In this surprisingly filling dish there is a tango of flavors – from sweet to savory. And not for nothing, the ingredients pack a 1-2-punch as cancer-fighting foods, rich in antioxidants.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” — Hippocrates

If you are new to a whole foods diet, or have friends that love to avoid veggies, this recipe is for you. The natural sweetness of pear, squash and sweet potatoes lends to the sugar-laden palate of American culture. Friends who have tried this recipe always comment on how interesting the dish is, especially with pear!

Ingredients:

• 2 Sweet Potatoes, peeled and sliced in 1/4″ rounds : cartenoids, powerful antioxidants
• 1/2 Butternut Squash, peeled and cubed : cartenoids, fiber, antioxidants, electrolytes
• 1 Pear, cubed : vitamin c, fiber, boron
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Olive Oil : oleuropein, mono and polyunsaturated fats
• 2 teaspoons Rosemary leaves : anti-carcinogenic, carnosic acid and carnosol
• 1 teaspoon crushed Garlic : ajoene, allicin, antioxidant
• Sprinkling of Himalayan Pink Salt : 84 natural minerals (table salt has one)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Combine all ingredients in large bowl, making sure olive oil coats each piece.
3. Spray two cookie sheets with coconut oil spray (or avocado or other high heat cooking spray).
4. Layout sweet potato medallions first, and then layer the rest around.
5. Bake for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and turn over sweet potato medallions. Bake for 10 – 15 minutes, checking every minute after 10.
6. Sweet Potatoes should be browned slightly and crispy on edges.

InJoy!

Optional : I had a half bottle of champagne from a friend’s visit leftover in the fridge. I took a large Shallot (shallots are the shit, yo!), diced it, and simmered it in the champagne for over an hour – waiting for the champagne to reduce all the way. I added it to the medley and found even more depth. Don’t go wasting your champagne, though!!!

Want to learn more about these ingredients? Check out how awesome the foods are by visiting these websites:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/9-reasons-to-love-sweet-potatoes.html

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/butternut-squash-health-benefits-4923.html

16 Health Benefits of Rosemary

8 Health Benefits of Pears

http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/amazing-benefits-of-olive-oil-that-you-never-knew/

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/himalayan-crystal-salt-benefits/

Benefits of Garlic – Mother Nature’s Wonderful Prescription for a Healthy Lifestyle