Root Vegetable Buyer's Guide

Shopping, cooking and storage tips for six common root vegetables.

Root vegetables can be found pretty easily in large supermarkets and farmers’ markets. Roots keep best when stored in humid environments at near-freezing temperatures. Root vegetables will keep you well-nourished through the winter: they are nutritious carbohydrate choices because they’re rich in fiber and protective antioxidants, such as vitamin C (rutabagas and turnips) and vitamin A (carrots). And they’re all good sources of folate, a water-soluble B vitamin that’s needed to form healthy new cells.

Recipes to try:

Cellaring for the Season

While refrigerating roots is OK for a short amount of time (see above), to keep them for an extended period they need to be stored in a cool, humid environment. A great resource is Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Vegetables (Storey Publishing, 1991)

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