It is that time of year. I feel like I am seeing orange with all the pumpkins, squash and sweet potatoes I am eating. So good! The trademark color is due to its extremely high beta-carotene content, a powerful anti-oxidant that our bodies can convert into Vitamin A and helps protect our eyesight. Several folks have been sharing some great recipes so thought I would pass along the love…
From my pal Barry Druschel:
Southern Harvest Sweet Potatoes
2 large sweet potatoes
1 green apple
1 small sweet orange or clementine
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup maple syrup or dark agave nectar
1 cup almond milk
1 tsp cinnamon
In a large stock pot boil enough water to submerge 2 large sweet potatoes, cleaned, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes. Cook until medium soft & drain and set aside potatoes.
In the still warm stock pot, lightly brown 1 green apple diced, in 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp brown sugar & 1/4 cup maple syrup or dark agave nectar.
Grate in 1 tsp of fresh orange peel (zest).
Add cooked potatoes and mash. Stir in 1 cup of almond milk and 1 tsp of cinnamon.
Add 6-8 orange slices and stir, remove from heat.
Cover and let the flavors mingle for 10 minutes before serving.
From health writer Holly St. Lifer:
Fall Smoothie
Half a cup of fat free plain yogurt, half a cup of pumpkin puree, a splash of oj and 5 strawberries—blend and enjoy!
From fellow nutrition fan Melissa Wheeler:
Pumpkin Pancakes
2 cups dry pancake mix (any brand/type will work)
3 Tbsp dark-brown sugar
2½ tsp pumpkin-pie spice
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 Tbsp vegetable oil, plus more for the griddle
In one large bowl, combine the pancake mix, pumpkin pie spice, and brown sugar. In another large bowl, combine the canned pumpkin, milk, egg, vanilla, and oil. Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
On a lightly oiled griddle or pan, pour about ¼ cup of the batter for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form in the batter, then flip and cook until the other side is lightly brown. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup.