Oven Roast Your Vegetables With Extra Virgin Olive Oil This Thanksgiving

Why Choosing The Best Olive Oil To Prepare Your Healthy Veg Is A Vote For Wellness

^{Updated October 31st 2024}

Can I Roast Vegetables With Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

Many home cooks and health enthusiasts are left pondering, “Can I roast vegetables with extra virgin olive oil?” The good news is, not only can you, but you absolutely should. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), known for its rich flavour and numerous health benefits, is a fantastic choice for roasting your veggies to perfection.

Extra virgin olive oil like Morocco Gold is made from cold-pressed olives, preserving the oil’s natural flavours and nutrients. This makes it an excellent choice for roasting vegetables, as it enhances their taste without overpowering their natural goodness.

As we gear up for Thanksgiving, if you’re looking for a healthy and delicious side dish to add to your meal, consider roasting your vegetables with extra virgin olive oil.

Not only does this method of cooking bring out the natural flavors of your vegetables, but it’s also a great way to boost their nutritional value. Extra virgin olive oil is rich in antioxidants and healthy monounsaturated fats, which can help reduce inflammation and lower your risk of heart disease. So, whether you’re looking to impress your guests with a flavorful vegetable dish or simply want to make a healthier choice this holiday season, be sure to give roasted vegetables with extra virgin olive oil a try!

The below selection of recipes from  Chroniclet.com  gives you a great range of options to use your extra virgin olive oil as a health infused addition to your Thanksgiving Spread.

Health Benefits Of Roasting Vegetables With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Roasting your vegetables with extra virgin olive oil not only enhances their flavour but also provides an array of health benefits. Firstly, Extra Virgin Olive Oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which are known to support heart health by reducing bad cholesterol levels and increasing good cholesterol.

In addition to its heart-healthy fats, extra virgin olive oil is packed with antioxidants, such as polyphenols. These powerful compounds help combat inflammation and protect cells from oxidative stress, which can lead to chronic diseases. By incorporating EVOO into your diet, you’re providing your body with essential nutrients that promote overall well-being.

Roasting vegetables with EVOO can also improve nutrient absorption. Many vitamins found in vegetables, like vitamins A, D, E, and K, are fat-soluble, meaning they require fat for proper absorption. When you roast vegetables with EVOO, you’re ensuring that your body can take full advantage of these essential vitamins.

Roasted Brussels sprouts With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

If you’ve been on the fence about Brussels sprouts, roasting them with extra virgin olive oil might just change your mind. This simple method transforms these tiny cabbages into crispy, savory bites that are sure to win over even the pickiest eaters.

1 ½ pounds Brussels sprouts (preferably small sprouts)
3 tablespoons Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil
¾ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut ends off Brussels sprouts and pull off any outer leaves.

Mix Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Pour them onto a sheet pan with edges. Roast for 25 to 35 minutes or until crisp on the outside and fork tender. Shake the pan from time to time to brown the sprouts evenly. Serve immediately.

Makes: 6 servings
Source: Ina Garten, the Food Network

Oven roasted broccoli With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/3 cup Panko bread crumbs
1 pound broccoli, ends trimmed
2 tablespoons Morocco Gold extra-virgin olive oil
2 small cloves garlic, minced (more or less to taste preference)
Salt and pepper to taste (about ¼ teaspoon each)
¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (or grated sharp cheddar cheese)

Toast Panko bread crumbs in a skillet for about 2 minutes or just until lightly browned. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 425-degrees. Cut broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. Cut the stalks into
1/8-inch-thick round slices. Place broccoli, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and toasted Panko bread crumbs into a large bowl. Toss to coat evenly.

Spread broccoli mixture into a 13×9-inch metal cake pan. Roast just until broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven. Sprinkle cheese on top and serve immediately.

Makes: 4 servings
Variation: Use half broccoli and half cauliflower. Omit bread crumbs and use freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Source: Based on recipe from Alton Brown at www.foodnetwork.com

Cauliflower popcorn With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Small head of cauliflower
Morocco Gold Extra virgin olive oil
Grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 425-degrees.
Wash cauliflower and pat dry. Remove the core and cut cauliflower into small popcorn sized pieces.
Place cauliflower into a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil. Liberally sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Rub cheese into cauliflower. Evenly spread cauliflower onto a rimmed baking sheet.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until the top of the cauliflower gets toasty. Serve immediately.
Eat like popcorn.

SOURCE: Amy Roskelley at www.superhealthykids.com

Key Reasons To Roast Your Vegetables With Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A Reminder

Roasting vegetables with extra virgin olive oil is a culinary technique worth mastering. Here’s a quick reminder of why you should make Extra Virgin Olive Oil your go-to choice for roasting vegetables.

First, extra virgin olive oil enhances the natural flavours of your vegetables. Its rich, fruity taste complements a wide variety of produce, bringing out their best attributes without overpowering their delicate notes.

Second, EVOO is packed with nutrients that support your health. From heart-healthy fats to powerful antioxidants, extra virgin olive oil offers numerous benefits that make it a smart choice for your cooking endeavours.

Finally, roasting with EVOO can improve the nutritional value of your vegetables. The fat-soluble vitamins in your veggies are better absorbed when cooked with a healthy fat like EVOO, ensuring your body receives the nutrients it needs.

Incorporating extra virgin olive oil into your roasting routine is an easy way to elevate your cooking while supporting a healthy lifestyle. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, EVOO is a versatile and delicious addition to your kitchen repertoire.

Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil is incredibly versatile, to have on its own also as an excellent cooking medium and a flavouring ingredient. It is becoming more and more popular as a dressing for salads and pasta, for finishing cooked dishes and for dipping with bread and raw vegetables before a meal.

High quality extra virgin olive oils like Morocco Gold are also like fine wines. They are the product of the type of olive, the soil conditions in which the olives grow, the climate and the time the olives are harvested and pressed. This means there are a whole range of flavour profiles.

It’s so versatile that you can use it in both savoury and sweet dishes, so why don’t you try baking with it, as well as cooking? It’s actually a healthier option than butter so if that’s a concern for you this January, try it instead in your homemade cakes and biscuits, and see what you think.