According to the government Centers for Disease Control website, Fruits and Veggies Matter, almost everyone needs to find a way to work more fruits and vegetables into the daily diet. Fruits and vegetables, like winter squash, provide several important vitamins and minerals that are essential for good health and disease prevention. Winter squash, with its deep yellow-orange color, is high in Vitamin A, which the CDC reports helps keep eyes and skin healthy and helps protect against infections.
Roasted Mashed Squash is an easy way to work a serving of healthy, nutrient-dense winter squash into the diet. Its slightly sweet taste is appealing to both children and adults and it makes a nice side dish for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner or a regular family meal that will also please vegetarian and vegan diners. .
Roasted Mashed Squash Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 medium butternut squash
- 2 Cortland apples
- 1 yellow onion
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Dash of freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Peal and seed the butternut squash. Cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Peal and core the apples. Cut into cubes.
- Peal and chop the onion.
- Toss the squash, apple and onion together in a large mixing bowl.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the fruit and vegetable mixture.
- Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Use a wooden spoon to stir the mixture until everything is evenly coated with olive oil.
- Divide the squash mixture between two cookie sheets and spread into a single layer on each sheet.
- Roast for about 30 minutes or until the squash is very soft.
- Use a metal spatula to scoop the cooked squash mixture into a large glass or metal bowl.
- Use a hand-held mixer to blend the squash, apples and onions until smooth.
Tips for Making Roasted Mashed Squash
- Check the squash often towards the end of the cooking time to avoid burning the squash. Pierce a piece of winter squash with a fork to test for doneness.
- Use a mixing bowl large enough to keep the mixture from splashing out when mashing the squash. Remember that the butternut squash mixture is hot, so mix carefully.
- Roasted Mashed Squash is best served hot. If it cools while the rest of the dinner cooks, reheat in a small pot on the stovetop. Add a small amount of olive oil to keep the side dish from sticking to the cooking pot when reheating.
Add Roasted Mashed Squash to the next holiday meal or family dinner. Enjoy this tasty side dish while getting a healthy serving of winter squash into the family.
Source:
Centers for Disease Control website, Fruits and Veggies Matter
Barb Hacker - Barb is a busy mom of three boys and a freelance writer. She is an avid reader who enjoys reading about history, parenting and gardening. ...
