During December, we eat lots of special holiday dishes including decadent desserts. December is also a time to get back to our roots – root veggies, that is because December is National Root Vegetables Month.
Root vegetables are healthy, versatile and delicious. See how healthy they are in 10 Healthy Roots to Try Besides Potatoes, Onions and Carrots and the Healing Hormonal Benefits of Cooked Root Vegetables. What are root vegetables? Root veggies include beets, carrots, celery root, daikon, garlic, ginger, horseradish, Jerusalem artichokes, jicama, kohlrabi, onions, parsnips, radishes, rutabagas, turmeric, turnips, yams, and yucca. Most root veggies are in season during the winter months, even though you can buy them year-round.
Root vegetables can be cooked in every way you can think of – braised, steamed, grilled, braised, and roasted – you get the idea. Read The Best Ways to Chop and Prep Your Favorite Root Veggies and then check out How to Cook With Delicious Root Veggies – 10 Different Ways!
If many of these root veggies are new to you or you’re just not sure what to do with them, we’ve got you covered. Here are 31 root vegetable recipes so you can enjoy these humble veggies all month long.
1. Rutabaga Fries with Basil Mayo
If you’re craving fries but don’t want to ingest a boatload of salt and grease, these Rutabaga Fries with Basil Mayo are for you! Rutabaga is a sweeter seasonal alternative to the ubiquitous potato, and they taste oh-so-delicious when dipped into the homemade vegan basil mayonnaise.
2. Super Simple Potato Curry
This Super Simple Potato Curry can be on your table in practically no time. It’s also an inexpensive dish and can feed a crowd, so it’s great for your budget and your tummy. You may even want to double the serving because everyone will go back for seconds.
3. Easy Roasted Root Veggies
This Roasted Root Veggies recipe is a healthy and easy vegan recipe, perfect to warm you up. It’s got pumpkin, carrots, sweet potato, and beetroots with lots of herbs and spices. This is a dish that celebrates root vegetables deliciously.
4. Kohlrabi Schnitzel Burger
This Kohlrabi Schnitzel Burger is super delicious! Kohlrabi (or German turnip or turnip cabbage) is the base for these burgers. Kohlrabi Schnitzels are great with potatoes or rice, but they make an awesome burger patty topped with the homemade Thousand Island dressing.
5. Malai Kofta (Potato Dumplings in Spiced Tomato Sauce)
Traditionally, Malai Kofta is a rich combination of fried potato, veggie, and cheese meatball/dumplings floating in a creamy spiced tomato sauce. Of course, this version is vegan and gluten-free but it has all of the tastiness and fragrant flavors. Served with rice or flat bread, it really is a treat.
6. Ginger Garlic Chickpeas
You may not think of garlic and ginger as root vegetables, but they are. These Ginger Garlic Chickpeas are such a delicious snack. Made with a hint of sweetness from maple syrup, you’ll need to make a lot of these because they are addicting.
7. Chili Cheese Turnip/Yam Fries
Who wouldn’t love a big plate of cheesy fries? These Chili Cheese Turnip Fries use turnips instead of potatoes. Topped with a homemade chili cheese sauce, these fries will make you the most popular home on the block.
8. Protein Packed Mediterranean Beet Sliders
Beet burgers are all the rage right now, and these beautiful Beet Sliders are inspired by vibrant Mediterranean flavors. Chickpeas, eggplant, and, tahini join with beets and quinoa to make a fusion burger that’s absolutely out of this world! Plus, they’re absolutely stuffed full of protein (thanks, chickpeas, and quinoa!) and baked. These are burgers that will lift you right up and keep you going all day!
9. Carrot Dogs
These Carrot Dogs look like hot dogs, smell like hot dogs and they even taste like hot dogs, especially when they have all the toppings. Made with just carrots and the marinade, these are a great alternative to store-bought veggie dogs.
10. Root Veggie au Gratin
This amazing Root Veggie au Gratin must grace your table at some point, preferably sooner rather than later. It’s a take on Potato au Gratin, only using root veggies like rutabaga, parsnips, turnips, and celery root and a cashew based sauce. Try it – you won’t be sorry.
11. Gingery Carrot and Daikon Salad
If you’ve never tried daikon before, this Gingery Carrot and Daikon Salad is a great place to start. The daikon is shaped into ribbons with carrotsand bell peppers. The orange juice in the dressing is perfect for the fresh peppery taste of the daikon.
12. Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Truffle Oil
Winter weather calls for making soup. This Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Truffle Oil has sunchokes cooked with onion and garlic. The truffle oil adds a luxurious touch and makes the soup feel really special.
13. Spring Onion Farro Fritters With Fresh Peas, Asparagus, Radish and Tahini Mint Dressing
These Spring Onion Farro Fritters are made with all whole foods, plus they’re plant-based and so delicious. The fritters are made with farro and top a salad with fresh peas, asparagus, and radishes. The tahini mint dressing is perfect. You’ll love this salad.
14. Red Cabbage and Jicama Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce
If you love Thai or Vietnamese spring rolls, you can make them at home. These Red Cabbage and Jicama Spring Rolls also have cabbage, cucumber and lots of fresh basil, mint, and cilantro. The peanut dipping sauce is rich, flavorful and delicious.
15. (Fish-Style) Parsnip Fillets
While parsnip and fish don’t seem to have much in common, these (Fish-Style) Parsnip Fillets may surprise you. Lemon pepper, bread crumbs, oil, remoulade, lemon juice, and dill give the parsnips a flavor reminiscent of seafood. It’s served with a homemade creamy remoulade that finishes the dish perfectly.
