At Tessemae’s we’re always looking for ways to increase the nutrients of our meals and fats, though often villainized, play a very important role. Now we’re not suggesting that you run out for a cheesesteak or a chocolate sprinkle doughnut; healthy fats are where it’s at. When deciding which healthy fat, we often choose nuts. At times, nuts get a bad rap because they are comparatively high in calories and fat, but we believe they are totally worth it. Why?

Nuts are nutritional powerhouses. They make our food more flavorful and satisfying. We love a salad as much as the next guy (probably more even, after all, salad dressings are sort of our thing), but even a delicious bowl of lettuce just won’t cut it sometimes without a little fatty bonus. Almonds and pecans are a few of our favorites because they taste great and provide us with a perfectly packaged nutrient punch. They’re full of wonderfully heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, and fiber. What more can you ask for?

Myriad health benefits stem from eating nuts. They play a big role in reducing heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. Nuts are also thought to help us maintain or lose weight by satiating us, helping us to feel full while keeping our appetites stable.

When Chef Kristen developed her “Balsamic Glazed Acorn Squash” recipe, which calls for sliced almonds, we were delighted and think you will be too. Join us as we enjoy this savory mix of seasonal acorn squash, combined with tangy cranberries, the ever-delicious Tessemae’s Balsamic Dressing, and some heart-healthy almonds to pack a little crunch. This Tessipe is sure to Tesse-please!

Note: We recommend opting for raw, unsalted nuts when possible.