(BPT) - Holiday gatherings are all about friends, family, and fabulous food - and adding more fruits and veggies to the mix can be a great way to keep the party delicious and nutritious. Only 1 in 10 U.S. adults meet the CDC's recommended daily intake of 1.5-2 cup-equivalents of fruit and 2-3 cup-equivalents of vegetables. This holiday season, Fresh Del Monte, one of the world's leading providers of high-quality fresh produce, is sharing creative and easy ways to get your fill of nutritious fruits and veggies during holiday celebrations.
1. Enhance your stuffing with pineapple
Add pineapple to your stuffing for a sweet and tropical twist. Fresh Del Monte's Gold® Pineapple Stuffing recipe elevates classic holiday stuffing combining the savory flavors of traditional stuffing with the brightness of pineapple, making it a flavorful way to incorporate more fruit into your holiday spread.
2. Make a flavorful side dish
Vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots and sweet potatoes are a great side dish and addition to any food spread. In fact, Fresh Del Monte offers a unique and delicious Skillet Brussel Sprouts recipe with toasted walnuts and dried cranberries that will surely delight your guests!
3. Treat your guests to a delicious and sweet pineapple as an appetizer or dessert!
Did you know that pineapples are a traditional symbol of hospitality? Serving guests a sweet, juicy pineapple as an appetizer or dessert is the perfect way to honor this iconic fruit's history while offering a delicious starter without extensive preparation. In fact, this year Fresh Del Monte launched "You're Welcome," a campaign that reminds people of pineapple's rich history and Fresh Del Monte's role in revolutionizing the iconic tropical fruit with a range of innovative new varieties.
4. Create a classic fruit-based dessert
Indulge in your sweet craving and simply add fresh fruit to your dessert. Try Fresh Del Monte's Buttermilk Peach or Nectarine Cobbler. Loaded with peaches or nectarines, this comforting cobbler is an easy and delicious way to satisfy your guests' sweet tooth while bringing fresh fruit into a holiday dessert spread.
5. Blend veggies into mashed potatoes
Incorporate mashed cauliflower or parsnips into traditional mashed potatoes for a lighter, healthier twist. This not only boosts the nutritional value but also maintains the creamy texture that everyone loves, creating a deliciously satisfying side dish.
6. Offer a colorful vegetable platter with dips
There's an old saying that "we eat with our eyes first," so why not dazzle guests at your holiday party with a vibrant spread of colorful vegetables? Present an array of colorful vegetables alongside delicious dips like creamy hummus, zesty guacamole or yogurt-based ranch dressing. This is a great way to provide an easy-to-prepare and nutritious snack before the meal - and it's guaranteed to impress your guests and enhance your holiday spread.
7. Brighten up your holiday parties with colorful and sweet beverages
Elevate your holiday drinks and add fresh fruit to cocktails or mocktails. Slices of citrus, berries or pineapple add vibrant color and infuse your beverages with refreshing flavors, making them festive and enjoyable. A great option is Fresh Del Monte's Blushing Oasis Fizz With Pinkglow® Pineapple recipe, which perfectly combines taste and visual appeal for your holiday gatherings.
For more nutritious Fresh Del Monte fruit- and vegetable-based recipes, please visit https://delmontefresh.com/recipes.
