Winter brings a bumper crop

of root vegetables like turnips, rutabagas and parsnips; squash; brussels

sprouts; and more. Apples and pumpkins are the foundation of a variety

of comforting, homey desserts. Here are some tips to help you chase away

the winter chill by adding the flavors and healthy benefits of winter

produce.

As always, the key to buying

the best produce is to know what you're looking for. No matter what

the season, look for fruits and vegetables with good color; stay away

from produce with bruising, blemishes, soft spots or shriveling.

For additional help in selecting

produce, especially items you haven't tried before, visit www.aboutproduce.com.

This easy-to-use Web site features an "A to Z" guide to produce

that includes useful information on the peak season for any given item,

nutrition information and selection tips. You can also "ask the experts"

if you have a question that isn't answered on the site. Best of all,

the site includes hundreds of recipes that show you how to put the produce

to work on the dinner table. From asparagus to zucchini and everything

in between, you'll find it all here.

Here are two delicious recipes

sure to warm you up this winter.

Pesto Minestrone

This full-flavored soup is

also full of healthy vegetables.

2 cups cauliflower (2 small

heads), coarsely chopped

1 1/2 cups zucchini (1-2 medium),

chopped

3 cans (14.5 ounces) chicken

broth, reduced sodium

1 16-ounce can tomatoes, diced,

drained

1 cup elbow macaroni or small

pasta shells

3 cups kidney beans or black-eyed

peas, drained and rinsed (1 cup dry makes 3 cups cooked) or 2 cans (15

ounces each)

1 cup carrot (1 medium), sliced

1 cup onion (1 medium), chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil (for

pesto)

2 garlic cloves (for pesto)

1 cup basil leaves, fresh,

loosely packed OR (for pesto)

1 cup Italian parsley plus

1 teaspoon dried basil leaves (for pesto)

1 tablespoon water

In a 5 to 6 quart saucepan

bring to boil 1/2 cup water, tomatoes, cauliflower, onion and carrots;

reduce heat and simmer covered 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Add zucchini, beans, broth and pasta. Return to a boil, reduce heat and

simmer uncovered 10 minutes. Meanwhile put all pesto ingredients in food

processor or blender and process until very finely chopped. Just before

serving, remove soup from heat and stir in pesto. Makes 8 servings.

Golden Apple Oatmeal

Start your day off right with

a steaming bowl of this hearty (and heart healthy) oatmeal.

1/2 cup Golden Delicious apples,

diced

1/3 cup apple juice

1/3 cup water

1/8 teaspoon salt

Dash of cinnamon

Dash of nutmeg

1/3 cup quick-cooking rolled

oats, uncooked

Combine apples, apple juice,

water and seasoning; bring to a boil. Stir in rolled oats; cook 1 minute.

Cover and let stand several minutes before serving. Makes a 1-cup serving.

For more recipes, as well as

nutrition and buying information for all types of produce, visit www.aboutproduce.com.

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