FDIHB's OBGYN Department is partnering with Denee Bex, RD, CDCES, LD, CEO of Tumbleweed Nutrition to share recipes and education for new mothers/fathers. Navajo traditional foods is the spotlight of the project and folks can learn how to prepare nutritious meals made with Indigenous ingredients that have a modern twist. Content will primarily be shared on our Facebook and Instagram accounts, so be sure to follow along! 

Click here to watch the video for this yummy Roasted Pumpkin Puree with Ground Neeshjizhii.

Recipe for Roasted Pumpkin Puree with Ground Neeshjizhii

Ingredients:
1 mini pumpkin, about 5 lbs
1 tablespoon oil
2 cups water
½ cup ground neeshjizhii
1-2 tbsp breastmilk or formula milk (optional)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easier clean-up.
2. Cut the pumpkin in half, going from the stem to the opposite end. Remove the seeds with a spoon and discard. Rub the oil evenly over the flesh and skin. Place the cut side down on the baking sheet.
3. Roast the pumpkin for 45 - 60 mins or until fork-tender. Cooking time will depend on size of pumpkin. Remove from oven and let cool. Once it is cool, gently remove the skin and discard.
4. While the pumpkin is roasting, make the ground neeshjizhii mush by being 1 cup water to a boil in a small pot. Mix the other 1 cup with ½ cup of ground neeshjizhii in a separate bowl. Pour the ground neeshjizhii mixture into the boiling water. Whisk frequently untill thickened. Turn off heat.
5. To make the puree, place pumpkin in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. If you don’t have a blender, place it in a bowl and mash with a potato masher until smooth.
6. To make the baby food, combine 1 cup of mashed roasted pumpkin, prepared ground neeshjizhii mush and breast or formula milk in a mixing bowl. Mix well until smooth. Serve to baby or allow baby to serve self.
7. Can be stored in the fridge up to 3-5 days or frozen up to 6 months.

First foods are more than nourishment! They can be some of our baby's first connections to culture, family, and the land.

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