| While many of our favorite fresh fruits and | | | | family of fruits and vegetables which means that |
| vegetables are out of season during late fall and | | | | they are abundant in the antioxidant |
| winter, there is no need to despair! A plentiful | | | | beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a precursor to |
| cornucopia of nutritious and delicious alternative | | | | vitamin A and has been shown to aid in the |
| choices are available to enjoy during the chillier | | | | prevention of many types of cancer as well as |
| months, such as pears, apples, navel oranges, | | | | macular degeneration. It is also a very good |
| sweet potatoes, sweet bell peppers, grapefruit | | | | source of vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber |
| and winter squash. What about winter squash? | | | | (6 grams per serving or 1 cub cubed squash). It is |
| What are the various varieties and how can one | | | | beyond the scope of this article to list all of the |
| easily prepare this nutritional gold star? | | | | numerous health benefits of winter squash! |
| Although available from August through March; | | | | A couple of quick ideas for including winter squash |
| they are at their best from October to | | | | in your meals: |
| November during peak season. Winter squash, | | | | * Add cubes of winter squash to your favorite |
| member of the Cucurbitaceae family and relative | | | | vegetable soup recipe (butternut works nicely). |
| of both melons and cucumbers, comes in many | | | | * Top puréed cooked winter squash with |
| different varieties, including hubbard, turban, | | | | cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg and maple syrup. |
| banana, acorn, butternut, spaghetti, kabocha, | | | | OR try out this sample recipe: |
| sweet dumpling, gold nugget, carnival, delicata, | | | | Sweet Buttered Squash |
| butternut and pumpkin. Not all varieties are easy | | | | 1½ pounds yellow squash, sliced thin (peeling |
| to find and use in recipes. Hubbard squash is the | | | | optional) |
| least sweet type while the famous pumpkin | | | | 1 small sweet onion, halved and sliced thin |
| squash is the sweetest (also known as sugar or | | | | 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced in slender strips |
| pie pumpkin squash). Although they vary in size, | | | | 1 TB brown sugar |
| shape, flavor and texture, any of them can be | | | | 1 - ½-oz packet of butter sprinkles |
| used in recipes calling for winter squash. They are | | | | ¼ tsp fresh cracked black pepper |
| tasty and filling and can be used in casseroles, | | | | Place onion, green pepper and squash in pan and |
| pies, soups, or mixed with grains and beans. | | | | cover. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently. |
| Did you know that winter squash is actually more | | | | When squash begins to get tender, add brown |
| nutritious than most summer squashes? How | | | | sugar, butter flakes, and black pepper. Cook until |
| does the amazing array of nutrients found in | | | | tender. Serve immediately. Note: Only add salt if |
| squash support our health? Butternut and acorn | | | | necessary after tasting. Serves 6. |
| squashes are members of the yellow-orange | | | | |