The Colorful World of Purple Vegetables
If you are looking to add some color to your meal then you should look no further than purple veggetables. What exactly qualifies as a purple vegetable? Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly found purple vegetables out there.
Types of Purple Vegetables
- Eggplants – Eggplants have a deep purple, glossy skin and are extremely versatile in the kitchen. Certain varieties of eggplants can have a white or greenish hue, but they remain recognizable as eggplants.
- Cabbage – While some varieties of cabbages may sport a green hue, red cabbage and purple cabbage are actually quite common and provide some amazing color to a meal. Purple cabbage is a great source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C.
- Beets – Beets are a classic favorite for many. The two most common verieties are the red beet and the chioggia beet, although there are some varieties with a white or yellow hue.
- Radishes – Radishes, being members of the same family as cabbage, can often actually be purple in color. Some common varieties include the Black Spanish Radishes, the Japanese daikon radishes and the April Cross Radishes.
- Potatoes – The purple potato is actually a favorite root vegetable for many. They are high in antioxidants and are a good source of Vitamin C and other essential vitamins and minerals.
Uses of Purple Vegetables
Purple vegetables can be served and incorporated into a variety of dishes, from salads to side dishes and even desserts. Eggplants can be fried, baked, boiled and grilled as part of savory dishes. Cabbage can be served cooked or raw, as part of salads and slaws, or cooked up in a hearty winter stew. Beets are great roasted or boiled, and are amazing when combined with goat cheese, balsamic vinegar or a simple vinaigrette. Purple potatoes can be boiled and mashed, roasted, grilled, fried and even used in hash browns. Radishes can be eaten raw, cooked or pickled and used in a variety of dishes.
No matter how you decide to serve them, purple vegetables are a great way to add color and flavor to your meal. So get out there and start exploring the amazing world of purple vegetables!
