Sloppy joes packed with veggies

This week’s recipe features lean ground beef and fresh peppers and onions, all available at the Linton Farmers’ Market this Saturday. You’d never know after eating this mouth-watering, kid-friendly sandwich that Sloppy Joes originated during financially tough war times in the 1940s as a way of stretching precious and expensive beef. Bell peppers and onion add color, texture and nutrition in this adaptation of the classic dish.

Beef is a good source of iron, and the vitamin C in the peppers (and tomato products) enhances absorption of the iron. Iron from food is needed to produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a substance in red blood cells that make it possible for them to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. If you don’t have enough you may feel weak, tired, and irritable. Vitamin C is essential for the growth and repair of tissue all over the body, as it helps to heal wounds and repair/maintain healthy bones, teeth, skin and cartilage. As an antioxidant, vitamin C fights free radicals in the body which may help prevent or delay certain cancers and heart disease and promote healthy aging.

Veggie-Loaded Sloppy Joes

Vegetable oil cooking spray

1 pound extra-lean ground beef

1 small green bell pepper, diced

1 small red bell pepper, diced

1 small onion, diced

1 T. white vinegar

¾ cup ketchup

2 T. prepared mustard

6 whole-grain sandwich buns

1 sweet onion, sliced (optional)

Spray a medium skillet with the cooking spray. Combine the ground beef, diced peppers and onion in the skillet. Cook on medium heat until the beef is thoroughly cooked, 8 to 10 minutes.

Mix the vinegar, ketchup and mustard together, and add to the beef mixture; simmer 10 to 15 minutes. Scoop one portion onto each sandwich bun and top with a slice of the sweet onion (optional).

This recipe serves 6 and is only 270 calories for an entrée. The sandwich also boasts 21 grams protein.

This weekly column is a collaboration between Linton Farmers Market coordinators and Greene County General Hospital. GCGH Clinical Dietitian/Clinical Health Coach Lisa Berns authored the column. Contact Market Manager Mark Stacy at starkmacy@gmail.com or visit lintonfarmersmarket.com for more information.