The cold climate may suppress the immune system and make you an easy victim of viral infections. Winter is also known as the respiratory season as there are many breathing problems reported during winters which at times can be fatal. 

Though the winter season comes with various viral infections, it also brings with it the varieties of vegetables that can keep you warm and healthy during the cold season. There are varieties of seasonal vegetables available throughout the year. India being a diverse country observes different types of seasonal recipes. 

winter vegetable recipes

Importance of eating healthy foods

Firstly, eating healthy nutritious foods improves your body’s ability to keep the disease at bay. Secondly, a balanced diet with a lot of seasonal veggies and fruits can help in speedy recovery from illness. 

Let us learn some food recipes that are healthy and can keep you warm in winter.

1.Shorba (Dal and Palak)

Ingredients required

Moong dal (yellow)

Tur dal

Haldi

Garam masala

Zeera

Ginger 

Garlic 

Hing 

Lemon juice

Oil or ghee

Method to cook

• Soak moong and tur dal for a few hours. With spinach alone cook them in a cooker and make a paste.
• Heat oil or ghee, and add jeera, ginger, and garlic. Then add the masala required and a pinch of hing. Keep the flame low and then add the paste.
• You may add water according to the consistency you require.
• The cream may be added while the dal simmer, add salt and lemon juice. 

2. Sarson saag

It is a Punjabi dish that is generally teamed with makki roti. Sarson saag is loved not just in Punjab but in other parts of North India as well. 

Ingredient required

Sarson 700 gm

Spinach 200 gm

Radish leaves 50 gm

Bathua 30 gm

Green chili

Ginger

Rice 40 gm

Mustard oil

Jaggery 

Makki ka atta 

White butter

Salt

Method to cook

• Take all ingredients except makki ka atta, jaggery, and white butter. Boil the ingredients till the leaves turn tender. 
• Churn the boiled ingredient.
• Add maize flour, cover the pan, keep it under low flame and stir it at regular intervals for an hour.

3. Rabdi of sweet potato 

Sweet potato is tubers that are rich in fiber, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin A and C. 

Ingredients

Sweet potato mashed 2-3 tbsp 

Milk 150-200 ml

Warm water ½ -1 cup 

Elaichi powder 

Saffron strands 

Warm water 

Sugar (as per taste)

Mixed nuts 

Method to cook

• Add mashed sweet potato in boiled milk and cook on a low flame till it thickens.
• Add saffron strands in warm water and let them dissolve completely. Add it to the milk mixture and stir it adding elaichi powder and letting it cook for a few minutes. 
• After the ingredients are cooked add the mixture of nuts and cool it in the refrigerator for an hour. It can be eaten and served chilled. 

4. Carrot ginger soup

This recipe can keep you warm in winter. It is a healthy winter recipe added with flavors of spices. 

Ingredients

Carrot peeled and sliced – 3 cups

Ginger  

Oil

Jeera 

Ajwain 

Hing

Lemon juice

Black pepper

Sugar

Salt 

Method to cook

• Heat the oil in a pan, and add jeera, ajwain, and hing. Then add carrots and ginger. Add carrot and saute till soft.
• Make a puree of the above with added water as required.
• Take the puree in a pan and add salt and sugar as per your taste. Serve it hot.

5. Aloo methi

Fresh methi leaves are available in winter. It is a simple and easy-to-make recipe that can be enjoyed with chapatis. 

6. Oats and vegetable khichdi 

Ingredients 

Moong dal

Rice 

Jeera

Hing 

Onion

Green chilies 

Garlic

Turmeric 

Oats 

Veggies (carrots, beans, peas)

Method to cook

• Soak dal for 30 minutes. In a cooker heat oil and add jeera, hing, onion, turmeric, and garlic. Keep the flame low.
• Add oats, dal, and veggies, and let it cook for a few minutes. In 2-3 whistles the meal is ready to eat. 

7. Palak Mushroom vegetable 

Ingredients

Palak

Mushroom 

Oil

Ginger

Garlic

Jeera 

Onion

Tomatoes 

Dry methi leaves 

Fresh cream (optional)

Method to cook

• Cook spinach in a pan. Let it cool, then blend it to make a smooth paste.
• Heat oil in a pan, and add ginger, garlic, jeera, and other masalas.
• Add onion and tomatoes and cook till it becomes soft. Add mushrooms and cook for 2-3 minutes. 
• Now add the palak paste, dry methi leaves, and salt. Let it cook for 2 minutes and serve hot.
• You may or may not add fresh cream.

8. Mix vegetables 

The fresh available vegetables during winters are the favorite in winter. The recipe can be prepared as any other sabzi. You can add the vegetables of your choice such as potato, capsicum, carrot, peas, mushrooms, etc. 

9. Cauliflower and paneer kofta

Ingredients 

Grated paneer

Cauliflower 2 floret 

Onion

Garam masala

Mashed potato

Tomato puree

Coriander powder

Haldi

Jeera powder

Corn flour 

Method to cook  

• Grate the half-boiled cauliflower and roast it dry. 
• In a pan add mashed potatoes and grated paneer. Mix it well and add corn flour and other masalas.
• Mix all the ingredients and make balls of small size.
• Heat the oil and deep fry the balls till golden brown.
• In another pan heat oil and add the tomato puree. Cook it until the puree thickens. Add the masala and let it cook.
• After a few minutes add the fried koftas and serve it hot with rice or chapati.

There can be endless options for winter vegetable recipes. Some of the common winter vegetable recipes that are easy and quick to make include mooli parantha, palak curry, bhindi sabji, palak paneer, beetroot raita, beetroot kabab, aloo matar, matar mushroom, etc. 

Conclusion

Winters can make you crave high-calorie foods. Think wisely and look for a better and healthy alternative. Enjoy the coming winter with the listed healthy Indian winter vegetable recipes.