Roasting Fall Vegetables for Your Kidney Diet

When the seasons change from summer to fall I look forward to cooler days, the  rustling sound of brightly colored leaves, and cooking comforting foods. This time of year, I crave warm foods and I enjoy roasting vegetables. Roasting is an easy method to bring out the sweet flavors of vegetables and to soften them. Autumn has a colorful variety of vegetable choices. For those following a lower potassium kidney friendly diet, vegetables lower in this mineral include: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, fennel, green beans, mushrooms onions, and peppers. A 1/2 cup serving of these vegetables contains less than 250 mg potassium.

Basics of Roasting Vegetables

My basic recipe for roasting vegetables includes preheating the oven to 400° F, then lining a sheet pan with aluminum foil (this makes cleanup easier later). Cut your vegetables into 1-2-inch pieces and add a tablespoon or two of your favorite oil. Mix thoroughly to coat the surface of the cut vegetables. Next, add any dry spices you want and mix thoroughly to coat the vegetables. Spread the vegetables evenly on the sheet pan and place on the middle rack of your oven. Timing of cooking depends on the vegetable. I generally cook softer vegetables for 15-20 minutes. Harder veggies, such as cauliflower, tend to take longer, 30 minutes or more. You can check for tenderness using a fork.

Using Spices

Spices add an additional layer of flavor to roasted vegetables. Some choices include black pepper, cayenne, cumin, coriander, garam masala, cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary and thyme. You can use one spice or a mixture of spices. Some vegetables I prefer with just oil and pepper. For cauliflower carrots and broccoli, I like to add a combination of spices such as coriander and cumin. You can start plain with just oil and experiment with dry spices as you try new vegetables.

Recipes and Videos

Try these Davita.com recipes as a start.

• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Carrots and Apples
• Roasted Cauliflower with Rosemary
• Roasted Vegetable Salad

Check out this Roasted Vegetable Salad recipe video from DaVita Eats

For a tasty fruit dessert to go with your roasted veggies try one of these DaVita recipes:

Ambrosia (Spanish version)

Strawberry Pudding (Budín de Fresa)

Checkout these kidney-friendly pantry foods to have on hand for meal preparation.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Consult your physician and dietitian regarding your specific diagnosis, treatment, diet and health questions.