Recipe for Fall - Sweet Potato Casserole/Pie

The arrival of fall brings cooler weather, colorful leaves, and lots of delicious root vegetables and hearty greens.  Fall is a traditional time of harvest and abundance, celebrating what has been created throughout the growing season.  It is frequently represented by the color orange, which appears in the harvest moon, changing leaves, and beautiful fall sunsets. 

When I think of the season of fall, I have visions of vibrantly colored leaves.  I think of how warm days brighten my spirit and cool nights bring me peaceful sleep as I am nestled in cozy blankets.  For me, fall brings thoughts of change and the cycle of life.  What does this season mean to you?  What are your personal associations?

Considering these questions, please enjoy the following recipe that incorporates some of fall's most famous foods - sweet potatoes and pecans - as well as fall's most common colors - orange and brown. 

Recipe for Fall - Sweet Potato Casserole/Pie

For the filling:
Combine the following ingredients in a Vita-Mix or high powered blender, blending until smooth:

• 3 medium sweet potatoes (peeled and chopped into 2 inch cubes)
• 1 avocado
• 6 medjool dates, soaked (reserve water for blending)
• 2 TB raw honey OR maple syrup (preferably grade B)
• pinch of salt 
• a few tablespoons of water from the soaked dates to blend

Note: I usually blend the dates, honey, salt avocado, and about 1/3 of the sweet potatoes with a little water first.  Then I blend the next 1/3 of the potatoes until smooth, and finally the last 1/3.

For the crust:

In a food processor, combine until a crumbly, flour-like consistency is reached:

• 7-8 medjool dates
• an inch or so of vanilla bean (optional)
• 1 1/2 cup brazil nuts
• 1 1/2 cup pecans
• pinch of salt

N.B. In some smaller food processors, it is best to blend the nuts first then slowly add in the dates.

Assembly:
For a casserole: Sprinkle a layer of crust on the bottom of the container (about half), then pour the sweet potato filling, then top off with another thin layer of crust.
For a pie: Press all of the crust into a pie pan then pour in the filling.  Garnish the top with pecans.

I love that the prominent color of this recipe is orange.  Orange is the color of the second chakra, which is the seat of our creative energy.  In this season characterized by so much orange, perhaps let it remind you to tap into your creativity.  

The season of fall brings dry air which can drain our bodies and skin of essential moisture.  Eating sweet potatoes is a great way to lubricate the body.

Enjoy this hearty recipe as a side dish or dessert.  Let it warm you from the inside.  Revel in the season of fall.  Embrace changes creatively.