The 9 Best Winter Foods

Just because it's winter doesn't mean you should skip the produce aisle. For starters, the cold months are the perfect time to branch out to bolder fruits, and some of the best hit their peak just in time to snap your tastebuds out of their winter funk. "Many offer a great combination or sweet flavor and an acidic tang," says chef Theo Roe of the Culinary Institute of America. "They're refreshing and can provide a nice mental boost during long, cold winters." We selected the five on this list because they also have health-boosting potential.

But here's the catch: A healthy diet is made from more than just fruit. Canadian scientists recently compared the cancer-protective properties of 33 vegetables and found that the most powerful tumor fighters - brussels sprouts, leeks, beets, and kale - are often among the ones least likely to land on your plate. If you find these 4 winter vegetables hard to swallow, use our tips to unlock their flavor potential. For a list of all-season farmer's markets in your area, check localharvest.org. Or just stay in bed and order online!

Fruit	Vegetable
#1 - Pomegranate Pomegranate seeds are high in polyphenols, plant chemicals that fight inflammation. Mix the seeds into oatmeal for more flavor and crunch.	#1 - Brussels Sprouts Remove the outer layer of leaves, trim the stems, and toss with olive oil and sea salt. Place them on a baking sheet and roast at 425 degree-F until they're nicely browned.
#2 - Persimmon The antioxidants in persimmons can help control diabetes and the cell damage it causes. Serve the fruit with prosciutto and fresh mozzarella.	#2 - Leeks Many restaurants offer potato-leek soup in the winter, but you can also finely slice leeks and add them to omelets, salads, and rice.
#3 - Kiwifruit One kiwi contains about 100 milligrams of immunity-boosting vitamin C. Add kiwi slices to a spinach salad.	#3 - Beets Wrap one or two beets in foil and bake them in a 350 degree-F oven for an hour or until they're cooked through. Then cut them into cubes to toss into a salad of greens and crumbled goat cheese. Add a drizzle of walnut oil.
#4 - Guava One cup of raw guava contains more than 8,500 micrograms of the antioxidant lycopene, which may help prevent coronary artery disease. Pair it with blue cheese and figs for a snack.	#4 - Kale To temper kale's bitter taste, gently sauté it with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, chopped garlic, and pine nuts.
#5 - Pomelo Pomelos pack flavanones, a class of antioxidants that have been shown to help prevent the spread of cancerous cells. Include them in a topping for a dessert sorbet.