Happy New Year, friends! Gosh 2020 – what a time to be alive! 🙂
Not that I don’t absolutely love time off, but if you’re anything like me, I am READY to get out of “holiday vacation” mode, and get back to my normal routine, and schedule, and focus. The break has been nice, but it’s time to get back to the hustle!
Well, tonight, I thought I’d share one of my all time favorite recipes from this past year: Butternut Squash Boats!
Truly, this meal is in my Top 3 dishes I make. Which is quite a statement, I know. But it is 100% accurate.
A roasted butternut squash (Winter), filled with a bountiful stuffing of bright, colorful flavors (Spring): Pears, beets, carrots, brussels sprouts, and pistachios. And all of it smothered in a peanut butter drizzle.
Drooling yet? haha
And the best part is that it’s Vegan, Grain and Gluten Free, Specific Carb Diet friendly, and Paleo!
But don’t let that scare you – it’s slap-yo-mama good!
Here’s what you need: (Serves 2)
1 butternut squash, halved lengthwise
Stuffing:
1 beet, small dice
1 carrot, small dice
1 pear, small dice
The leaves of 4 brussels sprouts
1/2 red onion, minced
handful of spinach
2 dozen pistachios
Drizzle:
1-2 Tbsp peanut butter (or almond butter)
3 Tbsp water
1/2 tsp honey (or a few drops of stevia)
Tools:
Good chef’s knife (this is the one I use and love)
2 baking sheets
large nonstick frying pan
Tinfoil (I use nonstick tinfoil, and it is a game changer)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375. Cut the top and tail off the butternut squash. Then stand it up on the flat bottom, and carefully, cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and either discard, or roast for a yummy snack! Brush with olive oil, and place cut-side-down on a tinfoil-lined, olive oil-sprayed baking sheet. Bake for about 45-50 minutes, until tender.
On a separate tinfoil-lined, olive oil-sprayed baking sheet, spread out the beets and carrots in an even layer. Bake for about 20 minutes, until tender and beginning to caramelize.
Meanwhile, prep your brussels sprouts by tearing off the leaves. You will be sautéing them.
In a large frying pan, sautè the onions in 1-2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper over medium-high heat. Let them cook for about 3 minutes, until soft. Then add the brussels sprout leaves and spinach. Stir them around for 1-2 minutes, until the brussels sprouts leaves have become bright green. Immediately remove the contents of the pan from the heat and set aside. (You just flash-sautèed the leaves 🙂 )
Chop the pear and make the dressing by combining the dressing ingredients. Add enough water until it becomes “drizzly.” Add honey to taste. I added a few drops of stevia.
When the beets and carrots come out of the oven, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, and toss with the pears, brussels sprouts leaves mixture, and pistachios.
To assemble, scoop a generous portion of the stuffing into the butternut squash cavity and drizzle liberally with the peanut butter sauce. Garnish with more pistachios.
I always bring this with me to dinner parties. Because the Specific Carb Diet is so intense, I never ask the host to accommodate my needs, I always just volunteer to bring my own meal. And this meal travels exceptionally well. I just bring the stuffing and squash in separate tupperwares, the drizzle in a little condiment container, and it comes together in about 2 minutes, and can be eaten at room temperature.
Friends, beware: if you bring this to a dinner party, you will be the source of food envy from your meat and gluten-gobbling companions. Be prepared to give half of it away, because EVERYONE will want to try it! 🙂
Why? BECAUSE IT’S FREAKING AWESOME!! Not only is it visually stunning with the purples and oranges and different hues of green, but it taste SO. GOOD.
There is this subtle sweetness from the beets and the carrots and the butternut squash, which is complimented perfectly by the nutty and rich sauce. The brussels sprouts provide a wonderfully savory note, while the pistachios give this pop of salty nuttiness. And the pears. OH, THE PEARS! Chiming in with this intensely sweet note that takes this ditto the next level.
And the textures! Oh my, oh my. The squash is creamy and soft, while the roasted veggies are chewy and beautifully caramelized. The pears provide an amazing juiciness, and the pistachios give this amazing crunch! Very satisfying. 🙂
Alright, I could go on and on, but I think I’ll just let you experience it for yourself.
What do you do when you throw a dinner party? Do you try to meet all the food allergy needs? Do you make a special dish? Or ask them to bring their own?
Alright, well I hope you all have a fantastic and joyful evening!
Happy cooking! And may the odds be ever in your favor! 🙂
“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5
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49 responses to “Butternut Squash Boats!”
Looks delicious! I’m with you, I’m ready to get back to it. I took down the Christmas lights on the house today and we recycled our tree the day after Christmas. 🙂 We hit the ground runnin’ for sure! Happy New Year sister! Many blessings to you for 2020!
