The Happy Dancing Turtle garden team planted several different purple vegetables in the garden this season. You may be accustomed to enjoying purple onions (which were also grown this year), but read on to discover some varieties you may not be familiar with.
Bold and Beautiful Islander Bell Peppers!
Islander Bell Peppers are known for their remarkable color-changing ability. They start as a pale lavender or light purple and gradually transition to deep purple, and eventually to vibrant shades of orange and red as they mature. They are mild and sweet, making them ideal for fresh eating, salads, and cooking. Their flavor becomes sweeter as they ripen, with the fully mature red stage being the sweetest.
Like other bell peppers, Islander peppers are rich in vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. They are low in calories and a great addition to a healthy diet, contributing to immune health, skin health, and overall wellness.
Purple Haze Carrots with Surprise Inside
The striking Purple Haze Carrot has a deep purple skin, which is due to the presence of anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant. The inner core remains a bright orange, creating a beautiful contrast when sliced. Besides the anthocyanins, these carrots are also a good source of beta-carotene, fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium.
Purple Haze Carrots have a sweet and slightly spicy flavor, with a more intense taste compared to traditional orange carrots. The sweetness intensifies when cooked, making them versatile for both raw and cooked dishes. Yum!
Purple Moon Cauliflower an Early Winner
Here's the cauliflower, variety Purple Moon. What a stunning color! And beyond aesthetic benefits, purple, blue, red fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants called anthocyanins. A diet high in these compounds may help prevent inflammation and protect against type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Consuming anthocyanin-rich foods regularly may also improve memory and support overall brain health.
While berries tend to contain the highest amount of anthocyanins, other foods such as purple corn, pomegranate, eggplant, black carrots, red cabbage, and purple cauliflower are also good sources. Bonus: Purple Moon may mature up to two weeks earlier than other purple cauliflower varieties.
Royal Snap II Purple Pea Pods Ideal for Fresh Eating
Royal Snap II is a type of edible podded pea, which means you can eat the entire pod along with the peas inside. When cooked, the vibrant purple color of the pods often changes to green, losing their striking hue but retaining their flavor. Pods are known to be large and very sweet.
Purple peas are rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. They also contain antioxidants, which can help protect the body from damage by free radicals. Similar to the Purple Moon Cauliflower, the color in these peas comes from anthocyanins, which are potent antioxidants found in many purple and blue fruits and vegetables. Some purple pea varieties have been grown for centuries and are part of traditional diets in various cultures around the world. Purple pea plants are not only nutritious but also add aesthetic appeal to gardens with their colorful pods and bi-colored blossoms which are often violet and dark-purple. They can be grown in containers.
An unfamiliar color on a familiar veggie can be a great conversation starter and an enticement for those (kids or adults) who don’t readily consume a lot of produce. “Eat the rainbow” is an improve-your-diet strategy that works on several levels. May you be inspired by the purple reign to diversify your own eating!
Want to know more about sustainable living articles, events, and happenings? Sign up for our eNewsletter.
Comments