Winter Wonderland: 3 Farmers Market Buys

The weather outside may in fact be frightful, but farmers markets are nevertheless in full swing. While we at Zeel.com are fortunate enough to work just steps from the famed Union Square Greenmarket, farmers markets all around the country are buzzing with eager locavores who like their beef grass-fed and their produce pesticide-free.

If you thought farmers markets were reserved for spring, summer, and fall, then think again. Winter markets boast a cornucopia of fresh vegetables that make for delicious and wholesome homemade meals. Here's what we'll be shopping for in the Northeast. (And for the rest of you, check out this handy guide to seasonal produce around the country.)

Squash. Winter squash — the "adult" version of summer squash — can be steamed, grilled, puréed, roasted, or simply diced in its raw form into a scrumptious wintry salad. Squash contains large amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium, as well as folate, a vital nutrient for women trying to get pregnant. (Men need it too to strengthen their swimmers!) Best of all, squash is low in calories and can be used to add bulk to your meal — not your thighs.

Cabbage. Get this: A cup of raw, shredded cabbage packs in a mere 24 calories while delivering more than 50 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin C. While cabbage speeds collagen growth, which is important for the growth of strong skin cells, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels, it also helps to fight against cancer-causing agents. The healthiest way to eat cabbage is raw, but if you prefer to boil the leaves, remember: 10 minutes or less is more than enough time.

Carrots. Root vegetables are a winter staple. Chop them into a salad, boil them with hearty chicken soup, or roast them with chicken. Either way, you're bound to get a serious dose of beta-carotene — a nutrient that's easily converted into vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant. Beta-carotene is important for healthy eyes, a strong immune system, and efficient skin cell turnover. Though most carrots are traditionally orange, you may also find them at your local farmers market in purple, red, white, and yellow. Get creative!

— StacyAtZeel, Zeel