This Orange Strawberry Squash Smoothie is a sweet and refreshing smoothie with an added serving of vegetables from the mild tasting, low-FODMAP yellow summer squash. 
It's the most wonderful timmeeeee of the yearrrrrr!!!! 1. I hope you sang that with me and 2. duh, I know it's not Christmas! Christmas is certainly up there (my fave holiday!), but I'm a big fan of Florida this time of year! It's not sweltering, I can check the mail without my sunglasses fogging up from the humidity, and there is some great local produce growing!
Fruit-wise, it's one of the best times of year here in Florida (basically spring produce season for the rest of the country). The winter Florida citrus season is in full swing, plus we're heading into prime Florida strawberry season. Coincidence that citrus and strawberries pair well together? I don't think so!
This Orange Strawberry Squash Smoothie pairs the best of both these Florida gems. You can use any type of orange that you prefer, but I used Cara Cara Oranges. These beauties have a dark pink interior and are sweeter and less acidic than typical oranges. They're also seedless, which is perfect for just peeling an orange and popping it in the blender for a smoothie.
Also in season in Florida during the winter and spring? Yellow "summer" squash. And I added it to this Orange Strawberry Squash Smoothie. WAIT - don't hit that little X in the corner of your screen yet. I know squash in a smoothie sounds super weird (I was majorly skeptical myself), but it really works!
I noticed zero taste change to the smoothie. Yellow summer squash is a mild vegetable in general, and I found any flavor to be masked by that of the orange and strawberry flavors. Since it's mild in color, too, you still get a pretty orange/ pink smoothie shade, instead of weird army green/ brown shades when you add a bunch of leafy greens. 😉 Another bonus? It's fairly easy on your digestive system.
Okay, before you think this is too weird, let me just tell you that this is a fantastic use of leftover squash! I know everyone says this, but I noticed zero taste change to the smoothie. Yellow summer squash is typically a little easier on the digestive system, too (it's low-FODMAP). I know cauliflower is a popular smoothie add-in right now, but as a cruciferous vegetable it can sometimes make some individuals a little bloated or gassy. By all means, you do you, but if you're looking for another veggie to try in a smoothie, give yellow squash a try!
One last note: for the liquid in the smoothie, totally do whatever type of liquid you prefer. Water is simple, any milk or milk substitute can add a creaminess and various other nutrients depending on the type of milk used (like protein, calcium, etc.), or you can even use a tea. I took the tea route one step further and used kombucha! Kombucha is a fizzy fermented tea drink (kind of has a vinegar-ish smell to it) that's generally good for gut health due to it's high probiotic content (although it's not low-FODMAP, if that's important to you). It played well with the sweet orange and strawberry flavors in this smoothie - even my one-year-old sucked it down!
Also, if you turn yours into a beautiful smoothie bowl creation, I want to see! Share a pic on the NTF facebook page or on Instagram, tagging me @nutritiontofit and using the hashtag #nutritiotofit that anyone can follow and see! Be well!
Orange Strawberry Squash Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 orange peeled
- 1 cup strawberries frozen
- 1 cup yellow summer squash frozen slices or cubes
- ½ cup water
- Optional: desired toppings if making a smoothie bowl; pictured here: sliced cara cara oranges, slided strawberries, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for 60 seconds, or until smooth and evenly combined.
- If you're making it into a smoothie bowl, top with whatever toppings you desire - have fun with it!
Notes
Nutrition
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