Purple is not simply a popular trend

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Purple is not simply a popular trend in fashion. This color of royalty, dubbed the "new black" by fashionistas, is also the new black in food.In produce aisles, at farmers markets and on restaurant menus, you can now find a growing array of heirloom and specialty vegetables with a distinctive purple hue - purple potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, beans, corn, asparagus, peppers, baby artichokes and cauliflower."I'm a huge fan of purple," said Chicago chef Rick Tramonto, who features purple potatoes and purple cauliflower on the menu at Tru restaurant. "I love the color and texture; there is more earth to it."Beyond the pleasing appearance on the plate, the purple color is a cue for nutritional power.The dark pigments responsible for the purplish tones are called anthocyanins, a type of phytonutrient, or plant compound, hailed for its potential

disease-fighting benefits. Studies suggest anthocyanins may help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. Some evidence indicates these purple pigments may protect our brain as we age.Anthocyanins belong to the flavonoids family of plant compounds. They are among the most potent of all phytonutrients and have gained the attention of scientists worldwide."If I could only eat one color per day, it would be purple," said ph, a neuroscientist at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University and co-author of "The Color Code: A Revolutionary Eating Plan for Optimum Health." "There is more data on purple than any other color right now."The most concentrated natural sources of anthocyanins are blue and red fruits, including

blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, cherries, Concord grapes and lesser known berries such as chokeberries, elderberries and bilberries.Studies with these deeply hued fruits have shown promising health benefits, but scientists are investigating ways to boost the level of anthocyanins in commonly eaten foods to offer even greater health-promoting potential. Among the findings:-Researchers in Great Britain used genes from snapdragons to generate higher production of anthocyanins in tomatoes, which resulted in intensely purple tomatoes with anthocyanins levels comparable to blackberries and blueberries. The life span of cancer-susceptible mice was significantly extended when the diet included the purple tomatoes compared with the normal red tomatoes.-Anthocyanins from purple corn were the most potent in inhibiting the growth of colon cancer cells compared to the other vegetables

and fruits evaluated by Ohio State University researchers.-Rats who ate black raspberries - which are particularly rich in anthocyanins - were 50 percent less prone to developing cancerous tumors in the esophagus. The study, also conducted at Ohio State University, found that the berries helped fight cancer by reducing inflammation, suppressing growth of cancer cells and triggering cancer cell death.Despite the hot trend and health-promoting potential of the color purple, an analysis by the Produce for Better Health Foundation found that only 3 percent of the fruits and vegetables consumed in the U.S. are from the purple or blue category.With the growing interest in

anthocyanins, you'll begin to see pills and products fortified with fruit extracts, but ph recommended sticking with the real thing."You're better off with the whole fruit or vegetable."---GET YOUR PURPLE ONYou may not find the trendy purple-hued vegetables where you shop, but they are increasingly available during the summer at farmers markets, in seed catalogs and via online distributors of specialty produce. More commonly available purple vegetables include purple cabbage and purple kale. Even purple onions contain anthocyanins. You'll find the protective purple compounds in eggplant, but only if you eat the peel. Here are more ways to add purple to your plate:-Sprinkle blueberries or blackberries on your morning cereal or oatmeal.-Make coleslaw with shredded purple cabbage and purple

carrots.-Use purple potatoes in potato salad or include in a mixture of baby potatoes and roast with a drizzle of olive oil.-Slice purple grapes and add to chicken salad or a tossed green salad.-Add purple carrots and purple kale to a stir-fry.-Toss a plum in your bag for an afternoon snack.-Drink a glass of grape juice at breakfast.-Make a chunky salsa with purple corn and purple onions.-Add a side of steamed purple asparagus, beans or cauliflower at dinner.-Eat a bowl of mixed berries for dessert.---PURPLE KALE AND WHITE BEAN SOUPPrep: 20

minutesStand: OvernightCook: 2 hours, 30 minutesMakes: 8-10 servingsThis recipe is adapted from a bread soup with beans and kale from "Outstanding in the Field: A Farm to Table Cookbook," by Jim Denevan. We've omitted the bread to cut down on the calories. If using canned beans, wait until the final step to add them.1 cup dried cannellini or other beans, or 1 can (14.2 ounces), drained, rinsed1 1/2 teaspoons coarse saltFreshly ground pepper3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for serving2 onions, halved, thinly sliced3 ribs celery, finely chopped2 carrots, finely chopped1 dried red chili, chopped or 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

flakes1 sprig fresh rosemary1 tablespoon tomato paste8 ounces purple kale, stems and ribs discarded, leaves chopped into 1-inch pieces2 quarts chicken stock or low-sodium brothFreshly grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese1. Pick over dried beans, discarding any stones; rinse. Place beans in a stockpot; cover with cold water by 2 inches. Let stand overnight; drain and rinse.2. Place beans in a large stockpot; cover with cold water. Heat to a boil over high heat, skimming off any foam as it rises. Reduce the heat; simmer until beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Stir in 1 teaspoon of the salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to cool.3. Meanwhile, heat the 3 tablespoons oil in a Dutch oven over low heat; add the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally,

until the onions are soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, chili and rosemary; season with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, about 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste; stir to coat the vegetables. Cook until the tomato paste begins to caramelize, about 3 minutes.4. Add kale and remaining 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and pepper to taste. Cook until kale has wilted a bit, 3 minutes. Add enough of the chicken stock to cover. Heat to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer; cook until kale is tender, 15-20 minutes. Strain the beans; add them to the Dutch oven along with remaining stock (if using canned beans, add them now). Simmer 5-10 minutes. Remove rosemary sprig; discard. Serve with grated cheese and a drizzle of olive

oil.Nutrition informationPer serving: 145 calories, 32 percent of calories from fat, 5 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 18 g carbohydrates, 8 g protein, 395 mg sodium, 5 g fiber

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