Root Vegetables

Root vegetables have been used in recipes all over the world due to their low cost, nutritious value, accessibility, and they store well. There are numerous root vegetables to explore beyond the carrot, potato, onion, and beet.

Though, sometimes they might not be the most attractive items in the grocery store, but they are worth bringing to the kitchen table.

How can you not love these underground treasures?

These type of vegetables offer you all you need to sustain a healthy diet. Whether you follow a vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian or any other diet.

Root veggie are rich in vitamins, minerals, high in nutrients and antioxidants and the good side is that they’re very low in calories.

What else can you ask, right?

Try mixing root vegetables within your recipes

There are many ways to enjoy your veggies. My favorite way to eat root veggies is by roasting them! It is a delicious and quick way to prep and enjoy. You could also try these hearty veggies mixed with salads, and or try them toasted instead of too many pastas and rice.

Tip: When shopping for root vegetables, go for the ones that are heavy and are firm for their size.  Do not buy if they’ve wrinkles or are a bit shrivelled, bruised, and/or have any tender spots.

How to store them?

They are best stored in a cool, dark area. Keep it in paper bags if humid conditions. Make sure you don’t mix fresh green leafy with root vegetables.

If you follow the tips above, these may last for around two weeks. They are considered a winter vegetable, though you can usually find them almost everywhere all year round.

Roots are best described as vegetables that have fleshy edible underground parts. If we let them grow, they would provide nourishment to the plant in order for the plant to survive.

Other aspects and attributes:

Root vegetables can also be thought of as storage organs enlarged to hold energy in the form of carbohydrates. There are three main types of roots: true roots (which include taproots and tuberous roots), modified plant stems (which include rhizomes, corms, and stem tubers), and bulbs.

Small but healthy root vegetables list

Taproots

We are most familiar with these as they are the main part of the plant that absorbs nutrients and moisture as it grows vertically downward. Most known to us of taproots include:

• Beet
• Carrot
• Radish
• Parsnip

Tuberous Roots

These are enlarged, roots that function as storage organs.

Examples of tuberous roots include:

• Earthnut
• Sweet potato
• Yuca

Rhizomes

Also known as creeping rootstocks. It is a fleshy horizontal plant stem that spreads below the soil surface and forms leaves above and thin roots below.

If a rhizome is separated into pieces, each piece would be able to produce a new plant, which is known as vegetable reproduction.

Examples of rhizomes include:

• Ginger
• Ginseng
• Wasabi

Corms

It is a short, swollen underground or underwater plant stem whose inner structure is made up of solid tissue. Corms differ from bulbs in that they have a solid interior, where bulbs are made up of individual layers. Few corms examples:

• Arrowhead
• Taro
• Water Chestnut

Stem Tubers

This is a swollen underground storage organ that forms from a thickened rhizome.  The top and/or sides of the tuber produce shoots that grow into stems and leaves, while the underside produces roots. Tubers are known for storing large amounts of starch.

To name examples:

• Jerusalem Artichoke
• Potato
• Yam

Bulbs

A bulb is a short stem with fleshy leaves that function as food storage organs during dormancy. Examples of bulbs include:

• Fennel
• Garlic
• Onion

Conclusion

Beets, carrots, onions, turnips and sweet potato are all known for having super fighting qualities whilst protecting us from the majority of cancers.

The ones listed here are part of the healthiest root veggies we know. Although, the scientific can distinguish these underground plants into several varieties, you can be reassured that all provide you with great nutritious value for your money.

You might want to read this post, where we explain the reasons to eat fruit and vegetables.

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