Healthy Loaded Sweet Potatoes

These Healthy Loaded Sweet Potatoes are full of flavor, vitamins and protein, and can be ready in 

less than 20 minutes! Perfect for a quick and nutritious weeknight meal!

Today is officially Fall, so now I can make all the pumpkin, apple, squash and sweet potato recipes that I want without feeling bad. You know, when it's still technically summer no one wants to hear you talking about pumpkin everything! But now it's legit so you better get ready. {Just kidding....sort of...} The recipe I'm sharing today is a new favorite in my house. A quick and easy meal that's full of vitamins, protein, and tons of delicious flavor. Plus, this recipe supports one of my favorite campaigns, and I can't wait to tell you all about it!

Most of you already know that I'm a partner and huge supporter of Produce for Kids, but one thing you may not know is how much I love Meijer. I shop there every week {let's be honest, I'm there several times a week} and they are very active in the community. Produce for Kids teamed up with Meijer to bring Jump with Jill, a rock & roll nutrition show, to local schools. From September 4 to October 1, shoppers can look for Produce for Kids healthy meal solutions, recipes and tips in the produce department of all Meijer stores. Supporting the brands featured in the recipes helps raise funds to support the Jump with Jill initiative. I have a listing of those brands at the bottom of this post!

Since 2013, Produce for Kids has donated close to $380, 000 to Jump with Jill. More than 75 schools in the Meijer footprint have been supported through the campaign since fall 2014.  During the campaign, residents of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, who are at least 18 years old or the parents or guardians on behalf of minors, can post pictures of their family shopping, preparing, or cooking a meal with the hashtag #FamilyFoodRockstar for a chance to win a $100 Meijer gift card! Also be sure to follow along with the #produceforkids hashtag during the campaign for recipes tips and more info. 

I already purchase many products from the brands sponsoring this campaign, but I admit that I have Earthbound Farm products in my frig almost all the time. Whether it's a variety of lettuces, spinach, or this baby kale, I love their offerings. My recipe today features the Organic Mixed Baby Kale, which is perfect eaten as is in a salad or sauteed. 

These Healthy Loaded Sweet Potatoes are topped with sauteed baby kale, dried cranberries, pecans, and a touch of feta cheese. They are full of flavor, hearty, and most importantly, healthy! Plus, they are ready to eat in about 15 minutes. How's that for a quick dinner?!

Now that I just have one son at home I'm mostly cooking for two these days, so this recipe serves 2. It's super easy to feed 4, just use the entire container of Organic Mixed Baby Kale and double the remaining ingredients.

Healthy Loaded Sweet Potatoes
Author: Sarah Bates | The Chef Next Door
Serves 2
Print this recipe

Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes 
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, grated
1/2 container Earthbound Farm® Organic Mixed Baby Kale
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup dried cranberries 
2 Tablespoons feta cheese

Wash and dry the sweet potatoes. Prick the potatoes several times on all sides with a fork. Set them on a microwave safe plate and microwave for 8 minutes on high, or until soft. Times may vary depending on the size of your microwave. If needed, microwave and additional 1 to 2 minutes.

While the sweet potatoes are cooking, saute the kale. Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the garlic for just a minute or 2, until it becomes fragrant and is softened. Add the kale to the skillet and season it with salt and pepper. Cook until the kale is wilted, stirring often, about 3 minutes.

When the potatoes are done carefully slice them in half. Gently mash the insides and top each one with butter and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Divide the kale mixture between the potatoes, then top them both evenly with the pecans, dried cranberries and feta cheese. Serve immediately. 

Bon Appétit!

I'm proud to be a Produce for Kids partner and contributor, and I thank them for sponsoring this post! 

All opinions, as always, are my own.

Visit www.produceforkids.com/Meijer for more information on how to support the campaign. Visit ProduceForKids.com for more than 250 registered dietitian-approved and family-tested recipes, meal planning tools, grocery store specific campaign details, and healthy tips from real parents. 

Follow Produce for Kids on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat (ProduceforKids) for more recipe ideas and healthy eating tips all year long!