Wednesday, September 16, 2009

BUTTERNUT SQUASH-SPINACH MASH

My favorite veggie for any time of the year is butternut squash. Combined with spinach, it's not just delicious -- it's also a powerhouse of antioxidants,vitamins and minerals. Butternut squash is fat free and nutrient dense, with Vitamins A, B and C, as well as an assortment of minerals, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and iron. Spinach is no slouch, either. It's considered a negative-calorie food -- can you imagine that? Researchers have identified at least 13 different flavonoid compounds in spinach that function as antioxidants and as anti-cancer agents. Butternut squash and spinach both taste great by themselves, and they also taste great together.

This dish goes together quickly and easily and could almost be served as a meal by itself. It must be all that nutrition making this combination very filling and satisfying.

Butternut Squash-Spinach Mash
Source: Judy's Kitchen
Rating: 8 out of 10
Printable Recipe

INGREDIENTS: 1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 small shallot, chopped fine
1 cup cooked butternut squash, roughly mashed
1/8 tsp. sea salt
big pinch black pepper
2 big pinches grated fresh nutmeg
3 fresh sage leaves, chopped
1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup cooked, drained, chopped spinach
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese plus additional cheese for topping

In saute pan or fry pan with high sides, heat the oil over medium-high heat; add the shallot and cook till transparent. Stir in the squash, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and sage till the squash starts to caramelize a bit, about 3 minutes, then stir in the broth and spinach. Allow mixture to bubble then cover, reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes to let flavors develop. Stir in cheese right before serving, and top with additional cheese, if desired. Yield: 2-3 servings

10 comments:

Trish said...

Hey....this has the right ingredients alright. I must say I have never had the two combined....squash and spinach but I am liking the combo for sure. And with fresh sage leaves...terrific. Yum...love it!

Velva said...

I really enjoy butternut squash and this is an interesting flavor combination with spinach. I am really looking forward to the Fall weather when squashes become abundant!

Debbie said...

Looks delicious and perfect for fall!

chow and chatter said...

oh i love this and so healthy yummy

Janice said...

Sounds great, I love both butternut squash and spinach. Thanks for your comments on my blog, you are right that Gammon is Ham and I use both terms interchangeably. Also correct about lazy moo lol!

Reeni said...

This sounds delicious Judy! My veggie favorites all rolled into one!

Coleens Recipes said...

When my kids were little, the only way I served butternut squash was to candy it like sweet potatoes. This looks like a WONDERFUL change.

teresa said...

what a gorgeous side dish, it looks like it's bursting with flavor!

Linda said...

Sounds wonderful!

♥peachkins♥ said...

Oh you had a new lay out!
This looks like a nice side dish..