This time of year, many people think of pumpkin pie, dressing, and green bean stew as healthy harvest recipes. Even though those foods taste great, they aren’t always the healthiest choices. Having them in small amounts and making these heart-healthy foods will help you get in the holiday mood!
1. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are great for your heart because they are full of magnesium and protein. Pumpkin seeds can be roasted and eaten as a tasty, crunchy snack. This healthy harvest recipe from Simply Recipes will work great.
Ingredients
- One medium pumpkin
- Salt
- Extra virgin olive oil
Method
- In order to open the pumpkin, use a sharp knife to cut a circle around the stem end and then pull off the top.
- Scrape the inside of the pumpkin with a strong metal spoon to get the seeds and strings out.
- Run the bowl of pumpkin seeds under water to clean it and separate the seeds from the rest of the pumpkin seeds.
- Use a cup to measure the pumpkin seeds. Spoon the seeds into a small pot. For every half cup of pumpkin seeds, add 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of salt to the pan.
- Bring the pumpkin seeds and salty water to a boil. For 10 minutes, let it cook. Take it off the heat and let it drain.
- Warm the oven up to 400°F. Spread about a teaspoon of olive oil on the bottom of a roasting pan or a thick baking sheet.
- Spread the seeds out in a single layer on the roasting pan. Toss them around a few times to coat them with the oil on the pan.
- Bake on the top rack for 5 to 20 minutes or until the seeds start to turn brown. This will depend on how big the seeds are. It might take about 5 minutes for small pumpkin seeds to toast, but it could take up to 20 minutes for big pumpkin seeds.
- Just watch out that the pumpkin seeds don’t get too toasty. After the pan gets a little brown, take it out of the oven and set it on a rack to cool. Before you eat the pumpkin seeds, let them cool all the way down.
- You can either crack it to get the seed inside out or eat it whole.
2. Butternut Squash Chili
Many people eat chilli all the time when it’s cold outside. Adding squash to this healthier chilli makes it filling and a good choice for fall. Vitamin C is found in large amounts in squash. This vitamin is good for your eyes and can even help fight cataracts. In this healthy harvest recipes from the Washington Post, there is squash and a bunch of other superfoods that are good for you.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large white or yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced or finely grated
- 3 cups cooked or canned no-salt-added navy, Great Northern or cannellini beans (from 2 15-ounce cans), drained and rinsed
- 1 small zucchini (8 ounces), trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 2 (4-ounce) cans of mild green chiles with their liquid
- 2 tablespoons chopped chipotles in adobo with their sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chilli powder
- 3/4 teaspoon fine table salt, plus more to taste
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 2/3 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus more to taste
Method
- Heat the oil in a big pot over medium-low heat until it shimmers. After you add the onion, stir it around a few times and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until it’s soft and clear. When you add the garlic, stir it in and cook for about one minute until it smells great.
- The beans, zucchini, squash, green chiles, chipotles in adobo, cumin, chilli powder and salt should all be mixed in. Then, the broth and rice should be added. Turn up the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Then lower the heat and keep it boiling for about 20 minutes or until the squash is soft enough to pierce with a fork.
- Take off the lid and stir the chilli now and then for about 5 minutes or until it gets thicker. Mix in the lime juice. If you think it needs more salt or lime juice, taste it and add it. Warm up and serve.
What Is The Healthiest Meal You Can Make?
A meal that is good for you usually has a mix of healthy fats, whole grains, lean meats, and different kinds of colourful veggies. One healthy and well-balanced meal is grilled salmon, rice, and a mixed veggies salad with olive oil sauce.
What Is The Meaning Of A Healthy Harvest?
A healthy harvest recipes is a good collection of crops or other foods that are grown in a way that doesn’t harm the environment, doesn’t use dangerous chemicals, and is high in nutrients. It usually means good farming methods and taking care of the earth.
Read Also: The Best Vegan Chocolate Desserts For Every Holiday And Celebration
Who Is Half-baked Harvest?
Half-Baked Harvest is a well-known food blog and brand that Tieghan Gerard made. People love her creative, easy-to-follow meals that combine comfort food with better for you ingredients. She has also written and released a number of popular recipes.
What To Serve At A Harvest Feast?
Seasonal foods like roasted root veggies, hearty soups, fresh salads, bread, roasted meats, and fruit-based sweets can be served at a harvest feast. A lot of the time, squash, apples, grapes, and pumpkins are used.
What Are 10 Healthy Meals?
- Grilled chicken with steamed broccoli and sweet potatoes
- Lentil and vegetable stew
- Quinoa salad with avocado, chickpeas, and spinach
- Baked salmon with asparagus and brown rice
- Stir-fried tofu with mixed vegetables and soba noodles
- Greek yoghurt with granola and fresh berries
- Turkey and avocado wrap with a side of carrot sticks
- Zucchini noodles with marinara sauce and turkey meatballs
- Black bean and vegetable chilli
- Grilled shrimp with a citrus and spinach salad
What Is The #1 Healthiest Food In The World?
There isn’t a single “healthiest” food, but many experts agree that leafy greens like kale, spinach, and others are among the best. These are full of enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that are good for your health in general.