From wearing green clothes to drinking green beer, everyone seems to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.
Why not take it one step further and eat green food, too?
Not only is it in the spirit of the day but eating green foods can be good for you too. How lucky! Here are some of our favorite green foods and recipes to inspire your menu on March 17th and beyond.
Breakfast
Incorporate baby spinach into your morning and start the celebration early with a Get Your Greens Smoothie opens in a new tab.This dish of Savory Oats with Hearty Greens opens in a new tab is a delicious departure from sweet breakfasts.
Lunch
Enjoy a Quick Hummus and Vegetable-Stuffed Pita opens in a new tab packed full of your favorite green veggies like cucumber, lettuce, avocado and sprouts.
Or get your green on with mini pizzas opens in a new tab. Raw spinach (or kale leaves) make a surprising pesto for this good-for-you pizza.
Snacks
Are you a salty snacker? Try Roasted Kale Chips with Parmigiano-Reggiano opens in a new tab.They’re a crowd-pleaser as snack or a side! Using green garbanzos instead of the regular dried variety, make a green hummus opens in a new tab to brighten up your afternoon. Double down on green with this tasty guacamole opens in a new tab, featuring edamame and avocado. It’s great as a dip or sandwich spread. Or try Baked Feta with Kale Pesto opens in a new tab, delicious bites that pack on the green and the flavor.
Soup, Salads and Sides
Consider serving Creamy Spring Asparagus Soup opens in a new tab on it's own or as the start of a meal. Add green asparagus "coins" to this Irish Cheddar Soup opens in a new tab. Or follow the veggie rainbow to this kale slaw opens in a new tab of gold . . . red and green! It’s perfect for a potluck too. This Lentil and Couscous Salad with Arugula opens in a new tabtriples the green factor with green lentils, arugula and pesto. Yum, yum and yum. Alternatively serve a Waldorf salad opens in a new tab. It may be classically American, but you can make it holiday appropriate and get some of your greens too by adding kale. Creamy Sesame Greens opens in a new tab makes a gloriously green side dish.
Dinner
Serve up the classic American St. Patrick’s Day feast of Corned Beef and Cabbage Rolls opens in a new tab or try this twist on the popular dish of Bubble and Squeak opens in a new tab. (Funny name. Great taste.) Another tasty option is Cabbage and Cheddar Gratin opens in a new tab.
Serve it alongside corned beef, or on its own as a vegetarian main dish. For a colorful, nutrient-dense vegetarian dinner full of flavor and ready in under 15 minutes, try Greens with Carrots and Feta opens in a new tab.
Dessert
How about finishing the meal with something a little sweet and a little green like Zucchini Bread opens in a new tab? Cranberry-Pistachio Oatmeal Lace Cookies opens in a new tab, flecked with green nuts, hit the mark too.
Finally, don’t forget about green tea, an antioxidant drink with plenty of benefits. While it may not be your brew of choice on March 17th, it might just hit the spot the following day. Sláinte (to your health)!
Is your menu going green this St. Patrick’s Day? We’d love to hear what you have planned.
