Why Purple Vegetables and Fruits Pack a Healthy Punch
It is no secret that colourful foods are good for you. ‘Superfood‘ status is usually awarded to red, blue and purple vegetables and fruits – think pomegranates, goji berries, blueberries and acai (red velvet cake only counts if you make it with beetroot!).
While green veggies have always hogged the limelight for being the most nutritious, eating from a range of colours ensures you get everything you need for a healthy diet.
Colour is good for you
The health benefits of purple vegetables and fruits, as well as foods that are on the red and blue spectrum, include lowered cholesterol, increased immunity and many more – but what’s the active ingredient behind all of this?
Anthocyanins are the powerful plant compounds responsible not only for the royal hues, but also for the inflammation-busting and blood pressure-lowering goodness in common foods such as plums, red cabbage, figs, beetroot and berries.
It is the mighty anthocyanins in red grape skins that turn red wines a gorgeous garnet colour and also the reason why red wine is a good anti-oxidant – in moderation of course.
This natural pigment is present in both the skins and the flesh of many fruits and vegetables and is sensitive to heat, so it’s best to either cook it quickly to preserve the goodness and colour, or eat it raw if possible.
Add colour to your day with these purple vegetables & fruits
If your aim is to eat more red, purple and blue foods, there are many options gracing grocery store shelves. Look out for rhubarb, aubergine (the skin is high in anthocyanins), radishes, purple carrots, purple beans, purple mangetout peas, red onions, purple micro herbs and even edible purple flowers. Reap the benefits purple vegetables and fruits with these recipes…
Aubergine Recipes
One of our all-time favourite purple vegetables is the humble aubergine (also called eggplant or brinjal).
Baked Aubergines with Tahini Sauce
This tasty dish is full of Middle Eastern flavours and is vegetarian-friendly.
Recipe for Baked Aubergines with Tahini Sauce
Tandoori Aubergines with Mint Tzatziki
A delicious way to eat aubergines, serve alongside your favourite protein, or enjoy as a dish all on their own.
Tandoori Aubergines with Mint Tzatziki
Caprese Aubergine Parcels
Braaied to perfection, these parcels are perfect for your veggie loving friends.
Recipe for Caprese Aubergine Parcels
Smokey Aubergine and Courgette Tart
All the goodness of green and purple veggies, encased in crispy phyllo pastry.
Recipe for Smokey Aubergine and Courgette Tart
Beetroot Recipes
It doesn’t get more reddish-purple than beets.
Beetroot Hummus
This beetroot recipe gives the classic hummus an upgrade!
Beetroot Tzatziki
Traditional tzatziki as a thick, creamy sauce combing yoghurt with cucumber. This recipe uses beetroot instead, giving it yummy flavour and a beautiful colour.
Beetroot Crumpets
Breakfast goes pink – the addition of beets make these crumpets look fab!
Beetroot Cake with Meringue Frosting
Why use red food colouring when you can use beetroot juice to make your cake pop?
Recipe for Beetroot Cake with Meringue Frosting
Plum Recipes
These purple fruits are packed with flavour and goodness.
Indonesian Short Ribs with Plums
Sweet, sticky and utterly moreish!
Recipe for Indonesian Short Ribs with Plums
Baked Plums with Spiced Ginger Biscuit Crumble
A lovely seasonal dessert that won’t break the bank.
Recipe for Baked Plums with Spiced Ginger Biscuit Crumble
Blueberry Recipes
We feel like these should be called ‘purpleberries’!
Blueberry Lattice Tart
A jammy filling enlcosed in crispy pastry – delicious.
Recipe for Blueberry Lattice Tart
Crushed Blueberry Quinoa Breakfast Parfait
An excellent way to start your day!
Recipe for Crushed Blueberry Quinoa Breakfast Parfait
Try these delicious and immune boosting foods.
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