It's the side dishes that make Thanksgiving a feast. Our Harvest Home Farmer's Markets are loaded with fresh fruits and veggies like orange sweet potatoes and carrots, ruby red beets, white cauliflower, and brilliant green broccoli to name a few. They give your Thanksgiving festive color, attention-grabbing taste and plenty of healthy goodness. 

Make sure to visit our final markets of the season to pick up your last minute fruits and vegetables:

Tuesday, 11/26 from 8am-4pm

• Jacobi Hospital

• Mt. Eden

• 125th Street - State Office Building

• Clinton Hill 

Wednesday, 11/27 from 8am-4pm

• Hunts Point

• Kings County Hospital

Made ahead salads with colorful, refreshing taste:
Wash greens the day before, wrap lightly in paper towel and place in a plastic bag.

• Add some color: Chop up or grate one beet, 2 apples and 3 carrots. Mix with 2 teaspoons of

• olive oil and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Store overnight. Mix with greens just before

• you serve the turkey.

• Try a different taste: A lettuce, pear, and walnut salad with a cranberry vinaigrette dressing: In a saucepan mix together ½ cup cider vinegar with ¼ cup cranberries, then cook until cranberries are soft. Next remove from heat, add ¼ cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons sugar, and a pinch of salt. Put in a blender, mix until smooth, then store in fridge. Just before serving mix with 3 pears (cut in slices), ½ cup chopped walnuts, and serve on lettuce.

Olive oil instead of butter: An easy way to reduce saturated fat and cholesterol, add antioxidants for a healthy immune system, and add vitamins E and K for a healthier heart. See below.

Spice up Sweet potatoes (and reduce the calories): See Tips below

Save Time: Roast a mix of veggies:

• Slide a cookie sheet with veggies on the oven shelf under the turkey: Cut veggies into cubes, sprinkle with a little olive oil, salt, pepper and dried herbs and spices you like. Mix right on the cookie sheet. Check out How to Roast Veggies for the perfect cooking times.

• Try this butternut squash with apples and brussel sprouts recipe from Harvest Hash

ENJOY A HAPPY and HEALTHY THANKSGIVING!

RECIPE: Cranberry Pecan Brown Rice Stuffing  

A different stuffing or side dish.    

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups Minute® Brown Rice, uncooked

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

• 1 teaspoon dried orange peels

• 1/2 cup chicken stock

• 1 tablespoon margarine

• 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped

• 2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped

• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped and toasted**

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

salt and  pepper, to taste 

PREPARATION:

• Prepare rice according to package directions.

• In a medium microwave safe bowl, mix cranberries and orange peel with chicken stock and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Set aside. Heat a large saucepan over high heat and add margarine.

• Stir in celery, onion and poultry seasoning and sauté 3 minutes. Stir in cranberry mixture, pecans, parsley, and rice. Cook over medium heat for 3 more minutes or until all liquid is absorbed.

SUGGESTION: Pan roasted veggies are great for Thanksgiving.  Just slip on a rack under the turkey. You may have to increase the cooking time a bit.

SPICE UP THOSE SWEET POTATOES

SWEET POTATO PARSNIP PUREE:

• 2 sweet potatoes

• 4 parsnips, peeled, cut in ¼ inch thick pieces

• 3 tablespoons butter (or 2 ¼ tablespoons olive oil)

• 1/4 cup milk

• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

PREPARATION:

• Boil sweet potatoes and parsnips for 12 minutes.

• Drain and mash with butter or olive oil until smooth.

• Blend in milk, brown sugar, and salt.

CHIPOTLE/LIME SWEET POTATOES:

• Wrap sweet potatoes in damp paper towel and microwave for 8 minutes.

• Let cool, then remove skins and mash.

• Mash in the following ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons fat-free milk

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

  • 1 ½ teaspoons finely chopped chipotle chili in adobo sauce 

  • 1/2 teaspoon adobo sauce 

  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

HEALTHY TIP: Use olive oil instead of butter: ¾ teaspoon olive oil = 1 teaspoon of butter. For mashing potatoes, use half butter and half olive oil for a smoother, creamier dish with a slightly nutty flavor.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Comment below, follow up on social media and join our mailing list for healthy recipes and tips on how to prepare your meals!