Page 15 - ARUBA TODAY

A15
LOCAL Tuesday 1 augusT 2017
Fruit Loose & Veggie Boost

Continued from Previous Page
Both sweet and sour in egar. The veggie contains
taste, the fruit contains a multiple B vitamins, includ-
significant level of vitamin ing vitamin B1, vitamin B5,
C, as well as vitamin E, B and vitamin B7 (biotin).
vitamins, calcium, iron, B vitamins are known to
phosphorous, potassium, help ease feelings of anxi-
manganese, and dietary ety and buffer some of the
fiber. damaging effects of stress.
There are also a number of Additionally this veggie is
organic compounds that rich in two of the most ba-
make tamarind a power- sic elements needed for
ful antioxidant and anti- healthy digestion: water
inflammatory agent. Sea- and fiber. Season: year-
son: March. round.
When it comes to veggies
the island certainly offers Jambo
a home-grown selection. Family of Okra, also known
They taste delicious and as ‘lady’s fingers’: a green
have their specific talents flowering plant. Okra be-

for a side dish or snack. Caribbean living we only
Long beans have a chewy, have to concern our-
crunchy texture–more so selves with a wet season
than snap beans–and a and a dry season. Still we
flavor reminiscent of the do indulge heavily in the
dry navy bean or aspara- pleasures of pumpkin and
gus. Besides stir-fry, soups enjoy Caribbean pumpkin
and salads, the long bean recipes year round.
is a good choice for stew- A popular dish in Aruban
ing, braising (to remain restaurants is Sopa Di Pom-
chewy and firm), sautéing, puna, don’t miss it.
shallow frying, and deep This dish is made of pump-
frying. kin soup, and parsley.
With cooking, the long Pumpkins are rich in fla-
bean’s bean flavor intensi- vonoid polyphenolic anti-
fies. Long beans are low in oxidants such as xanthin,
calories, about 45 calories lutein and carotenes and
per cup, and rich in vita- also contain vitamins.
min A and also contain Pumpkin seeds are a good
vitamin C and potassium. source of omega-3 fatty
Season: year-round. acids, vitamins, minerals
and proteins. Pumpkins
Pompuna are used to make desserts,
In the endless summer of breads and soups.

to boost your immune sys- longs to the same plant
tem. family as hibiscus and cot-
tart the day with a ‘ba- ton. A classic favorite dish
tida’ (smoothie) enriched in Aruba is Sopi di Jambo.
with a local veggie touch It has long been favored
or select your restaurant as a food for the health-
that offers local vegetable conscious.
dishes to get the real pure It contains potassium, vi-
taste of it. tamin B, vitamin C, folic
acid, and calcium. It’s low
Konkomber chiquito in calories and has a high
This is a sort of local squash, dietary fiber content. Re-
but looks like a cucumber cently, a new benefit of in-
with prickly skin. The taste cluding okra in your diet is
however is bitterer than being considered.
the cucumber and the Okra has been suggested
vegetable is smaller in size to help manage blood
but bigger in width. Inside sugar in cases of type 1,
is a soft, fleshy pulp and type 2, and gestational
seeds, just like the cucum- diabetes. Season: year-
ber. Konkomber chiquito round.
is grown in the island and
used in salads and ‘stoba’ Bonchi’ Cunucu
(stew) or on its own in vin- A long, small bean, boiled