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