5 Festive Recipe Ideas for Vegetables This Holiday Season

One of the most significant ways we celebrate the holiday season is with food. When the end of each year rolls around, it often brings cherished family recipes and memories of meals we've shared with loved ones. While vegetables can sometimes be an afterthought when it comes to holiday cooking, they can become a new treasured favorite with a bit of inspiration. We've compiled the ideas in this guide to help you honor the festive spirit with simple, nutrient-dense recipe ideas that are delicious and fun.

Start With Seasonal Produce

Get inspired by the seasonal vegetables that invoke the flavors of the holidays. Here in Southern California, there is a bounty of fresh, locally-grown produce throughout the winter months. During the holidays, look out for freshly picked vegetables such as:

• Beets
• Broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Root vegetables
• Winter squash

Colorful Salads

Invite the colors of the holidays onto your plate with a kale and spinach salad garnished with fresh pomegranate seeds and sliced red onion. Roasted beets, sweet potato, and winter squash are other delicious salad toppings that feel more nourishing during the winter.

A Holiday-Inspired Crudité Platter

Arrange fresh vegetables into a festive holiday shape for a quick, no-cook option that looks beautiful for sharing. Place some cucumbers, celery sticks, and broccoli into a wreath and then decorate it with groups of cherry tomatoes to resemble winter berries. Another option is to arrange broccoli into a triangle Christmas tree shape and add red bell pepper slices as garland. Get creative, and then add your family's favorite dip.

Stuffed Peppers

Select red and green bell peppers for a festive take on this simple classic. In addition to usual fillings like meat and rice, you can also add diced roasted root vegetables. When topped with tomato sauce, this is a delicious, vegetable-rich meal.

Roasted Root Vegetables

Sheet pan dinners are an easy, low-mess way to cook without standing over a stove. During the holidays, chop up seasonal root vegetables like parsnips, rutabagas, sweet potatoes, and squash, then toss with olive oil and roast. Add festive toppings like dried cranberries and pecans when it comes out of the oven.

Hearty Soups and Stews

Consider trying a new warming vegetable soup recipe this winter or adding extra veggies to an old favorite recipe. A handful of greens, such as spinach or kale, complements many soup recipes nicely. Another trick is to thicken creamy soups with mashed potatoes. It adds extra nutrients and creates a great texture.

Celebrate the Holidays With Senior Helpers South Orange County

If you or an elderly loved one could use some support with meal planning or dieting monitoring, Senior Helpers is for you. We help residents of Irvine, Santa Ana, and Tustin continue to lead comfortable and fulfilling independent lifestyles. If you're in the Orange County area and want to learn more about our services, reach out to our helpful team today.