Seasonal Savings

Winter foods have a big job to do: filling and satisfying, and providing the most possible nutrients to keep immune systems strong. Winter is often a "lean" time, too, with belt tightening going on, either by necessity or to keep a "slimming" resolution. Fortunately, many winter foods are nutrien- dense and affordable — whether you're talking cash or calories.

Where to start for seasonal winter foods? Grains and greens!

Grains & Greens

Grains & Greens Serving Suggestions

Pick a grain, pick a green and add to boxed soup, such as creamy mushroom or butternut squash.
Toss minced greens and feta cheese into cooked grains.
Serve sautéed greens over cornbread with hot sauce.
Make "winter pesto" using greens instead of fresh herbs.
Stretch and boost your meatloaf or burgers with grains and chopped greens.

Good Ol' Greens

Winter greens are nutritional powerhouses! Start with spinach, then branch out and learn to love some others. You can make them more lovable by seasoning with a lot of garlic or a little sausage — which goes a long way to add flavor with relatively few calories and low cost.

Here are a few favorite winter greens:

Arugula has a hearty, peppery flavor and delicate texture that mixes well with other greens and is great in salads and sandwiches.
Collards have a mild flavor and go further by holding more of their volume than many other greens, but take a little longer to cook.
Kale is available in several varieties and has a mild, cabbage-like flavor with a slight peppery zip. Its texture helps it retain volume after cooking.
Swiss Chard has a hearty, likable flavor that works well in sandwiches, as stuffing for pork or chicken or mixed with other greens.
Turnip Greens are slightly yet agreeably bitter and traditionally cooked at low temperature for a long time produce a silky texture.

Try our simple, step-by-step recipe for Sautéed Greens with Garlic.

Whole Grains: Satisfying, Healthy and Highly Affordable!

Whole grains are in the category of "somewhat intimidating" because many people know they have tremendous health benefits, and want to eat more of them (beyond oatmeal and whole wheat bread), but don't know where to start. Don't be scared; our Guide to Whole Grains & Flours is just a click away.