80--- Pepitas Shrimp Skewers

Pepitas are pumpkin seeds without the shell! You can roast and shell your own (maybe after a pumpkin carving?) or purchase them pre-roasted without shells (look in the bulk section of your grocery store). As with any seed or nut, they have lots of healthy fats and fiber! Pepitas are really popular in Mexican cooking, but can be used on salads, in soups, etc. This is actually a recipe for salad dressing, and it would be a good one!

Shrimp are a great protein source and are low in fat. They have a higher cholesterol content when compared to other low fat protein sources, but should not be avoided because of that! They have omega-3 fatty acids, which are heart healthy and can help decrease inflammation in the body.

Pepitas Shrimp Skewers

Serves 6

~50 shrimp, peeled, de-veined, tail-on

1 medium Anaheim chile, roasted, peeled and seeded (see below)

1/4 cup roasted pepitas

1 large garlic clove, pressed and minced

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup Canola oil

2 Tbsp cup red wine vinegar

3 tablespoons grated cotija cheese (or shredded Parmesan)

1 small bunch cilantro, stemmed

1 1/2 cups lowfat yogurt

Place Anaheim chile on a grill and cook until charred on all sides (rotate throughout cooking), ~ 10 minutes. Allow to cool. Peel off skin and cut off top of chile. Remove seeds with fingers and slice flesh.

Place all ingredients except cilantro, yogurt and shrimp in a blender or food processor. Blend about 10 seconds, then add cilantro little by little until blended smooth (reserve some cilantro for garnish if desired). Place yogurt in a medium stainless steel bowl and mix with a wire whip until smooth. Add the blended ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Add shrimp to mixture. Refrigerate at least 3 hours.

20 minutes prior to cooking, soak bamboo skewers in water (to prevent burning).

Preheat grill. Skewer 5-6 shrimp on each stick. Cook over medium heat until done (~10-15 minutes).

Nutrition Info per 2 Tbsp pepitas dressing/ marinade: 101 calories, 6 g fat, 3 g protein, 3 g carbohydrates

Nutrition Info per 8-9 shrimp: 55 calories, 1 g fat, 11.5 g protein, 0 g carbohydrate, 107mg cholesterol