Cheers to a Delicata-licious Thanksgiving!

Don’tcha wish your salad looked this delicata-licous? Cue Jay-Z because I’m officially onto the next one – the next gourd that is. If you haven’t discovered delicata squash yet, Imma ’bout to drop some knowledge on ya because this gourd is the ish! Not only am I serving up how to make the quintessential fall salad, but also the most delectable maple tahini dressing that you’ll be drizzling on all the things! Bonus: a few tips for a healthy Thanksgiving before, during and after the big feasting. Because it doesn’t have to be all downhill from here. Read on for the dEATs!

After the candy-palooza that is Halloween it can be pretty darn tempting to just throw in the towel for the rest of the year. Amiright? But you can have your Thanksgiving feast…and eat it too, without calling 2019 a lost cause. I’ve certainly fallen victim to a mountainous plate at Thanksgiving, and the mountain of guilt that ensues after, but I’ve also learned a healthy habit or two over the years. And I’m here to drop summa dat wisdom on ya. Here goes my non-exhaustive, but hopefully helpful tips for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

How to Thanksgiving Like a (Health) Pro:

1.) Makes Moves…Your Body Move, That Is: For the first time, I’m signing up for a 5-mile Turkey Trot this Thanksgiving! I’ve always wanted to in the past, but generally have been traveling. While I’ll miss the fam this year, I’m swapping time in the car for time on my feet! While a Turkey Trot may not be for everyone, I also make an effort to take a long, brisk fall walk after the main feast. This can keep the metabolism revved up and help you step away from the table before grabbing seconds.

2.) The Old Adage Is True, An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away: I know PLENTY of people who will skip breakfast or eating altogether before the big feast .This can spell…D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R for the waistline though. Breakfast is a jump start for the metabolism – it says to the body, “hey, you can rev up that engine because hibernation is over!”. We also tend to make poor choices when ravenous, so I always suggest an appropriate meal or snack before the big feast to enable good decision-making. An apple, is a perfect example of a light snack with plenty of fiber to keep the hunger at bay, while leaving plenty of room for that Thanksgiving spread.

3.) Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!: With all the food and adult beverages at the Thanksgiving table, we often forget one critical element – water! When we’re dehydrated, it can send mixed signals to the body that we’re hungry. I like to start my day with a mug of hot water with lemon to rehydrate in the morning. And at the Thanksgiving get-together, sipping water can keep our hands and minds busy before we go for another plate or another drink. We especially need to balance all of the sodium with extra water after the big meal, so don’t be self-conscious about bringing a reusable water bottle to the feast!

4.) Bigger Is Not Better: I may live in Texas now, but there are some exceptions to “bigger is better” and that includes a Thanksgiving plate. Rule of thumb: no double stacking and there must be some plate visible beneath those piles! Be choiceful about not only what you put on the plate, but how much. Based on multiple conversations with nutritionists, the ideal breakdown of a plate should be:

5.) Live A Little: Finally, it is Thanksgiving, so give yourself a little slack. Plan your indulgences and feel free to break a rule…just not all of them. For me, I ALWAYS allow myself 2 slices of pie every Thanksgiving, but I’ll either ask for smaller slices so I can try both pumpkin AND apple, or I won’t eat the crust (since that’s where you’ll find a majority of the calories).

So now that you’re a pro at navigating Thanksgiving, let’s get down with delicata! What I love about this squash is that the skin is edible, so no peeling! It’s quick to slice up and bake in the oven in less than 30 minutes. And while this salad may have a lot of components, baking the delicata is the only real work, especially if you buy a bag of pre-shredded brussels sprouts and dinosaur (Tuscan) kale. This makes it not only super easy for last-minute Thanksgiving prep, but also an incredibly easy salad to prep for weekday lunches. Wanna learn more about the delicious delicata? Check out this post I wrote last fall with more delightful recipes.

And now onto the recipe we’ve all been waiting for!

FALL DELICATA, KALE and POMEGRANATE SALAD
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:
– 1 delicata squash
– 1 bunch (or bag) of dinosaur (aka Tuscan) kale, ribs removed and loosely chopped
– 1 bag of shredded Brussels Sprouts
– 1 pomegranate, seeds removed
– 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
– 4-6 dates, pits removed and roughly chopped
– 1 C of marcona almonds
Maple Tahini Dressing
– 1/4 C tahini paste
– 2 T lemon juice
– 2 T maple syrup
– 1 T sesame oil
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 2 T water

Directions:
Step 1: Rinse the delicata squash and slice vertically into rounds, tossing the ends. Use a spoon to remove the interior seeds and pulp, then cut in half to create moon-shaped slices.
Step 2: Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees Farenheit. Drizzle olive oil on a large sheet pan and place the squash rounds in a single layer on the pan. Drizzle with additional olive oil using your finger to ensure the surface is fully coated to get a nice golden crisp and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place in the oven for 15 minutes.
Step 3: While the delicata roasts, make the dressing by adding all of the ingredients to a mason jar. Cover and shake to combine, adding more water if you prefer a more fluid dressing.
Step 4: Remove the delicata from the oven and allow to cool. In a large salad bowl, add the kale and massage with your fingers. Then add the shaved Brussels sprouts, pomegranate seeds, shaved fennel, chopped dates and marcona almonds, tossing together. Top with the sliced delicata and as much of the dressing as you like!

Have other tips for a healthy and happy Thanksgiving! Comment below and share the wealth!