These super healthy and veggie filled fudgesicles are the perfect treat, dessert or snack to help the kiddos and adults cool down and refuel during these hot summer days! Made with beets, butternut squash, zucchini, apple, pear, dates and cocoa, these fudgesicles are dairy-free, low in fat and have no added sugar, yet are filled with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Deliciously decadent and foodfully nutritious all in one!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Freeze Time: 3-4 hours
Yield: 12 small or 6 regular fudgesicles
INGREDIENTS
1 medium yellow beet
1 medium zucchini
1 medium butternut squash
1 apple
1 pear
1/2 small avocado
4 dates
2 tablespoons organic cocoa
2 tablespoons hemp hearts (optional - for an extra protein boost)
HOW TO MAKE THESE DELICIOUSLY HEALTHY FUDGESICLES
1. Cut all the vegetables and fruits (except for the avocado and dates) in same size pieces. You DO NOT want to remove the skins! The skin is where most of the nutrition of all fruits and vegetables is found, so avoid peeling them off as much as possible.
2. Bring one inch of water to a boil in a medium saucepan fitted with a steamer basket, then add the cut up fruits and vegetables, cover and steam until tender, about 10 minutes. Make sure to reserve the water for the next step.
3. Place all the steamed vegetables and fruits, as well as the rest of the ingredients in a high-power blender or food processor and blend until thoroughly combined and smooth. If the mixture seems to thick, add some of the reserved steaming water.
4. Taste and adjust the sweetness if necessary (cf Foodful Tip below), but honestly I made these for my 4 year old and she asks for them on repeat and I have never added any sweeteners to the recipe.
5. Pour into your popsicle molds, insert the sticks and place in the freezer for at least 3 to 4 hours before sinking your teeth in and indulging!
FOODFUL TIP
For an extra tropical flavor, you can replace the reserved cooking water with coconut milk.
You know I always love to give my recipes an extra nutrition boost, hence the addition of hemp hearts which are a great source of protein, healthy fats, iron and potassium, among other nutrients. You can also replace these with flax or chia seeds or skip them altogether.
For all my ladies out there looking for a way to add more collagen peptides to their diet, simply add a scoop of your favorite collagen peptides powder along with the rest of the ingredients in the blender or food processor.
If the mixture doesn't seem sweet enough for you, you can simply add more dates; start with 2 extra and taste again.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
I'd love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below or share a photo of it on Instagram. Tag @thefoodfullife on Instagram and hashtag it #foodfullife #foodfuleats #foodful
All text and images © The Foodful Life.