23 Surprising Ways to Jazz Up Common Veggies

  • By Jennifer Mulder
  • 17 January 2022
  • 3 minute read
23 Surprising Ways to Jazz Up Common Veggies | The Health Sessions

It’s one of the simplest and best things you can do for your health: eat the rainbow of vegetables. Getting your greens in provides you with the vitamins, minerals, fibers and phytonutrients necessary to function well. What’s more, a diet rich in fresh produce promotes good heart health and a healthy weight, lowers your risk for cancer and diabetes type 2, and even increases your happiness levels.

And yet, a shocking 90% of us do not eat the recommended amount of 2-3 cups or 200 grams of vegetables.

One of the main reasons people do not consume enough veggies is taste. If you’re not a fan of eating your greens either, there are a few things you can do to learn to like them better over time.

First of all, try new ingredients. Maybe you just haven’t found veggies you like yet! Instead of having peas and carrots again, give braised fennel, Ottolenghi-style leeks and stir-fried baby bok choy a go. You could also experiment with different cooking methods. Roasting, for example, gives a much sweeter flavor to vegetables, whereas grilling provides that crispy bite you love.

Another way to make your greens taste better is to jazz up your vegetables. Forget the plain old cooked green beans, and sprinkle them with sautéed mushrooms and onions, or sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts. You can still have your regular meat, potato and veg dishes, just with more exciting vegetables.

Get inspired by these surprising ways to jazz up common veggies!

Green Beans

Green Beans with Pistachio Orange and Cranberry Butter from Donna Hay

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Green Beans with Pistachio Orange and Cranberry Butter from Donna Hay | The Health Sessions

Dijon Tahini Beans from Flora and Vino

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Dijon Tahini Green Beans from Flora and Vino | The Health Sessions

Blanched Beans and Prosciutto Bundles from Donna Hay

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Blanched Bean and Prosciutto Bundles from Donna Hay | The Health Sessions

Cauliflower

Grilled Teriyaki Cauliflower Steaks with Asian Gremolata from FoodieCrush

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Grilled Teriyaki Cauliflower Steaks with Asian Gremolata from Foodiecrush | The Health Sessions

The Best Ranch Roasted Cauliflower from Swanky Recipes

Jazz Up Your Veggies: The Best Ranch Roasted Cauliflower from Swanky Recipes | The Health Sessions

Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce from Truffles and Trends

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce from Truffles and Trends | The Health Sessions

Broccoli

Grilled Broccolini with Romesco Sauce from Heather Christo

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Grilled Broccolini with Romesco Sauce from Heather Christo | The Health Sessions

Charred Broccoli with Dates, Almond and Cheddar from Alexandra’s Kitchen

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Charred Broccoli with Dates, Almond and Cheddar from Alexandra's Kitchen | The Health Sessions

Carrots

Grilled Carrots with Mint Almonds Pesto from Heather Christo

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Grilled Carrots with Mint Almond Pesto by Heather Christo | The Health Sessions

Harissa Roasted Carrots with Yoghurt, Lemon and Mint from Flourishing Foodie

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Harissa Roasted Carrots with Yogurt, Lemon and Mint from Flourishing Foodie | The Health Sessions

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potato Hasselbacks with Basil Salsa Verde from Donna Hay

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Sweet Potato Hasselbacks with Salsa Verde from Donna Hay | The Health Sessions

Miso Roasted Sweet Potatoes from KaleJunkie

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Miso Roasted Sweet Potatoes from Kalejunkie | The Health Sessions

Chili and Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Lime Juice from Killing Thyme

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Chili + Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Lime Juice from Killing Thyme | The Health Sessions

Corn

Indian Masala Street Corn from Feasting at Home

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Masala Street Corn from Feasting at Home | The Health Sessions

Grilled Corn with Sriracha Aioli from Minimalist Baker

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Grilled Corn with Sriracha Aioli from Minimalist Baker | The Health Sessions

Cabbages

Roasted Cabbage Steaks Recipe with Hazelnut Dressing from Olive Magazine

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Roasted Cabbage Steaks with Hazelnut Dressing from Olive Magazine | The Health Sessions

Roasted Cabbage Wedges with Lemon Garlic Butter from Savor The Flavor

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Roasted Cabbage Wedges with Lemon Garlic Butter from Savor The Flavor | The Health Sessions

Brussels Sprouts

Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts from The Modern Proper

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts from The Modern Proper | The Health Sessions

Honey Roasted Parmesan Brussels Sprouts from Dashing Dish

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Honey Roasted Parmesan Brussels Sprouts from Dashing Dish | The Health Sessions

Mediterranean Vegetables

Sautéed Zucchini with Basil, Mint and Pine Nuts from Alexandra Cooking

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Sautéed Zucchini with Basil, Mint and Pine Nuts from Alexandra Cooking | The Health Sessions

Grilled Eggplant with Peanut Ginger Sauce from The First Mess

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Grilled Eggplant with Peanut Ginger Sauce from The First Mess | The Health Sessions

Greek Inspired Zucchini, Halloumi and Artichoke Skewer from Gourmande in the Kitchen

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Greek Inspired Zucchini, Halloumi and Artichoke Vegetable Skewers from Gourmande in the Kitchen | The Health Sessions

Sesame Roasted, Maple Chipotle Delicata Squash from Viktoria’s Table

Jazz Up Your Veggies: Sesame Roasted, Maple Chipotle Delicata Squash from Viktoria's Table | The Health Sessions

With these 23 surprising toppings, you’ll never have to get bored with plain vegetables next to your meat and potatoes again!

How do you like to jazz up your veggies? 

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