Pima County Food AllianceMyPlate Project
This project was inspired by a desire to make USDA’s MyPlate graphic (while more intuitive than MyPyramid, we think it still needs a little help) even more applicable to our local food context. We asked ourselves, “If we wanted to create a MyPlate with only local ingredients, what would it look like?”
The question was a little more complicated than we initially anticipated, but after some discussion and brainstorming, we tackled the fun task of cooking, photographing and eating (of course), some delicious local food. Here are the results:
Summer Season
MyPlate 1, Native Version (also Vegetarian)
Quesadillas + White Bean Dip + Salad + Watermelon
Native Foods Summer MyPlate, “Before” photo.
Counterclockwise from top: tomato, onion, purslane, squash, Tohono O’odham yellow watermelon, prickly pear, pomegranate, Mennonite cheese, white tepary beans, mesquite bean pods and whole grain tortilla, water.
Native Foods Summer Plate, “After” photo.
And the finished product! Counterclockwise from top: Mesquite flour tortilla quesadillas with grilled squash, white tepary bean dip garnished with tomatoes, Tohono O’odham yellow watermelon, purslane salad with pomegranate, prickly pear tea.
MyPlate 2, Local Version
London Broil Beef + Amaranth Tabouli + Sauteed Pears with Prickly Pear Sauce
Local Summer MyPlate , “Before” photo.
Counterclockwise from top: Mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, green onions, garlic, capers, lemon, herbs (parsley and basil), tomatoes, pears, prickly pear syrup, beef, amaranth, olive oil, water.
Local Summer MyPlate, “After” photo.
And the finished product! Counterclockwise from left: Sauteed pears with prickly pear sauce, London broil beef, amaranth tabouli, water.
MyPlate 3, Local and Vegetarian Version
Rolled Souffle with Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive Tapenade + Amaranth Tabouli + Sauteed Pears with Prickly Pear Sauce
Local Summer MyPlate, “Before” photo.
Counterclockwise from top: Sun-dried tomatoes, olives, green onions, garlic, capers, lemon, herbs (parsley and basil), tomatoes, pears, prickly pear syrup, eggs, cheese (cotija, parmesan, nuefchatel, Oaxaca), milk, amaranth, olive oil, water.
Local Summer MyPlate, “After” photo.
And the finished product! Counterclockwise from left: Sauteed pears with prickly pear sauce, rolled souffle with sun-dried tomato and olive tapenade, amaranth tabouli, water.
Fall Season
MyPlate 1, Local Version (also Vegetarian)
Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Eggplant + Corn Cakes + Oven-Baked Apple Compote
Local Fall MyPlate, “Before” photo.
Counter-clockwise, from top: Eggplant, basil, spaghetti squash, spices, onion, tomatoes, lemon, apple, corn, corn meal, flour, egg, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, water.
Local Fall MyPlate, “After” photo.
And the finished product! Counter-clockwise from top: Pesto spaghetti squash with eggplant, apple compote, corn cakes, water.
MyPlate 2, Native Version (also Vegetarian)
Amaranth Pilaf + Southwestern Succotash + Melon & Nopalito Salad + Honey Roasted Squash
Native Fall MyPlate, “Before” photo.
Counter-clockwise, from top: Squash, prickly pear, cilantro, honey, amaranth grains, feta cheese, pecans, white beans, corn, apple, cantaloupe, cinnamon, white onion, garlic.
Native Fall MyPlate, “After” photo.
Counter-clockwise, from top: Amaranth pilaf with prickly pear, honey roasted squash with apples & pecans, melon & nopalito salad, southwestern succotash.
Winter Season
MyPlate 1, Native Version (also Vegetarian)
Three Sisters Pozole + Pesto + Citrus & Fennel Salad
Native Foods Winter MyPlate, “Before” photo.
Counter-clockwise, from top: Fennel, mallow, mustard greens, grapefruit, kale, orange, saguaro seeds, hominy, garlic, jalapeño, anasazi beans, lime, onion, pumpkin, red onion.
Native Foods Winter Plate, “After” photo.
And the finished project! Counter-clockwise from right: Three sisters pozole, cilantro pesto (soup topping), fennel & citrus salad with wild mustard greens & saguaro seed dressing.
MyPlate 2, Local Version
Pulled Pork + Cole Slaw + Sweet Potato Biscuits
Local Winter MyPlate, “Before” photo.
Local Winter MyPlate, “After” photo.
MyPlate 3, Local and Vegetarian Version
Butternut Squash Enchiladas + Cole Slaw + Sweet Potato Biscuits
Local Winter MyPlate, “Before” photo.
Local Winter MyPlate, “After” photo.
Spring Season
Still to come!
