Sweet, Sweet Potato Fries.

As I draw back the curtains and look out my bay window, I see the great white abyss has engulfed everything exposed. My car, buried deep in its wrath. Perfect opportunity to stay in and relax, which for me is equivalent to cooking up a storm. Literally. Today’s menu consists of sweet potato fries! A simple classic. Whats even sweeter, is the fact that sweet potatoes are in season and under a dollar for a lb. (about three small/medium sweet potatoes). PERFECT.

I used this recipe, as a guide and made a couple alterations. Since I am cooking for one, one potato was satisfactory. I used sesame oil instead of olive oil, for a nice savory touch and used pepper, curry powder, and cumin seed for a dash of flavor. Caution: Be careful not to cut yourself! Sweet potatoes can be difficult to cut and take a little time, so remember to be patient.

WOO-BAM. These fries pack a healthy punch and if you devour an entire pan (as I usually do) know it was ONE sweet potato and full of good stuff. What good stuff you might ask. Well, they are a fantastic source of Vitamin A and good sources of Vitamin C and manganese. Feed yourself right and try this simple recipe, you will thank me.

Squash those fears!

I should be working on homework or applications that earnestly await me, yet I find myself in my kitchen wafting the delightful aroma of garlic and squash, baking in the oven. Delicata squash to be specific. The pressure I have been under the last several months has been pushing my boundaries and testing my patience. Logically, I want to work all day, everyday and achieve all the goals I have set for myself. It seems simple enough. Work twenty five hours a week at both of my on campus jobs , commit ten hours a week to my internship, volunteer at Wonderlab or Girls Inc. (once or twice a week), enjoy home-cooked meals, apply to internships, scholarships, and jobs for the near future and you know, achieve all A’s in each of my five classes. Now, individually, these things seem achievable. Combine them all and somehow mush them into your weekly schedule. Yeah…good luck with that.

The suffocating pressure of academic success, finances, and the fear of applying for internships and jobs, I left in my backpack. They have no place in the kitchen. I need to breath and take a minute to re-cooperate. So, I am doing just that. I am an absurdly busy woman. I am aware of this. It is more of a choice really, but I still value time spent on simple pleasures. It probably comes as no surprise to learn that cooking, is one of mine.

Today, I decided to bravely experiment cooking with squash. A couple weeks ago, I stumbled across this type of squash at the Farmers’ market and thought, “why not give it a try?”. I chose a simple recipe, involving a few, quick and easy steps. Peel, cut lengthwise and remove seeds, and toss some olive oil, garlic, and any type of herb that sounds appealing before placing the squash in the oven to bake.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. Sweet? Salty? Bitter? To my surprise, delicata squash has a pleasant sweetness to it, with a hint of savory. After a little research, I learned that delicata is a sweeter squash than other types of winter squash and a good source of dietary fiber and potassium.

I have a hunger for not just quality food, but for success. I crave opportunity and expanding my knowledge of public health and how I can apply myself to this field. I desire to challenge myself and indulge in my passion to help those in need, especially when it applies to food insecurity or those lacking basic nutrition comprehension. There are so many things I wish to accomplish, but find my insatiable appetite to be a challenge of sorts. I get wrapped up in working so hard and fearing it is not enough, that I forget to stop and indulge in the mere wonders of cooking. Luckily, this delicata squash baking in the oven is a great reminder.