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.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 20 min |
| Active: | 15 min |
| 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Add the coconut milk, cucumber, banana, pineapple, spirulina powder, date and ice cubes to a blender and purée until smooth.
Reviews
I have made this many times now, exactly to the recipe (unless the kids want it sweeter, then we add more dates). It is filling, delicious, and refreshing!