16. Best Beet Reuben
Typically, a Reuben sandwich is made with corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese all slapped together between a couple of saucy slices of rye bread. This Best Beet Reuben is very similar, just veg-ified. Nice thinly sliced beets and turnip instead of the corned beef, fermented cashew cheese instead of regular Swiss and some seriously punchy raw sauerkraut. Rye bread specifically adds a level of nuttiness, a dense earthy molasses-y flavor that is perfect for the punchiness of the sauerkraut. The sauce, which is a tangy delight, just tops it all off.
17. Kohlrabi Spaghetti alla Foriana
Instead of regular pasta, try using kohlrabi noodles to make this Kohlrabi Spaghetti alla Foriana. The intense flavor from the walnuts, pine nuts, and garlic is ridiculously delicious, you’ll wonder why you didn’t know about this recipe sooner.
18. Roasted Root Vegetables on Quinoa with Yogurt Sauce
Nothing makes vegetables taste as good as roasting them does. It brings out their natural sweetness. These Roasted Root Vegetables are served over quinoa. Then it’s all topped with non-dairy yogurt spiked with horseradish and dill. The piquant taste of the sauce provides a perfect counterbalance to the sweet root vegetables.
19. Raw Carrot Cake
Root veggies are not only great in savory dishes but in desserts too. This Raw Carrot Cake is a healthy version of a favorite dessert. It’s packed with healthy fats and fresh spices. Apples, dates, pecans, raisins, and walnuts make it sweet and delicious.
20. Dill Pickle French Fries
These Dill Pickle French Fries are salty, tangy and bursting with dill flavor just like dill pickle chips! Apple cider vinegar gives these fries a tangy flavor and they are seasoned with fresh dill, garlic powder and mustard powder. This is a yummy variation on the usual French fries.
21. Curried Carrot and Parsnip Soup
This flavorful Curried Carrot and Parsnip Soup is a great way to give new life to any leftover roasted veggies you might have. It’s creamy with a little heat from the curry powder and makes a terrific meal alongside some crusty bread and a simply dressed green salad.
22. Yam Enchiladas
These Yam Enchiladas are quite delicious and quite simple to make. The sauce and the filling can be made in advance so when dinner comes around all you have to do is warm the tortillas, stuff and roll them and slather them in sauce. Put them in the oven and voila! Dinner is served.
23. Kremidotiganites (Greek Savory Onion Pancakes)
Savory pancakes (tiganites) are a staple in Greek cooking. These Kremidotiganites have a light batter with assorted vegetable fillings. They make a delicious, satisfying meal as well as a great quick snack. These have the perfect combination of sweet white onions and a bit of fresh mint that makes these savory onion pancakes irresistible!
24. Liquid Gold Turmeric Latte
This beautiful, healthy Turmeric Latte is spicy and slightly sweet with the color of gold warming your insides and lifting your soul. However, most notably it will Support your health by boosting your immune system and reducing inflammation, thanks to the turmeric! Cheers to that!
25. Potato and Spinach Cheddar Fritters With Horseradish Dipping Sauce
These Potato and Spinach Cheddar Fritters couldn’t be easier. They’re just potatoes, spinach, and vegan cheddar with a bit of flour to hold them together. Served with a spicy horseradish dipping sauce, these are simply elegant.
26. Winter Kale Vegetable Stew with Rutabaga Noodles
Surprise your taste buds by spiralizing rutabaga into noodles for this Winter Kale Vegetable Stew. It makes the dish much more filling. You’ll feel like you’re eating a pasta dish and veggie stew all at once.
27. Easy Roasted Sunchokes
Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem artichokes, are root veggies and actually a part of the sunflower family! They taste a bit like a cross between artichokes and potatoes. These Easy Roasted Sunchokes are roasted to perfection with garlic, thyme, and olive oil.
28. Coconut and Turmeric Roast Potatoes
Coconut flour makes a delicious coating on roast potatoes and it’s gluten- and grain-free. These Coconut and Turmeric Roast Potatoes make a fantastic and healthier option if you’re craving a breaded French fry on the side of your meal. Yum!
29. Nigerian Yam and “Eggs”
Yam and egg are staples in most Nigerian households. This Nigerian Yam and “Eggs” is an easy as pie dish that you’ll love to eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Anything really is possible in the world of vegan cooking and with a touch of adventure and experimentation in the kitchen, there’s no reason to miss out on anything.
30. Crispy, Crunchy Cornmeal and Pepita Onion Rings
Say goodbye to greasy onion rings and say hello to these lovely baked beauties instead! These Crispy, Crunchy Cornmeal and Pepita Onion Rings have a mixture of cornmeal and crushed pepitas (otherwise known as pumpkin seeds) that givethese unique onion rings a crunchy coating and a unique blend of flavors. Dip them in your favorite sauce for an extra special treat!
31. Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts and Bourgal Salad with Maple-Orange Dressing
This Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts and Bourgal Salad is a warming one. Earthy and sweet at the same time, nutty with a hint of crunch, and a breeze of fresh from the mint. Delicious freshly made, and even better the next day. The maple-orange dressing is bright and delicious.
Yum! You can have a different root veggie recipe every day this month. What a delicious and healthy way to end the year!
Lead image source: Rutabaga Fries with Basil Mayo
