These days, a well-prepared plate of veggies can be more rewarding to your palate than a slab of steak or a perfectly seared piece of tuna. Here are eight vegetable dishes you should be trying out this month.
Black Pig Bistro Catalan-style Kale
Chefs John Michael MacNeil and Alison MacNeil put their Spanish spin on everyone’s favourite green by mixing in raisins and pine nuts and finishing it all off with some cream.
825 1 Ave. N.E., 403-460-0350, blackpigbistro.com, @blackpigbistro
Boxwood Cafe Roasted Poplar Bluff Carrots
Sweet, local carrots with warming spices like coriander and cumin get roasted until they begin to caramelize and are finished off with some cilantro yogurt to mellow things out.
340 13 Ave. S.W., 403-265-4006, boxwoodcafe.ca, @boxwoodcalgary
Corbeaux Bakeshop Lentil Salad
Roasted beets and lentils join forces on a plate alongside some crumbled goat’s cheese and lemon zest for a dish that is surprisingly filling. Save room for some pastries, though.
730 17 Ave. S.W., 403-265-2112, corbeaux.com, @corbeauxbake
Divino Bistro Tempura Green Beans
A long-time classic at this Stephen Avenue institution, these green guys never get old. Long, tender beans are battered and then fried to crisp perfection.
113 8 Ave. S.W., 403-410-5555, crmr.com/divino, @divino_bistro
Local on 8th Avenue Fried Cauliflower
You can’t walk down a block in this city without seeing cauliflower on a menu. Local on 8th’s variation on the popular ingredient is made tossed with fried capers, garlic, citrus and bread crumbs. At only $5.50, it’s good value too.
310 8 Ave. S.W., 403-264-7808, localon8thave.com, @localon8thave
Oak Tree Tavern Dill Pickle Soup
Soup is usually a starter, but if you’re getting it beside a sandwich, I think that classifies as a side dish. For the pickle lover, the soup is rich and briny with diced pickles and comes with a big piece of garlic toast for dipping. Perfect for a cold day.
124 10 St. N.W., 403-270-3347, oaktreetavern.com, @oaktreeyyc
The Nash Lettuce and Beetroot Salad
A mixture of coloured beets, both thinly sliced and quartered, spiced pecans and local chvre on a bed of perfectly dressed greens makes this bright bowl of salad a real winner. (note: the half order of the salad is sizeable enough for two to share alongside main plates)
925 11 St. S.E., 403-984-3365, thenashyyc.com, @thenashyyc
Posto Brussels Sprouts
Roasted sprouts are tossed with chunks of prosciutto and chopped hazelnuts for a nice crunch. Definitely not the childhood dish you remember.
1014 8 St. S.W., 403-263-4876, posto.ca, @postocalgary