VEGAN PECAN
There is nothing like the taste of freshly grown food, better than freshly baked bread -- well at least definitely nothing better for you. One of the benefits of living in Puerto Rico was the access to freshly grown produce. My main supplier was actually my grand aunt and uncle. Titi Fanita & Norman have a beautiful tropical farm just minutes from my Mama Maria's house. This is where the bananas I use for my pasteles were grown and where a majority of these pictures were taken. I am slowly but surely becoming a real life campesina (country girl).
. Practically every part of the papaya plant can be used, for either nutritional or medicinal means. Even the papaya seeds, often overlooked and discarded, have recently been linked to curing sickle cell diseases. The papaya pulp, while delicious to eat, is also being used in some parts of the world as a dressing for burns and wounds. Papayas are very low in calories, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium but are a good source of fiber, potassium,vitamin A, vitamin C and folate.
. Star fruit is low in calories yet high in fiber and vitamin C. It is also a good source of natural antioxidants and may be consumed raw, juiced, cooked or candied. If you suffer from kidney issues please beware that this fruit contains a neurotoxin that those who suffer from kidney disease are unable to filter. It is said that star fruit is also used, in some parts of the world, as a diuretic and as a cough suppressant.
. Boil it, sauté it, blend it. Sweet or savory, squash is versatile and delicious. Not only is it tasty, but squash is also rich in vitamin A, and a good source of vitamin B1 & B2, niacin, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and magnesium. It's also a low calorie and fairly low carb starch.
. Practically every part of the papaya plant can be used, for either nutritional or medicinal means. Even the papaya seeds, often overlooked and discarded, have recently been linked to curing sickle cell diseases. The papaya pulp, while delicious to eat, is also being used in some parts of the world as a dressing for burns and wounds. Papayas are very low in calories, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium but are a good source of fiber, potassium,vitamin A, vitamin C and folate.
FOODS
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