Boost your immunity with this autumn pumpkin smoothie
Cool days and a drop in energy during fall call for appropriate measures in the kitchen. Well-chosen recipes and immunity-boosting ingredients can help maintain your health throughout the winter. One option is an autumn yellow smoothie made with plant-based milk.
6:59 PM EDT, October 3, 2024
In addition to kefir, a typical fall ingredient, pumpkin is very useful. It does not require thermal processing. Butternut squash combined with sweet fruits is a vitamin-packed delight.
Why is it worth eating pumpkin?
Pumpkin is more than just a fall decoration—it's a true natural treasure, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It contains vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, which is essential for eye and skin health. Vitamins C and E, present in pumpkin, act as powerful antioxidants, supporting the body's immunity and protecting cells from damage. Pumpkin also provides minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and iron, which are important for the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system and maintaining electrolyte balance. Thanks to this, pumpkin is tasty and an extremely valuable ingredient worth including in your daily diet.
Raw pumpkin - how to eat it
Pumpkin is often consumed cooked, baked, or pickled. However, few know that it can also be eaten raw. Eating raw pumpkin offers many health benefits but requires proper preparation and an understanding of which varieties are best for this. It's important to choose edible pumpkins, such as the Hokkaido pumpkin, which has delicate flesh and does not require cooking. Butternut squash is also suitable, but it should be thoroughly peeled.
Recipe for butternut squash smoothie
A creamy, yellow, and tasty smoothie can be served for breakfast or an afternoon snack. The given proportions make one serving; you can use more ingredients to make 2-3 servings of the smoothie.
Ingredients:
- 3.5 oz butternut squash
- 5.3 oz fresh pineapple
- 1 large banana
- 0.8 cup milk
- Optionally, to taste: turmeric or cinnamon
- Optionally, for sweetening: honey or maple syrup
Preparation:
- Peel the squash, remove the seeds, and cut it into smaller pieces. Use the remaining parts for a creamy soup with pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and apples.
- Peel the pineapple and cut it into pieces. The remaining fresh pineapple works well in a recipe for ribs with pineapple in a sweet sauce.
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
