steamed turnips under cold water to cool quickly.
- Combine all vegetables and toss in marinade.
- While veggies are soaking up the marinade, line two large baking sheets with tin foil.
- Spread marinated and well mixed vegetables evenly on baking sheets. Pouring any additional marinade over the vegetables.
- Roast in preheated oven for 60 minutes, stirring half way to promote even browning.
- Allow to cool for ~5 minutes after removing from oven.
- Enjoy!
