It’s almost the special day on which families all over the globe will be excitedly sitting around a table ready to fill themselves silly. When it comes to Christmas dinner, we all have our own traditions that we tend to keep year after year. In the UK, we’re almost sure there won’t be a single plate without a fluffy Yorkshire pudding or a scrumptious serving of stuffing. Here in Australia, particularly on a scorcher, families will most likely be tucking into cold ham or turkey, or perhaps chucking a few prawns on the Barbie! But the question on everybody’s lips (at least here in the Veggie Saver office!) is: what are the best veggies for Christmas dinner? Within this article we will outline the 5 most popular Christmas vegetables, and how to keep them fresh for the big day!
1) Carrots
We must say we’re pretty biased towards a carrot or two (can you tell by our logo?) They’re not only crunchy, colourful and tasty, they’re also great for you. Did you know that the fibre in carrots can help keep your blood sugar levels healthy? Carrots are also high in calcium and vitamin K, both of which are great for your bone health. Sticky honey-roasted carrots make a simple yet scrumptious side for Christmas dinner!
2) Broccoli
It’s always great to add a bit of greenery to the plate and broccoli does this with no complaints. Broccoli is deeply concentrated with vitamin C, making it fantastic for your immune system. It’s also packed with many other minerals and antioxidants. We personally advise you to steam your broccoli to preserve its crisp and fresh flavour without needing the addition of oil.
3) Potatoes
This one isn’t so surprising, right? There’s truly nothing better than crispy roast potatoes!
Although they don’t taste quite like your classic vegetable, they are actually jam-packed with goodness! They’re rich in fibre, starch, potassium and vitamin C. It’s a win win! Our top (not so secret) tip for cooking potatoes is to slightly smash them before roasting and sprinkle them with some salt and some rosemary.
4) Cauliflower
Cauliflower is naturally high in fibre and B-vitamins. Of the 100 grams of cauliflower in one serving, 92 grams are water. This means that it’s a great veggie to help keep you hydrated – particularly useful to counterbalance the Christmas drinks! Best served covered in cheese sauce of course.
5) Brussel sprouts
Just like Vegemite , people tend to either love sprouts or hate them. Either way, you simply can’t deny that they are an absolute classic and an essential part of any Christmas dinner! They are also a great source of fibre for your gut health. Looking to spruce them up this year? Try roasting them with nuts and a dash of sticky maple syrup, some may also like to add bacon pieces!
How to keep your veggies fresh for Christmas Day
Once you’ve done your Christmas shopping, be sure to place your veggies in a reusable produce bag and store them in the crisper. Did you know Veggie Saver can keep your fruit and vegetables fresh for weeks? With Veggie Saver you could beat the Christmas rush and buy your vegetables more in advance! It’s also a great way to keep your leftovers fresh too. Yep that’s right, you can even store your chopped up veg in there and be rest assured they’ll remain crisp and crunchy for longer.
How do produce bags work?
Veggie Saver is a multi-award winning produce bag made out of multiple layers of 100% unbleached, unseeded cotton, with each layer playing an important role in keeping your produce fresh for longer. The robust outer layer of your Veggie Saver protects fruit & vegetables by preserving the water within the middle layer from drying out too quickly. The thick, absorbent middle layer holds the bulk of the moisture. This layer draws the water away from the fresh produce, yet allows it to hydrate as needed. The inner layer provides a dry, protective barrier that keeps your produce from getting too wet. All three layers are permeable, allowing your fruit & veggies to breathe & stay fresh. Find out more about Veggie Saver, find a retailer or shop on Amazon today!
Note: These are the 5 of the most popular Christmas vegetables, unveiled by a survey carried out by Asda.
