Save the Planet with this Cheesy Pumpkin and Bean Tortillas Recipe

Save the planet AND enjoy a tasty meal with these easy-to-make, meat-free tortillas…

Did you know that you can save our environment through your food choices? Producing meat uses a lot of water (something that is increasingly identified as being scarce) and can have long-standing negative impacts on our environment. Having just one meat-free meal with your family every week is the equivalent of taking your family car off the road for five weeks!.. PLUS it’s a great way to try out some of the amazing vegetables we grow right here in Aotearoa.

So why not try having a Meat-free Monday in your household?

What you need:

800g butternut pumpkin
1 red capsicum
1 yellow capsicum
Olive oil spray
400g can mild (or hot, if you like spicey food) chilli beans
250g cream cheese (or cottage cheese, for a low-fat option)
2 tablespoons chopped chives
10 tortillas
400g can of chopped tomatoes
1/3 cup grated cheese

REMEMBER...
Always ask permission from a grown-up before using an oven, or getting to work in the kitchen.

What to do:

Preheat your oven to 220°C.
Ask an adult to help you peel and cut your pumpkin into approximately 1cm cubes.
Ask an adult to help you cut your capsicum into approximately 1cm cubes.
Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Place the pumpkin and capsicum on the baking tray and spray with oil.
Bake the pumpkin and capsicum until tender.
Transfer the baked vegetables to a bowl and mix in the beans, cream cheese and chives.
Heat the tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds to soften them.
Next, place the tortillas on a flat surface and spoon approximately 3-4 heaped tablespoons of the mixture into the centre of each tortilla.
Roll up each tortilla and place them in a shallow baking dish.
Pour tomatoes over the tortillas and top with the cheeses.
Bake for 6 - 10 minutes, or until heated through.
Serve immediately and don’t forget to wash out and recycle all the food packaging that you need to dispose of after cooking your meal.