5 Healthy Ways to Cook Fruits and Vegetables

As much as we enjoy restaurants, sometimes a good home-cooked meal is just what the soul (and budget) needs. With the bounty of fresh and flavorful produce that’s in season right now, your culinary creativity may be flowing.

But what’s the best way to cook up those fruits and veggies you picked up at the store or farmers’ market without adding too many extra calories? Here are 5 of our favorite ways:

• Stir-Fry…

  • Asian veggies and then add pineapple and mango in a honey ginger sauce and cook until all ingredients are heated up.

  • Broccoli in olive oil and chopped garlic. Add some capers for extra zip.

  • Green beans in olive oil with a medley of fresh herbs or spices of your choice.

• Sauté…

  • Spinach with garlic and olive oil.

  • Green and yellow summer squash with onion and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. For a different twist, add chopped tomato and basil.

• Grill…

  • Corn on the cob. Peel and coat in a mix of seasonings such as oregano, pepper, onion and chili powders and salt with a touch of butter to help it stick. Wrap in aluminum foil and grill until tender.

  • Some eggplant, zucchini and portabella mushrooms to use in a wrap.

• Blanch…

  • Almonds in water for 15 seconds and peel for a new twist on a healthy snack.

  • Carrots, cauliflower, green beans, asparagus and broccoli. Marinate in your favorite low-fat vinaigrette and serve cold. If desired, add other veggies like onions, mushrooms and peppers.

• Microwave…

  • Frozen or canned vegetables on those busy nights.

  • Spaghetti squash by cutting in half lengthwise and putting face down in a dish with water. Scoop out squash and serve like spaghetti with tomato sauce and/or Parmesan cheese.

Which of these healthy cooking methods will you try first?