It’s pumpkin season and this is one of my favourite seasonal smoothies! It’s always good to eat fruit and vegetable when its in season, that way you know you are getting food that is fresh which has lots of lovely nutrients. At the moment the shops are full of lots of lovely butternut squash and pumpkins, and whilst they are great in warm dishes like stews and curries , many people don’t realise you can eat these raw. Try juicing them, or simply add a slice or two to a smoothie.
Both butternut squash and pumpkin are a great source of antioxidants which protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.Their bright orange colour comes from carotenoids — including beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and alpha-carotene, which your body converts into Vitamin A which helps in regulating cell growth, eye health, bone health, and immune function. Additionally, it’s vital for foetal growth and development, making it an important vitamin for mothers-to-be.
Whilst Vitamin C is an important nutrient for collagen synthesis, skin health, wound healing, and tissue repair its also needed for immune function, which makes this a great smoothie for this time of year. And by eating these raw you won’t lose any of these important nutrients.
The rich creamy sweetness of tiger nut milk is perfect with pumpkin, you can use ready made or homemade, either will work great. Adding a spoon of tiger nut powder or flour along with a teaspoon of coconut oil gives a pumpkin pie flavour to this smoothie. It also adds extra prebiotic fibre which will help boost your gut health and keep you feeling full for longer. I added one ripe fig which adds a lovely grainy sweetness. I also like to add a little maca powder, which is a great energy booster. This smoothie is deliciously thick and creamy, and brilliant for autumn.
Here is my simple recipe;
1 glass tiger nut milk
1 large slice of pumpkin
1/2 banana
a few cashew nuts
1 tablespoon tiger nut powder or flour
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
a splash of maple syrup
a little maca powder (optional)
one ripe fig (optional)
Simply blend and enjoy!
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