Seeing Green

The Eating of the Green

When you're eating for your health, it pays to go for the green. Not only do these recipes with verdant vegetables, fruits, and emerald-colored herbs contain disease-preventing antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, they're also low in fat and calories. This month, make green your lucky color.

Kiwi Colada

Add a creamy green hue to a classic pineapple-coconut cocktail with kiwifruit and melon liqueur.

Recipe: Kiwi Colada

Avocado-Tomatillo Dip with Cumin Pita Chips

Tomatillos add extra tartness to this smooth guacamole-style dip. Serve with chips, or use it as a topping for chicken or fish.

Recipe: Avocado-Tomatillo Dip with Cumin Pita Chips

Cucumber Soup

Cucumber, avocado, and fresh dill all contribute to the beautiful jade tint of this chilled soup. Enjoy it as a first course or as part of a light lunch.

Recipe: Cucumber Soup

Green Beans with Bacon

Green beans remain one of the most popular green vegetables, and they're even better when topped with sautéed shallots and crumbled bacon.

Recipe: Green Beans with Bacon

Ginger-Garlic Broccolini

If you're in a rut with plain broccoli, try broccolini, a cross between broccoli and Chinese kale. The Asian-inspired flavors of ginger and rice wine complement the peppery bite of this crisp green.

Recipe: Ginger-Garlic Broccolini

Asparagus Salad with Piquillo Peppers and Capers

The name piquillo means "little beak". These small peppers are grown in Northern Spain, hand-picked, and roasted over open fires. The peppers are then peeled by hand then packed in jars or tins. They add a spicy-sweet flavor to this steamed asparagus salad–but it you can't find them, use roasted red bell peppers.

Recipe: Asparagus Salad with Piquillo Peppers and Capers

Fava, Sweet Pea, and Sugar Snap Salad

With four green ingredients–fava beans, sweet peas, sugar snap peas, and mint–this recipe makes the all-star list of fresh green dishes. A red wine vinegar and Dijon mustard vinaigrette adds a little zing to the sweet and tender veggies.

Recipe: Fava, Sweet Pea, and Sugar Snap Salad

Mixed Greens and Nectarine Salad

A three-ingredient, 5-minute green salad is an ideal accompaniment for any main dish. For a truly green-themed dish, replace the nectarine with either Granny Smith apple or green pear.

Recipe: Mixed Greens and Nectarine Salad

Edamame Succotash with Shrimp

Bright, shiny edamame (green soy beans) replace the lima beans in a traditional succotash. The addition of shrimp transforms a traditional vegetable side dish into a satisfying main.

Recipe: Edamame Succotash with Shrimp