Squaw bread is a traditional Native American food. It’s also known as Native American bread or Indian bread, and it’s become an increasingly popular item in the United States.
It’s also easy to make at home or buy from local stores at affordable prices — although if you live in certain areas, you’ll probably have to buy it online.
This article discusses what squaw bread is, how it can benefit your health, and more. So if you’re curious about this type of bread, keep reading.
What Is Squaw Bread?
Squaw bread is a traditional Native American bread made from rye, molasses, and other ingredients. The bread is traditionally leavened with yeast and sometimes with baking soda, but it can also be made without any additional leavening agent.
Squaw bread is sometimes called Native American bread or Indian bread. The name “squaw” comes from the Algonquin word for “woman,” so it may be called squaw bread because it was traditionally made by Native American women.
There are several varieties of this type of bread, including plain, rosemary, and even chocolate chip squaw bread. Each type has its unique flavor profile, which makes it easy to tell them apart.
SEE: What Does Rye Bread Taste Like?
Is Squaw Bread Healthy?
The short answer is yes. Squaw bread is rich in carbohydrates, which promote digestion, improve muscle mass, and provide energy for physical activity.
In addition to being a great source of carbohydrates, this bread contains a lot of fiber. Fiber lowers cholesterol levels, helps you feel full, and promotes digestive health.
This Native American bread is also rich in iron, which helps maintain the level of red blood cells in your body. Iron deficiency can lead to serious health problems, including fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and shortness of breath.
Furthermore, this type of bread can provide your body with protein. Protein builds and repairs body tissues while boosting the immune system to prevent infection from occurring.
SEE: Is Honey Wheat Bread Good for You?
Is Squaw Bread Vegan?
No, it isn’t. Squaw bread is not vegan because it contains honey and butter—both of which are animal by-products.
However, it’s possible to make this bread vegan by making your own at home. For instance, you can use coconut oil instead of butter and agave nectar instead of honey in your recipe.
Is Squaw Bread Gluten-Free?
No, it’s not gluten-free. The reason why squaw bread is not gluten-free is that it contains rye flour, which contains gluten. Therefore, if you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, this bread isn’t safe for you to eat.
However, if you don’t have any of those issues, then you can enjoy this delicious bread. If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, check out this list of naturally gluten-free foods.
SEE: Does Jimmy John’s Offer Gluten-Free Bread on Their Menu?
Is Squaw Bread Keto-Friendly?
No, it is not. The reason why squaw bread is not keto-friendly is that it’s a great source of carbohydrates. If you’re on a keto diet or trying to avoid carbs, you should avoid this bread or consult your doctor before adding it to your diet.
Is Squaw Bread Dairy-Free?
No, it is not dairy-free. Squaw bread contains butter, which is a dairy product. So if you’re lactose intolerant or just don’t want to eat dairy, this bread is not suitable for you.
However, if you don’t mind making this bread at home, then you can make it dairy-free. You can try using coconut oil or olive oil instead of butter when making this bread.
SEE: Is Dairy-Free the Same as Lactose-Free?
Is Squaw Bread Healthier Than White Bread?
Yes, it is. Squaw bread is healthier than white bread because it contains less refined flour and more whole grains. It also has more dietary fiber than its white counterpart. For example, one slice of squaw bread has 5 grams of fiber, while one slice of white bread has about 0.8 grams of fiber.
The high amount of dietary fiber in squaw bread also makes it great for people with digestive problems like Crohn’s disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), who need more fiber in their diet.
How to Make Homemade Squaw Bread
Ingredients:
- ½ cup rye flour
- 5 tbsps molasses
- 2 tbsps honey
- 1 tbsp instant yeast
- 3 tbsps cocoa powder
- 2 ½ cups wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups warm water
- 2 tbsps melted butter
Directions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the rye flour, wheat flour, all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, and yeast.
- Add water, molasses, honey, butter, and cocoa powder to the mixture and stir well.
- Cover with a damp cloth and let it sit for at least one hour or overnight in a warm room (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Knead the dough for about 8 minutes, adding more flour if necessary to make a soft, smooth dough. Kneading will activate the gluten in the flour, which gives bread its structure and elasticity.
- Put the dough into an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and leave it to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size (the longer it sits, the better it will rise).
- This final rising gives the bread its characteristic shape and makes it easier to slice later on (if you skip this final rise step, your bread may be uneven).
- Bake the dough at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 30 minutes.
- Let your homemade bread cool for about 5-10 minutes before slicing.
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What Is the Healthiest Spread to Put on Squaw Bread?
Hummus
Hummus is a great choice if you want to try something healthier than butter or mayonnaise on your bread. It’s a great source of probiotics, which helps promote digestive health by supporting healthy gut bacteria.
Avocado
Another healthy spread to put on your squaw bread is avocado. It’s a great source of monounsaturated fats, vitamins, and minerals like potassium and phosphorus. Avocado also contains folate and dietary fiber, which help lower cholesterol levels in the body.
Peanut butter
Peanut butter is not only a great source of fat and protein, but it contains vitamin A and vitamin D as well. The nutrient is what makes it so good for your body. Peanut butter also has a decent amount of calcium and sodium.
Organic jam or jelly
If you’re looking for something sweet and healthy, try an organic jam or jelly. They contain organic fruit juice concentrates, so they can be quite healthy choices.
SEE: Grocery Shopping Tips and Tricks You Need to Know
FAQs
Is squaw bread sweet?
Yes, it is. Squaw bread is a sweet bread that people often eat plain or with foods like ham or eggs. It can also be made into dessert squares or used for making sandwiches or other savory dishes.
Where can you find squaw bread?
Squaw bread can be hard to find, but you can find it at many places that sell Native American foods. You can also find it at some restaurants, food stands, health food stores, and online.
What is the healthiest bread you can eat?
There are different types of healthy bread, but the healthiest bread you can eat is probably whole wheat. Whole wheat bread is made from 100% whole wheat flour.
The main reason why whole wheat bread is healthier than other types of bread is that it contains more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It also has higher levels of fiber, which helps lower cholesterol levels, control blood sugar levels and improve digestive health.
SEE: If Ciabatta Bread Is Healthy For You
How do you eat squaw bread?
Squaw bread can be eaten by itself or accompaniment to other foods. You can serve it warm or cold with different types of foods, including ham, chicken, or eggs.
What bread can diabetics eat?
Whole wheat bread. This type of bread is good for diabetics because it has a low glycemic index and contains more fiber and protein than other types of bread.
Whole wheat bread also provides vitamins and minerals that are lacking in most types of bread. These include iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
Conclusion
Squaw bread is a traditional Native American bread that’s made with rye, molasses, and other ingredients such as honey.
Besides being delicious, it also has many health benefits, including helping to lower cholesterol levels, improve digestion, and repair body tissues.
This Native American bread is also very easy to make at home. You can follow the traditional recipe or change it according to your dietary requirements.
Thanks for reading.
Visit Cheffist for more information on different kinds of bread.
