Depending on the part of earth your tribe traverses, there comes a part of the cycle where the days are short and nights are long. Ice and rain submerge the environment, and surviving becomes more difficult. It is during winter planning our ancestors were likely to quickly identify what plants and animals were most prolific prior to cold cycle; and It’s no surprise that late season root vegetables were of predictable harvest and facilitated long term storage. Root vegetables contain immense health benefits; such as being calorically dense, (potato) to providing substantial immune system support via vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Winter brings dearth of nutrient availability while providing increased insult to the immune system through infection; compounding risk of starvation. Perhaps there is an instinct remaining in us all that is universally fulfilled when eating a vegetable soup on a cold and rainy night. In any sense, Eating The Earth with season has practical applications; being easy to reproduce at home garden and economical for winter oriented meal prep wherever you may source. Below provides guidance on some of the most tasty, nutrient dense, and easy to grow root vegetables.
Onion
Onions thrive in full sun; 6-8 hours per day, taking 80-150 days to reach maturity, and harvested in late summer / early fall. If kept cool, dry and in well ventilated spaces, onions can be stored for weeks to months (sweet onions lesser). Negligible differences in nutrition between various colors.
Nutrition (medium size 110g)
- 44 Calories
- 10g Carbohydrates
- 2g Fiber (7-8% DV)
- 9mg Vitamin C (10% DV)
- 180mg Potassium (4-5% DV)
- 19micro-g Folate (5% DV)
Benefits: Contains antioxidants like quercetin and sulfur: supporting immunity while reducing inflammation.
Potato
Potatoes thrive in full sun; 6-8 hours per day, and taking 70-120 days to reach maturity, and harvested in late summer to early fall (depending on when planted). If kept cool, dark, and well ventilated, can remain fresh for 2-5 months. Nutrition doesn’t appear to matter much between species. Although sweet potato’s contain beta carotene (a precursor to vitamin A).
Nutrition (medium size 173g)
- 110 Calories
- 26g Carbohydrates
- 2g Fiber (7-8% DV)
- 12mg Vitamin C (13% DV)
- 620mg (13-14% DV)
- .4mg Vitamin B6 (20% DV)
- Also small amounts of folate, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron
Benefits: Compounds in the skin may help lower blood pressure and improve heart health. Great source of fiber and carbohydrates for sustained energy level.
Carrot
Carrots thrive in full sun; 6-8 hours per day, taking 70-80 days to reach maturity, and harvested in late summer and through fall (baby carrots can be harvested earlier).
Nutrition (medium size 61g)
- 25 Calories
- 6g Carbohydrates
- 2g Fiber (7-8% DV)
- 10K IU Vitamin A (200% DV)
- 8micrograms Vitamin K (10% DV)
- 3mg Vitamin C (4% DV)
- 250mg Potassium (5-6% DV)
Benefits: Rich in antioxidants (beta Carotene -> vitamin A in body). Essential for eye, skin, and immunity health, while being low in calories (a tool to be used for body composition management).
Garlic
Garlic thrive in full sun; 6-8 hours per day, taking 90-150 days to reach maturity, and harvested in spring / early summer.
Nutrition (3g clove)
- 5 Calories
- .1g Fiber
- 1mg Vitamin C (2% DV)
- .1mg Manganese (3-4% DV)
Benefits: Garlic is valued for it’s sulfur containing compounds that are responsible for antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-microbial properties.
Beets
Beets thrive in full sun; 6-8 hours daily, taking 55-70 days to reach maturity, and harvested in late spring to early fall.
Nutrition (1 cup, 136g)
- 58 Calories
- 13g Carbohydrates
- 3.8g Fiber (12% DV)
- 7mg of Vitamin C (11% DV)
- 148micrograms of Folate (37% DV)
- .3mg Manganese (15% DV)
- 442mg Potassium (12% DV)
Benefits: Containing betalains, that have antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties.
~Root Your Nutrition In The Earth.
