Oct 5, 2021
By Stacey Stein
What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving? While many of us associate it with a sumptuous turkey dinner shared with family or friends, the holiday is meant to celebrate the fall harvest. And what better way to give thanks for autumn’s bounty than by showcasing local fruits and veggies at our holiday table?
According to registered dietitian Shannon Crocker, there are many reasons to incorporate locally grown produce when preparing Thanksgiving dishes, including supporting farmers and local economies. It also feels great to know where your food is coming from!
To get you started, here are ideas for some unique Thanksgiving dishes featuring three popular fall harvest foods.
Fall food: Apples
Nutritional cred: Aside from being a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants, Crocker notes that apples provide prebiotic fibre “that can help keep your gut healthy.”
Traditional uses: Apples are commonly used to make apple pie at Thanksgiving. They’re also featured in sides, apps and accompaniments.
Try something new:
Fall food: Pumpkin
Nutritional cred: Containing 245 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A, pumpkins aren’t just emblematic of fall, they’re chockfull of nutrients. The bright orange gourd is also a good source of vitamin C and potassium, is full of antioxidants, and provides a good dose of gut-healthy fibre.
Traditional uses: If you’re eating pumpkin at Thanksgiving, there’s a good chance it’s in the form of an iconic holiday dessert: pumpkin pie!
Try something new:
Fall food: Butternut squash
Nutritional cred: Packed with immune-boosting vitamins A and C, butternut squash is also a good source of magnesium and potassium, both important for heart health.
Traditional uses: At Thanksgiving, butternut squash is typically served mashed or roasted as a side dish.
Try something new:
The final word
Impress your guests with Thanksgiving dishes featuring local produce, carefully selected by you! Find a nearby farm and pick your own locally grown fruits, veggies and gourds. You can even make this a fun fall family outing – picky eaters may be more likely to eat fruits and vegetables they’ve picked themselves.
Oct 5, 2021
By Stacey Stein - What comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving? While many of us associate it with a sumptuous turkey dinner shared with family or friends, the holiday is meant to celebrate the fall harvest. And what better way to give thanks for autumn’s bounty than by showcasing local
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