Recipe courtesy of Kenya Parham and Tonya Hopkins

First Fruits Harvest Smoothie Bowl

Name: First Fruits Harvest Smoothie Bowl
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H15M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H20M0.000S
Yield: 2 green smoothie bowls
Ingredients: First Fruits Harvest Smoothie, recipe follows; 1/2 cup granola (see Cook's Note); Black chia seeds, black sesame seeds, blackberries and/or dark chocolate chunks (at least 70%), for topping; Pomegranate arils, strawberries or raspberries, for topping; Green kiwi slices or mint, for garnish; 1 cup coconut milk (not low fat) or 100% pear nectar (no sugar added); 1 cup diced or sliced cucumber; 1 cup chopped banana, frozen; 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen pineapple (canned chunks are okay; no sugar added); 2 teaspoons spirulina powder (see Cook's Note); 2 Medjool date, pitted; 6 ice cubes (if using frozen pineapple, you don't need to add the ice)

1 Review

Level: Easy
Yield: 2 green smoothie bowls

Total: 20 min
Active: 15 min

The first fruits harvest smoothie is a great way to start any sequence of holiday days to feel good and energized! This fab festive green refresher has two non-dairy base options: pear nectar or coconut milk blended with fresh and frozen fruits along with high-water-ratio green veg from both land and lake. Cucumber (genetically related to watermelons, which are originally from Africa) and the Central African algae superfood, spirulina, are two of the green stars of this satisfying smoothie. Banana and pineapple add plenty of sweetness. This shake-like refresher appeals to my sister’s vegan sensibilities and to my interest in historically informed ingredients that originate from and/or are relevant to the African continent and the big, beautiful Black Diaspora that Kwanzaa was created to celebrate.  The first fruits harvest smoothie can also be served as a reinterpretation/reclamation of the acai bowls popular today (my sister LOVES them)--complete with a red/'black'/green topper of red berries/the darkest chocolate/kiwi and granola of your choice--or one made from African super grains like millet, fonio or sorghum. 

Ingredients

First Fruits Harvest Smoothie, recipe follows

1/2 cup granola (see Cook's Note)

Black chia seeds, black sesame seeds, blackberries and/or dark chocolate chunks (at least 70%), for topping

Pomegranate arils, strawberries or raspberries, for topping

Green kiwi slices or mint, for garnish

First Fruits Harvest Smoothie:

1 cup coconut milk (not low fat) or 100% pear nectar (no sugar added) 

1 cup diced or sliced cucumber

1 cup chopped banana, frozen

1 cup chopped fresh or frozen pineapple (canned chunks are okay; no sugar added)

2 teaspoons spirulina powder (see Cook's Note) 

2 Medjool date, pitted 

6 ice cubes (if using frozen pineapple, you don't need to add the ice)

Directions

WATCH

Watch how to make this recipe.

Divide the First Fruits Harvest Smoothie between 2 shallow bowls and smooth the tops so they are flat. Use your creativity to garnish the top of the bowls with the granola, black chia and sesame seeds, blackberries, dark chocolate chunks, pomegranate arils, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi slices and/or mint. Eat right away.

First Fruits Harvest Smoothie:

Add the coconut milk, cucumber, banana, pineapple, spirulina powder, date and ice cubes to a blender and purée until smooth.

Cook’s Note

You can use your favorite granola or make your own homemade granola using African super grains like fonio, millet or sorghum with pecans, honey, etc. Or you can purchase the granola flavor of your choice from a black-owned granola company like Oh-Mazing Food.  Feel free to add an extra teaspoon of spirulina for a more natural vibrant green color (and added nutrition).

Watch how to make this recipe.

First Fruits Harvest Smoothie Bowl

1 Review

Ingredients

First Fruits Harvest Smoothie:

Directions

First Fruits Harvest Smoothie:

Cook’s Note

Categories:

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