Vegetable tips

++  Spring is here and fresh vegetables/fruits are more plentiful.  We all know the advice "Eat your vegetables! They're good for you."  Here are some tips (from the USDA) on making fruits and vegetables good for your taste buds: 

1.  Fire up the grill. Skewer mushrooms, carrots, peppers, peaches, and other favorites.
2. Add flavor and color to casseroles.
3. Go Italian.  Add peppers, spinach, red beans, onions, etc., to tomato sauce.
4. Create a colorful salad.  Add spinach, orange segments, berries, shredded carrots, sliced peppers, cauliflower florets. . . .
5. When eating out, head back to the salad bar for fruit instead of tempting yourself at the dessert cart.
6. Stir fry.  This is a cooking method, not a recipe.  Try it for a change of pace in cooking a mixture of vegetables. 
7. Add pizzazz to a sandwich or an omelet.  
8. Make a smoothie.  Frozen fruit works well, but experiment with other produce that you like.

and a tip from me:  Check out your local farmer's market.  You know the foods sold there are fresh, and you get a chance to visit with the grower.  You might save money, too.