If you’re someone who associates fresh produce with every season except winter—strawberries and asparagus in the spring, tomatoes and watermelon in the summer, and pumpkin and apples in the fall—it’s time to think again. Cold weather is ideal for certain vegetables, and among those winter veggies in season during the month of February are the ones you might have heard classified as cruciferous: cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and kale.
As far as names go, cruciferous is pretty appropriate. Even though it actually derives its name from the Latin word cruciferae, a reference to the cross-like shape of its petals, the word cruciferous almost sounds like a combination of “crunchy” and “sulfurous.” And why not? You probably associate most cruciferous vegetables with either the distinctive texture and bitter taste they have when they’re raw, or you think of the distinctive strong smell they have when they’re cooking. These sensations come from sulfur-containing compounds in the vegetables called glucosinolates.
The American Institute on Cancer Research notes that glucosinolates in cruciferous vegetables have lots of health benefits you’re not going to want to miss out on. They’re good for detoxifying carcinogens, limiting the production of cancer-related hormones, and preventing tumor growth.
These health benefits are what cruciferous vegetables have in common. Even though cruciferous vegetables all come in different shapes and colors (hey, do red cabbage and broccoli really look all that much alike?), they share these cancer-fighting abilities, as well as nutrients like fiber, folate, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and K.
If you have an aversion to cruciferous vegetables because of the way they were served to you in childhood, think again. There are ways to prepare these vegetables so that you’re happily going back for seconds (and with what we just established about their nutritive value, why wouldn’t you?)
Broccoli
This one is probably the best known of the cruciferous vegetables, and it’s also the most versatile because you can eat it raw just as easily as you can eat it cooked. Broccoli is a decent source of protein among vegetables—a single cup of chopped broccoli has 3 grams of protein for only 31 calories. It also has healthy doses of minerals like calcium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron.
Next time you’re setting out appetizers, be sure to include stalks of raw broccoli with the crudité, or toss some shredded broccoli and carrots with raisins, walnuts, and olive oil for a new twist on slaw.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower has gained a lot of prominence lately as a replacement for so many carbohydrates—and it’s easy to understand why. It has a mild taste when it’s cooked, but it has only 14 calories per half-cup. This is also a great way to incorporate vegetables into your day, especially if you have kids or other finicky eaters in your household.
Replace rice with cauliflower by pulsing or grating the cauliflower into rice-sized pieces, pressing them with a towel or cheesecloth to remove any excess moisture, then sautéing with a little bit of oil over medium heat until tender (about five minutes).
You can also steam chunks of cauliflower and mash them up with milk, butter, salt, and pepper as an alternative to mashed potatoes. (Your kids might not even notice the difference.)
You’ll want to make cauliflower a regular part of your routine this winter because, in addition to its fiber, it has high levels of vitamin C, which is good for your immune system.
Brussels Sprouts
Once you know how to prepare Brussels sprouts, you’ll wonder why they have a bad reputation. They’re delicious when slow roasted in the oven for 40 minutes at 400 degrees. Before you throw them in, be sure to coat them with olive oil, honey (to help them caramelize), salt, and pepper. As a bonus, this type of slow roasting will lessen the sulfuric smell you get when you try to steam or boil cruciferous vegetables.
Brussels sprouts are great from a nutritional perspective. Remember those compounds called glucosinolates that were mentioned earlier? Brussels sprouts have the highest level out of any vegetable. They’re also a great source of vitamin K, which Tufts University in 2015 reported is good for blood-sugar control and overall longevity.
Kale
Kale was a big food trend a few years ago, and for good reason—it’s full of vitamins A and C, along with minerals potassium, calcium, and iron, and it makes a great base for all kinds of winter salads. Toss it with grated carrots, raisins, diced apples, candied nuts, and a balsamic vinaigrette for a perfect side dish.
You can also steam kale and use it in place of spinach for most recipes (spinach is great, but it never hurts to vary the greens you’re getting). Incorporate kale into your next spinach dip, casserole, or, even, soup.
Cabbage
Available in green and red varieties, cabbage makes a great raw addition to salads or cooked addition to soups. It’s full of fiber—nearly 1 gram per every 10 calories—which aids healthy digestion and lowers cholesterol. Cabbage has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in the body, meaning it is good for warding off cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
Cabbage is unique among cruciferous vegetables because it is also enjoyed in fermented form—that is, pickled in vinegar or brine. Sauerkraut has been popular for years, but the Korean dish kimchi, which includes added spices, has recently entered the mainstream. Fermented foods are great because they deliver gut-friendly bacteria called probiotics, which boost your immune system and aid in digestion.
Roasted Cruciferous Vegetables
This is a simple recipe that emphasizes the natural flavors of the vegetables, with a little bit of lemon juice to offset their bitterness and some spices to give it a gentle kick. To incorporate more cruciferous vegetables into your menu, serve it alongside the kale salad described above.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 cup Brussels sprouts, quartered
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika and cumin. Toss vegetables in olive oil mixture and spread over a well-oiled or parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove from oven and toss with feta cheese. Salt and pepper to taste.
