Russet potatoes, also known as Idaho potatoes, baking potatoes or chef's potatoes, are sturdy, oblong tubers with thick, brown skin. Russets are all-purpose potatoes that work well for frying, steaming, baking and roasting.

Microwave cooking translates to easy cooking. You can quickly cook vegetables in a microwave that you would normally steam on top of the stove. Simply place the vegetables in a microwave safe dish and add a small amount of water. Green beans, peas and broccoli need about 3 tbs.

Kiwis--also known as kiwi fruit or Chinese gooseberries--have twice as much vitamin C as oranges, and are also a great sources of vitamins K and E, potassium and fiber. The most effective way to absorb these nutrients is to eat the fruit fresh.

Whether you love to top your pasta with its sauce or just love eating them straight off of the vine, tomatoes are a healthy fruit and a rich source of vitamins A and C, as well as folic acid.

Cucumbers are staples in the average American diet, with large cucumbers typically eaten raw and small cucumbers pickled for long-term storage. Even though pickles are made from cucumber, they differ slightly from raw cucumber with respect to their nutrient content.

While high in carbohydrates, potatoes offer a number of nutrients that make it a healthy meal option. Potatoes contain high levels of potassium and vitamin C, along with dietary fiber, especially in the skin.

Broccoli and cauliflower add color, flavor and texture to salads, stir-fries, soups and casseroles. They are also a good source vitamin C and cancer-fighting antioxidants, according to the University of Maine.

Cooking vegetables on a grill is a quick and healthful technique. It requires little or no fat, depending on the vegetable, and won't leach away water-soluble vitamins as boiling can. However, there are times when a true grill isn't available. For those occasions, a grill pan can be a useful substitute.

Green bananas are a staple in Jamaica and other Caribbean nations, as well as in India and parts of Africa. In these countries, the green banana is treated more as a vegetable than a fruit, and it is most often prepared and used in dishes much as Americans use potatoes.

Bean sprouts, which are the edible offshoots of beans, are frequently used as a salad ingredient and a topping in sandwiches. They are highly nutritious, an excellent source of fiber, and high in both folate and vitamin C.

Red cabbage, often called purple cabbage because it tends to look more purple than red, turns into a visually depressing mess if not cooked in the right conditions. This is due to chemical reactions with substances in the water and metal with which it comes in contact.

Although onions can cause gas, they have nutrients that may be helpful for people with certain stomach ailments, such as gastritis. Many gastritis sufferers do not experience symptoms, but others develop nausea, abdominal pain, indigestion and vomiting.