Thanks ryan! That sounds about right! Time to get back to normalcy! The break was wonderful, but so is being productive! 🙂 Happy New Year! 🎉 Hugs and love xox
This looks delicious. Maybe I can convince my husband to try it this weekend. Happy 2020! Btw..Loved the post about do it & do it now. My new mantra! She’s a bright light and we’re all better for knowing and loving her. Keep up the inspiring work.❤️
Thanks Mary! Happy 2020 to you too! And yay! Sounds like an awesome mindset for the new year! Amen – I love my mama! Happy New Year! 🎉
Keep sharing
Thanks so much! Happy New Year! 🎉
looks amazing! Happy New Year!
Aw thank you 🙂 Happy New Year! 🎉
I cannot wait to try this 😋❤️
Awesome!!! I hope you love it Lisa! Happy New Year! 🎉
This looks gorgeous will have to try it.
Thank you so much!! Hope you love it as much as I did! Hugs and love xox
I’m ready to get to work in 2020, too! I have no idea what day it is or if I’m supposed to be somewhere! 😆 This sounds amazing! I love roasted vegetables. Thanks for sharing this, and happy new year to you! Blessings in the new year! I appreciate your blog! 😊
That fresh start is such a great feeling isn’t it?! Thanks so much Crystal! Happy New Year! 🎉
Happy healthy new year
Same to you Susie!!!Happy New Year! 🎉
◇ – Diamond Hard – ◇
◇ The Key 🤔 ? Live a 3DLife that is ALWAYS!!! a “vacation”; it’s Crystal Clear Clarity ‘NEVER!!! Do AnyThing that Seems like “hustle”‘
◇ – Diamond Hard – ◇
…◇◇◇…
♡ Oh, by the way (BTW) EveryOne Happy New Year; may 2020 bring You ALL You Desire and Deserve
…♡♡♡…
🙌🏼🥰💛🥰✨
What a delicious looking dish that is healthy. Caralyn, thank you for sharing. Happy New Year with some of your dreams fulfilled. Love and hugs!
Thank you so much!! Same to you! May 2020 be blessed and full of Life! Hugs and love xox
You are welcome! xo
😍
I love Butternut Squash 😍. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year, Caralyn!!
Thanks Jenny!! Me too! I have it a couple times a week! 🙂 hehe Happy New Year! 🎉 Hugs and love xox
Omg, those look absolutely delicious! Oh and happy new year by the way! Thank you so much for sharing ❤❤🦋
Thank you so much Lane! They were a real treat! Happy New Year! 🎉 Hugs and love xox
Just woke up. Even at 5:55am I face a temptation rowing in on a little boat. Somehow, I think my breakfast will look bland now, this is so cute.
Hahahaha you’re funny Pete! Thanks so much! Happy New Year! 🎉 Hugs and love xox
Happy 2020, Caralyn, wishing you all of the best and many little boats. It appears you know how to deal with a pumpkin. #blessings xoxo
Haha hahah pumpkins are my specialty 😎 blessed 2020 to you!!
PhD Pumkin?? 😎🎖🏅🏆
Hahaha yes!
I recently threw a dinner party and had two menu options in mind. One was an encrusted pork loin and the other was a smoky Spanish-style pan roast which has shrimp in it. When I asked the guests if they had any dietary restrictions, darn if one couldn’t eat pork and another was allergic to shellfish. We had chicken linguine. You have to be flexible! We had a great time together and everyone liked the linguine, so it’s all good! Happy New Year!
Oh my gosh that sounds like an absolutely amazing menu! But you’re right – flexibility! Happy New Year! 🎉
This is a keeper. Thank you for sharing!
As thanks!! It was super delish!! Happy New Year! 🎉
I’m gonna try it over the weekend. Happy New Year lovely!
Hope you love it!
This looks divine Triple B.
Blessings and peace to you in the new year.
Aw thanks 🙂 same to you!! Happy New Year! 🎉
Butternut Squash Boats are a family favorite. We were introduced to them about four years ago. They are so delicious. Happy New Year 🎆
oh awesome, Yonnie!! they really are scrumptious! they’re filling, healthy and beautiful too! Happy New Year! 🎉
Thanks so much 🎉. They are indeed filling and delicious. 😊
🙌🏼
This looks delicious! I’m definitely expanding my repetoire of super healthy recipes in the New Year and bookmarking this one. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Marissa!! Hope you try it and love it! Hugs and love xox
Yum!
🙂 hehe they were delicious! 🙂 i’m making them again tomorrow! 🙂 which reminds me, i need to stop at the grocery! lollll