Fruits & Vegetables: Nutrition, Culinary Uses & Preservation

Variety comparisons and diverse culinary forms, such as juices or dried extracts, determine the nutritional value and physiological impact of plant-based diets on systemic health.

Sun Dried Tomatoes on Wooden Table

How to Store and Freeze Sun-Dried Tomatoes

A single sun-dried tomato can change the entire flavor of a meal. A tomato that is dehydrated in the sun develops an intense flavor and chewy texture without losing the nutrients, including vitamins A and C and the antioxidant lycopene, that make tomatoes a valuable part of your diet.

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Butternut squash cut in half on a wooden surface

How to Know When Butternut Squash Is Ready to Cook

The perfect butternut squash is dense, sweet and versatile enough to feature in every meal of the day. A squash that's been picked too soon or is past its prime, however, will be dried out or mushy and flavorless.

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Pumpkin stew with rice and meat

How to Eat Gourds

Gourds are a staple in autumnal centerpieces on dinner tables, while their cousins like pumpkins and melons more often make it to the dinner plate. Many gourds are best left to fall crafts, but a few are edible and flexible enough to be used in a variety of dishes.

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Papaya

How to Eat a Raw Papaya

Papayas may have their origins in Central America, but they've become a staple of U.S. grocery stores for a reason. The bright orange flesh of this fruit is not only sweet and refreshing, but according to "Whole Living" magazine, one papaya contains almost three days' worth of vitamin C.

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