A Root Vege Medley...
HERE in the UK we are famed for our root vege!
And whilst there’s still sprouts in the shops, I thought I would share with you my root vege medley, it makes a wonderful display and the cooking method optimises the vitamin content.
Ingredients:
Where possible choose Organic: 3 large baking Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes
2 Garlic bulbs
2 Organic Carrots
2 Parsnips
3 Courgettes
1 Red Onion
2 Beetroots
200g Sprouts
1 tbsp Fennel Seeds
4 Sprigs of Rosemary
4 Sprigs of Thyme
Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Sea Salt
100g Cavolo Nero Kale leaves 50g Pumpkin Seeds
You will need a large roasting tray
Recipe:
Pre-heat the oven to 180c. Scrub, dry and prick the baking potatoes and microwave for around seven minutes to slightly soften, then slice each one vertically into four slices.
Wash and scrape the carrots, parsnips and courgettes before cutting each vertically into four quarters.
Remove the skin and root from the onion, and scrub the beetroots, cut both vegetables in half vertically from top to root and then cut each half into quarters.
Remove the outer leaves and ends from the sprouts and cut each in half, also vertically.
Remove the very outer skin from the garlic bulbs and slice horizontally across the middle.
Gather all the prepared vegetables, including the potatoes, and arrange onto the roasting tray.
Scatter the herbs over and top with olive oil, season well.
Bake in the centre of the oven for 15 minutes, turning occasionally.
Meanwhile, remove the centre stalk from the kale leaves and rub olive oil and a little salt onto each, add to the baking tray, scatter the pumpkin seeds over the vegetables and bake for a further 10 minutes.
Root vegetables are antioxidant rich and really packed with Potassium, Carotene, Minerals, Vitamins and dietary fibre, plus they are low in calories too, and cooking them this way will help maintain these valuable nutrients.
Lesley co-owns Roberto’s Italian on Southport’s Ocean Plaza with husband Roberto. She has a BScHons in Nutrition & Health, and is now studying a Masters in Conservation Management. For more of Lesley’s Recipes go to: Facebook.com/ robertossouthport / www. robertositalian.co.uk