Announcing The $1,000 Holiday Food Blogger Challenge Winners!

December 27, 2021

Earlier this season, Foraged & Found reached out to the culinary blogger community to compete in our first annual “Foraged & Found Blogger Recipe Challenge.” We were looking for inspirational recipes that could “WOW” us, and let me tell you, the many super talented food bloggers who entered, did not disappoint!

The rules for the blogger recipe were simple:

1. Show culinary creativity using Foraged & Founds' nutritious Sea Asparagus Pesto.

2. Categories for the challenge included appetizers and entrées.

3. One winner would be selected from each category to be awarded $500. The two winning recipes from each category would then compete for the $1,000 grand prize!

All entries were judged on taste, visual appeal, and creativity. Click here for full challenge rules and criteria.

THE WINNING RECIPES

The Main Dish Winner:
Spaghetti Squash with Sea Asparagus Pesto and Garbanzo Beans submitted by Merry Graham from A Merry Recipe food blog.

spaghetti-squash-sea-asparagus-recipe

The Appetizer Dish Winner:
Cheesy Green Machine Pesto Braid submitted by Pamela Gelsomini from Dish Off the Block food blog.

and the $1,000 GRAND PRIZE WINNER IS....

Merry Graham from A Merry Recipe food blog for her hearty and health conscious, vegetarian, Spaghetti Squash with Sea Asparagus Pesto and Garbanzo Beans recipe!

SEA ASPARAGUS PESTO & GARBANZO BEAN SPAGHETTI SQUASH

INGREDIENTS

1 large spaghetti squash
1 (4 oz) jar Foraged & Found Sea Asparagus Pesto
3 tablespoons preferred olive oil Note: garlic or basil olive oil is nice, divided
1 bunch of kale, veins removed, shredded
15 ounces drained garbanzo beans Note: Look for steamed garbanzo beans in the produce aisle
2 green onions, chopped
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon granulated garlic or 1/2 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
10 slices of 1/4-inch thick fresh mozzarella cheese or preferred fresh cheese
10 cherry tomatoes, leave whole
Grated Parmesan

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1 Wash the outside of the spaghetti squash and pat dry. Prick squash in a few places with a knife or fork. Par-cook the squash, in the microwave, on HIGH, for 5 minutes.

Step 2 Remove par-cooked squash from the microwave using oven mitts or dish towel. Place the squash on a cutting board. Use a chef knife to cut the squash lengthwise into two equal halves.

Step 3 Scrap the squash seeds out with a grapefruit spoon or large “spork”.

Step 4 Season the squash with salt and pepper. Flip the cut squash downward and place in a large microwave safe bowl. Fill the bowl with 1 inch of water, and over tightly with plastic wrap.

Step 5 Microwave the squash for 5 minutes then check doneness with a fork. Continue to microwave at 2 minute increments until spaghetti squash is tender but not too soft.

Step 6 Remove spaghetti squash from the microwave. Transfer squash to a cutting board. Pour and discard water from the bowl, and reserve the bowl for the squash strands.

Step 7 Use a fork to scrape most of the squash strands into the reserved bowl. Lightly toss spaghetti squash with 1/2 jar of Foraged & Found Sea Asparagus Pesto and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Set aside.

Step 8 In a large skillet, bring 1/4 cup water to a boil. Stir kale into boiling water and close the lid to steam. Steam for 1-2 minutes or until wilted. Drain water and transfer wilted kale to a cutting board, toss with 1 tablespoon Sea Asparagus Pesto. Set aside.

Step 9 Over medium high heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add garbanzo beans, onion, paprika, garlic, and sea salt. Sauté seasoned garbanzos for 1 minute. Stir in 2 tablespoons Sea Asparagus Pesto, and sauté 1 more minute. Set aside.

Step 10 Fill the squash bowls halfway with spaghetti squash, half of the cheese, tomatoes, pesto kale, and pesto garbanzo beans. Top with remaining spaghetti squash, cheese, tomatoes, kale, and garbanzo beans.

Step 11 Place both halves of squash on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted. Serve with Parmesan Cheese.

For the full recipe and a printable version, head on over to A Merry Recipe.

To purchase our Sea Asparagus Pesto and start making amazing recipes like this one, shop our Wild-Alaskan Gourmet Products.

sea-asparagus-pesto

Click here to see more delicious recipes!

Full List of Entrants

Entrée Category: