Spicy-Sweet Quinoa Bowl with Butternut Squash

by | Updated: December 4th, 2016

It’s related to zucchini and may remind you of pumpkin, but butternut squash is in a league all its own, especially when it comes to flavor, versatility and required effort. Don’t be fooled by its seemingly sturdy exterior; it’s actually incredibly simple to peel the thin skin and slice the flesh of this fruit (yep, it’s a fruit!) into bite-sized pieces.

And those sweet and slightly nutty bite-sizes pieces just to happen to be a perfect match for fluffy quinoa, chives, lime, garlic and the slow-burning heat of habanero-infused olive oil.Toss all of that together in a bowl for a flavorful vegetarian dinner. (Or scoop it onto a plate and serve with your favorite entree.)

Basically, you have no excuse not to stop by the farmer’s market this weekend for a bounty of butternut squash.

Butternut Squash Quinoa Bowl Recipe
Spicy-Sweet Quinoa Bowl with Butternut Squash

 

Ingredients:
2 cups of cooked butternut squash
1 cup quinoa (white or multi-colored) and 2 cups water

Dressing:
2 Tbsp Vitacost Citrus Habanero Infused Olive Oil
Juice of 1 lime
2-3 Tbsp chopped chives
1 clove garlic, crushed
¼ tsp salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:

To cook squash:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Place butternut squash on a cookie sheet and bake for 90 minutes.
3. Allow to cool, then peel and cube – you’ll need 2 cups for this dish.

To cook quinoa:
4. Rinse well in a fine mesh colander.
5. Combine with 2 cups water in a medium sauce pan.
6. Bring to a boil, then simmer and cook for 15 minutes.

7. To make dressing, mix together olive oil, lime juice, chives, garlic, salt and pepper.
8. Toss butternut squash, quinoa and dressing in a bowl.

Yield: 8 servings

Pamela Higgins

Pam Higgins, Certified Health Coach, AADP received her credentials from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2010. Pam is the Founder of Total Health Counseling, LLC and www.totalhealthcounseling.com. She is a sensitive foodie and focuses on teaching clients about eating delicious food with pleasure. Pam will show you how to access your blueprint for healthy eating and lifestyle so you can be your best. Pam healed herself from years of chronic digestive and skin inflammation by accessing her own blueprint for healthy living and helps her clients find foods that nourish + balance their bodies. Pam lives in South Florida with her husband, Heman and dog, Cali. Contact Pam directly via email at totalhealthcounseling@gmail.com.