I was trying to come up with a clever name for this smoothie that would sound less, I dunno, intimidating or strange. But in brainstorming kitchy smoothie names I came to the realization, that I want the world to know how amazing zucchini is in smoothies. It provides a creaminess that is so conducive to a smoothie and it also gives me that green that I like to start my day off with – from something other than the same ‘ol greens like kale or spinach. Plus, it’s a really great way to use some of those HUGE over grown zucchini that just get all strange to cook with. I scoop out the seeds if they are big and seedy and I just chop up a cup or so. skin included and throw it in.
We have soo many figs coming from our tree and so many beautiful large heirloom zucchini from the garden, that this Zucchini and Fig Smoothie has become a regular around here. This smoothie is creamy, a little spicy, sweet, filling and sooo totally addicting. You gotta trust me on this one guys, just put some zucchini in your next smoothie!
[print_this]Zucchini Fig Smoothie
Makes 1 large or 2 small servings
- 2 fresh figs, stems removed and halved*
- 1 frozen organic banana
- 1 cup zucchini, chopped*
- 1/2 cup organic raw unsalted cashews, soaked*
- 1/2 cup filtered water
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Honey or other sweetener, as needed*
- Pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt
- Handful of ice
Add all of the ingredients to your high speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Enjoy! [/print_this]
RECIPE NOTES:
• if you don’t have access to fresh figs, you could try making this with dried figs, possibly soaking them a bit before to soften them
• scoop out the seeds from the zucchini if they are the big seedy ones
• soak the cashews at least 2 hours for the nest nutritional benefits, or quick soak in boiling water for a few minutes just to soften
• you may not need any sweetener depending on how sweet the bananas and the figs are. Use your own judgement here
7 Responses
Hey Beth – I’m a lifestyle blogger from San Francisco and a friend just told me about your yoga class this Sunday! I absolutely love yoga and I’m so excited to take your class! I look forward to connecting this weekend. xo.
What a brilliant idea! Another use (besides zucchini bread) for those monsters in my garden. I’m absolutely trying this out!
Um, I’m soooo intrigued by this that I want to drive to your house, pick the fruit from your yard, and make it with you. Is that weird?
What a brilliant combination! I love my morning smoothies, usually berries, but there is no other fruit that excites me as much as a fig. As for the zucchini, I blend them in pancake batter so why not a smoothie! Thanks for the idea and change in my breakfast smoothie. Happy Nesting!
Wow this is actually perfect, amazing, I need it NOW!
Hello – this sounds like a delicious smoothie! So innovative. Do you think it’s all right to soak the cashews overnight? I would like to make it first thing in the morning instead of waiting 2 hours after I get up. Or would it be better to soak them 2 hours the night before, then take them out of the water until the morning?
Overnight is totally fine, I do that myself quite often. I just say 2 hours, as that is the minimum I would soak them to get the best benefits. You’d have to soak them quite a long time to “over soak” them and they would possibly just start sprouting or get super soft. Nothing of any harm. So go for it!