Everything You Can and Should Do with Root Vegetables for Tasty Meals

We here at One Green Planet love root vegetables. Not only are they immensely versatile, but they come in all different shapes and sizes and can transform into a number of delicious dishes, as long as you’re willing to take the time to prepare them!

Root veggies can be served raw, roasted, pureed, fried, baked, and more, and we’re excited to show off 15 of our Food Monster App blogger’s most ingenious treatments of these special vegetables. Check out our selections below and let us know how you most love to indulge in your favorite root veg!

Make Fries and Chips

1. Rutabaga Fries With Basil Mayo 

If you’re craving fries but don’t want to eat a boatload of salt and grease, this is the recipe for you! Rutabaga Fries With Basil Mayo is a sweeter seasonal alternative to the ubiquitous potato, and they taste oh-so-delicious when dipped into (homemade!) vegan basil mayonnaise.

2. Oregano Olive Oil Beet Chips

Getting sick of plain old bagged potato chips? Try making these crispy, oven-baked Oregano Olive Oil Beet Chips. They’re made with just three ingredients and so versatile – you can season the chips any way you like!

3. Chili Cheese Turnip or Yam Fries

These Chili Cheese Turnip or Yam Fries take a traditionally heavy and bad-for-you dish and turn it on its head. These fries are vibrant, and a healthier indulgence.

4. Lotus Chips 

These Lotus Chips are extremely easy to make, but their exotic looking appearance would complement any kind of buffet. Best served with hummus but any other dip would certainly do too.

5. Baked Carrot Fries

Making veggie fries is a great way to clean out the fridge and use up all the vegetables you have before they spoil. This recipe for Baked Carrot Fries requires carrots, some herbs and spices, and a bit of time. Roast these slices in the oven, add some orange for a unique flavor, and then pair it with hummus for a delicious side dish or snack!

Make Curries And Stews

6. Super Simple Potato Curry

This Super Simple Potato Curry can be on your table in practically no time. It’s also an inexpensive dish and can feed a crowd, so it’s great for your budget and your tummy. You may even want to double the serving because everyone will go back for seconds.

7. Malai Kofta (Potato Dumplings in Spiced Tomato Sauce)

Traditionally, Malai Kofta is a rich combination of fried potato, veggie, and cheese meatball/dumplings floating in a creamy spiced tomato sauce. Of course, this version is vegan and gluten-free but it has all of the tastiness and fragrant flavors. Served with rice or flat bread, it really is a treat.

8. Curry and Coconut Potatoes With Cashews and Peas

This meal of Curry and Coconut Potatoes With Cashews and Peas is the complete package – with fiber and protein from the peas, a rich creamy consistency from the coconut milk, a magical aroma from the spices, tender cherry tomatoes, and of course, fresh herbs for an added bit of flavor. What is not to love? Plus this dish is affordable, easy to make, and absolutely delightful to eat.

Turn Them Into Soups and Salads

9. Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Truffle Oil

Winter weather calls for making soup. This Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Truffle Oil has sunchokes cooked with onion and garlic. The truffle oil adds a luxurious touch and makes the soup feel really special.

10. Warm Root Vegetable Salad

ThisWarm Root Vegetable Salad is comforting, warm, healthy, and colorful. Adding lentils into the mix adds both a protein and an earthy flavor. Left al dente, they remain firm, giving the salad a bit of bite. Finally, sliced avocado adds a satisfying creaminess. Serve this salad as an appetizer or as a main dish with some whole grain bread.

11. Warm Root and Lentil Salad With Turmeric Mustard Dressing 

This Warm Root and Lentil Salad With Turmeric Mustard Dressing is everything! Beluga lentils are packed full of nutrients. For one, they are rich in anthocyanins, a potent and powerful antioxidant. Anthocyanins offer protection from diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Lentils also have plenty of minerals, protein, and nine grams of dietary fiber in just one-fourth cup! These guys will keep you feeling full for a long time.

12. Curried Carrot and Parsnip Soup

This flavorful Curried Carrot and Parsnip Soup is a great way to give new life to any leftover roasted veggies you might have — it’s creamy with a little heat from the curry powder and makes a terrific meal alongside some crusty bread and a simply dressed green salad.

Make Dessert!

13. No-Bake Sweet Potato Chocolate Mousse Pecan Pie

This holiday dessert masterpiece will be the first to disappear from the table. A chocolatey crust made from pecans and gooey dates is filled with a rich, decadent chocolate mousse filling made from sweet potato and sweetened naturally with dates. Not only does this No-Bake Sweet Potato Chocolate Mousse Pecan Pie taste delicious, it is made from nourishing ingredients, so that’s cause for even more celebration!

14. No-Bake Chaga Maca Cookie Bites

These No-Bake Chaga Maca Cookie Bites are a must-try! Raw vegan chocolate cookies infused with Chaga mushroom powder and maca root — yum! Chaga mushrooms are known for their health benefits and while you can make yummy mushroom lattes, why not change it up with something like these delicious, chocolaty, brownie bites? Not only are they super quick and easy to make, they are super healthy! P.S., you don’t have to bake them. Enjoy!

15. Raw Gingersnap Cookies

What is there not to drool over with these Raw Gingersnap Cookies? Cinnamon. Ginger. Dates. Ginger. Delicious! Combine these ingredients into a cookie and sprinkle a bit o’ raw sugar on top, and you have yourself a satisfying dessert!

Learn about how to celebrate root veggies while they’re in season, and then check out this cool feature about how to enjoy your fall veggies in spiralized form!

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home

Reducing your meat intake and incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet is known to Support various health benefits, including reducing chronic inflammation, improving heart health, enhancing mental well-being, achieving fitness goals, meeting nutritional needs, managing allergies, and promoting gut health, among others. Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer,  prostate cancer, and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend grabbing our favorite plant-based cookbooks and downloading the Food Monster App — with over 20,000 delicious recipes, it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals, and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep
• Plant-Based Cookbooks 

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