Saturday, October 8, 2011

Butternut Squash Fries and News on Antioxidant Supplements


Are you sick of butternut squash yet? I hope not because I still have about 5 left from our garden! It was Krista's idea, from Krista's Kravings, to make butternut squash fries. I thought it was brilliant. Fries get a really bad rap because, well, they're typically made with white potatoes, loaded with salt and then smothered with ketchup (aka: more salt, and some sugar). I personally don't think there is anything wrong with a white potato, and in fact they have some really great health benefits, but if you have the choice between a white potato and an orange potato (sweet potato) or a butternut squash, I say...choose the later two (just a tip, typically the more color, the more nutrients!).

Butternut Squash Fries

Ingredients

One butternut squash
~ 2 tsp. olive oil
Some cayenne
Some nutmeg
Some salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

2. Cut your butternut squash into fries of equal thickness (do this to your best ability)

3. Toss the fries into a plastic bag and pour the olive oil and as much or as little cayenne, nutmeg and salt as you'd like. SHAKE!

4. Spray a baking sheet with some cooking spray, then spread the fries evenly on the pan.

5. Bake for about 20 minutes, then check on the fries and move them around for even cooking (if needed).

6. Bake for another 20 minutes, until nice and crispy.

7. Enjoy!


If you have leftovers these freeze really well. Just put them in a freezer bag and then when you want them later, take them out and pop them in a toaster oven!

QUESTION: If you had to choose a "last meal", what would it be? I know this is totally random, but Nick and I were talking about it the other night, and I'm curious to hear yours! Nick and I both agreed on some really elaborate hot fudge sundaes (and then Nick also threw in a large pizza or cheeseburger, or both. Yikes)


And last but not least, here are the nutrition and health highlights from the week (I'm not sure why the font is all different sizes, this happens to my posts sometimes. BlogSpot apparently doesn't like me today);

Salt Industry Calls for Repeal of Sodium Guidelines
(I would expect nothing less from the salt industry, after the new guidelines pretty much said that more than half of all Americans should cut their sodium intake to 1500 mg, but are they mad because of greed or do they really not believe in the recommendations? I'm skeptical. That being said, I'm also skeptical that it's at all realistic to tell people to cut their sodium to 1500 mg.)


US Promotes Fruits and Vegetables While Subsidizing Animals That Become Meat
(This article made me angry. Did you know that farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts receive no regular direct subsidies for their products? Yet, our new guidelines say to make half of your plate fruits and vegetables. Ugh. But, like the end of the article stated, pricing of fruits and vegetables have more to do with whether they are actually being purchased.)

Radical Thinking On Antioxidants
(This article made me very happy. I've always thought many of the popular antioxidant products and supplements were a waste of money, and this article pretty much backs that up. The best source of antioxidants are fruits and veggies, period. In fact, did you know that you can get too many antioxidants, and they can act as pro-oxidants??)


QUESTION: What are your thoughts on taking antioxidants in the form of a supplement or in the form of all these "antioxidant-loaded" food products?

9 comments :

  1. last meal? I'll eat three steamed corns!!! yes, Id love to say some chocolate cake kind of indulging food, but actually what I crave the most is corn! :)
    I love squash fries, I need to make them if I don't get too lazy. they should invent some kind of machine that you can insert the entire squash and fries come out right away, you know?

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  2. These fries look delicious!! The few times I've tried peeling a butternut squash it has taken me FOREVER, so I usually just end up cutting in half, baking and scooping out. Yes, I'm lazy!

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  3. I don't get antioxidant supplements...why are you spending so much money on a fake pill when the real thing tastes SO good? Blueberries, Pomegranates, etc. They're all delicious and probably much better for you.

    Oh and my last meal...would be...hmm...so many yummy things and my head is whirling. Hm. Probably something carby...like Indian naan bread, Singaporean kway tiao, roasted chestnuts, durian, all washed down with champagne, coffee and lambic.

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  4. Eric and I talk about our last meal all the time- or at least we say if you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be haha. We were just talking about these egg rolls we both love with sweet and sour sauce. I also would need some bread, and maybe frozen yogurt or ice cream would be necessary.

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  5. Zach recently brought home garlic oil, and we've been using it in everything! :-) I'm sure it would be amazing in the corn chowder!!

    LOVE the idea of squash fries! YUM!! I'm also super impressed by how neatly and evenly shaped your fries are - major skills there! ;-)

    Ah, I've known my answer to the last meal question for quite some time... Black eyed peas and stewed tomatoes with cornbread, just like my grandmother used to make them. I get choked up just thinking of all the memories...

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  6. i ffeeeeeeel like you haha i just bought an entire package of pre cut butternut squash because i'm so lazy haha (but not like you because you're not obvi haha) but still i've been roasting up that shiznat like crazy and eating it and i LOVE. i roast it with chili powder and nooch and it's fabO. i wish i had them in my garden though so they were free haha

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  7. Yum! I make tons of sweet potato and carrot fries, but it looks like I'll have to try a new veg. Yesss!

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  8. Great fries! I've made sweet potato fries before, but never thought to use butternut squash. Yum! I'm too tired to think of my last supper right now, but there would be some potato dish involved, and a dessert with chocolate :-)

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  9. Those fries look awesome. Great idea. As for antioxidants, I always say food is the best choice, and if you save money by not buying tons of supplements you can afford so much more produce to get those nutrients from. I would much rather spend my money on food than on supplements.

    Funny you should ask about a last meal. I was joking about that the last night I was in the States. I wanted my last US dinner (for a while) to be extra yummy, and we were in San Fran, and it was my friends 30th bday dinner, so we went all out to a fancy seafood restaurant. I wanted a true meal that was representative of our location in San Fran. Sour dough bread and a fish and seafood feast was the perfect thing for this. Otherwise, I go with chocolate cake! (which I also had at that meal in San Fran).

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