26 Apr Harissa Spiced Roasted Butternut Squash and The Awesome Health Benefits of Squash!
“NUMEROUS SCIENTIFIC STUDIES NOW CONFIRM THAT A WHOLE FOODS DIET COMPRISED PRIMARILY OF VEGETABLES, FRUITS, GRAINS, LEGUMES, AND NUTS WITHOUT ADDED OIL, SUGAR, AND SALT IS OPTIMAL FOR HUMAN HEALTH, NOT ONLY PREVENTING A BROAD RANGE OF DISEASE AND ILLNESSES, BUT ALSO REVERSING SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS CHRONIC CONDITIONS. THIS FINDING IS OF THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE TO THE COMMONWEALTH BECAUSE IT COMMUNICATES A TRUTH THAT HAS THE POWER TO SAVE LIVES.”
Butternut squash is one of my favorite vegetables (technically it is a fruit, but no one calls it that!). 9 times out of 10 I will roast butternut squash when I cook it. Roasting vegetables is the tastiest way to eat them in my opinion.
Something else I love is North African food. Yuuuuuum! Harissa is typically a thick paste used in North African cuisines made with garlic, chiles, spices, and other good stuff. I first discovered it when I was learning how to cook Moroccan food. In this recipe I use a dry harissa spice mix that I purchased from my farmers market. You could order this online if you can’t find it in a grocery store near you. Amazon has several harissa pastes and seasonings. I also used frozen butternut squash in this recipe and purchased my frozen butternut squash at Whole Foods. You may have to make this recipe with fresh butternut squash because I have not seen it frozen in any other store before.
The sweet butternut squash and corn mixed with the spice from the harissa go really well together. I’ve actually been eating this for lunch over a salad. I pour my Creamy Chipotle Dressing over it and top it with some pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for a nice crunch. It is delicious.
Squash is a great plant food to eat often. Squash, including butternut Squash, could provide you with 457% of the daily value per serving in vitamin A!! Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant essential for good skin and vision.
Check out the health benefits of the other meals!
HEALTH BENEFITS:
- Pomegranate Pineapple Smoothie: A compound found only in pomegranates called punicalagin is shown to benefit the heart and blood vessels. Recent medical research studied heart patients with severe carotid artery blockages. They were given an ounce of pomegranate juice each day for a year. Not only did study participants’ blood pressure lower by over 12 percent, but there was a 30 percent reduction in atherosclerotic plaque. Here is some more information on pomegranates!
- Harissa Spiced Roasted Butternut Squash: Butternut Squash could provide you with 457% of the daily value per serving in vitamin A. It may also help prevent high blood pressure.
*** This blog is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner. All information contained in this blog is the opinion of Monique and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.
-
- Harissa Spiced Roasted Butternut Squash
- 1 cup water filtered if possible
- 2 cups pomegranate juice
- 2 cups frozen pineapple
- 1 banana
- Blend everything together until smooth. Add water to adjust the sweetness and consistency, if desired.
- 16 oz frozen butternut squash
- 2 cups organic corn
- 2 teaspoons harissa seasoning
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- cooked brown rice optional
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Lightly oil a baking sheet.
- Place all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Spread the mixture onto your baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes and remove from the oven.
- To serve, place the butternut squash mixture over the rice.
If you cannot find harissa seasoning then try it with just the curry powder and lemon pepper.
Kathy Lacuna
Posted at 11:00h, 26 AprilI have always thought that going vegan meant eating boring, bland food. But your post showed me otherwise. Your dishes look so appetizing that I think it will not be difficult to switch to a vegan diet. Thanks for this post.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 17:44h, 26 AprilThat makes me so happy to hear!! Thank you 🙂
Claire Marie Algarme
Posted at 14:53h, 26 AprilAgain, you have shared with us another healthy, delicious recipes. The pasta looks yummy! What I even like about your blog is that the pictures seem to jump out of my computer screen. I can almost taste them just by looking at them.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 17:46h, 26 AprilHaha!! Thank you. I really try to make the photos vibrant and appetizing.
yemisi femi-pius
Posted at 15:56h, 26 AprilThank you monique for sharing this post on barely vegan recipes. It is highly informative.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 17:46h, 26 AprilThank you for visiting!
Sara
Posted at 18:02h, 26 AprilThanks for sharing all of this knowledge about the health benefits of Squash and the meals. I personally don’t consume a lot of vegetables because I feel like they don’t satisfy my hunger, but these recipes look so delicious. I just saved the smoothie recipe, that I’ll definitely be drinking!
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 20:20h, 26 AprilThank you very much! You’ll love the smoothie. You don’t even taste the spinach that’s in it!!
Debbie-jean Lemonte
Posted at 18:08h, 26 AprilThanks Monique for this. I’ve been contemplating the vegan lifestyle for a while and was a little fearful. The last time I tried, I became ill. I’m thinking it’s because I went cold turkey instead of transitioning into the lifestyle itself. I’ll be downloading your ebook for the extra help. <3
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 20:22h, 26 AprilThank you! I definitely think that transitioning into this healthy lifestyle instead of going cold turkey is why I’ve been able to maintain it for so long. I gave my tastebuds time to adjust to this healthier way of eating so now I crave plant foods…I don’t have to force myself or trick myself into thinking I like it. Good luck! 🙂 🙂
Cole
Posted at 19:55h, 26 AprilAll of these recipes look really yummy! I love butternut squash. The lunch and breakfast recipes look particularly delicious!
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 20:24h, 26 AprilI’m eating the butternut squash recipe as I type this!! I just love it. I hope you can try out one of the recipes. Thank you. 🙂
Bhushavali
Posted at 20:43h, 26 AprilI’m imagining African flavours to be kinda similar to Indian flavors with all our spices and climatic conditions.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 21:08h, 26 AprilYes!!! The flavors are definitely similar. Indian and North African food are two of my favorites EVER. I cook an Indian dish just about every week. 🙂
Dia All The Things I Do
Posted at 00:44h, 27 AprilSo the smoothie caught my eye for sure! I love healthy smoothies. I don’t know that I’ve ever made one with pomegranate but I do enjoy it so I should give it a try.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 01:13h, 27 AprilThank you so much, I hope you do!
Amanda Love
Posted at 04:39h, 27 AprilNow the one I really want to try is that coconut curry shrimp pasta. I’m on vacation but you can best believe that when I get back I’ll be giving it a try and I’ll let you know all about it too. I just know that the family would LOVE it!
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 07:03h, 27 AprilYes, please let me know how you like it!!! Thank you, enjoy the rest of your vacay!!
Elizabeth O.
Posted at 05:21h, 27 AprilI bet the smoothie is super refreshing, I love pineapples and when you combine it with pomegranate, you’ll have a drink packed with benefits! I love butternut squash, it’s one of my favorite ingredients.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 07:02h, 27 AprilYes, it is very refreshing! Thank you. 🙂
alison
Posted at 07:37h, 27 AprilGreat recipes! I definitely want to try all 3! I almost always roast my butternut squash too so this a great way to use it up!
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 07:45h, 27 AprilThank you so much!!
phyliciamarie
Posted at 10:08h, 27 AprilI don’t think I’ve ever tried butternut squash before, but I’m willing to try! Your recipe over rice looks sooooo yummy, and curry is always a great option.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 18:07h, 27 AprilYes! You can never go wrong with curry! Thanks.
Franc Ramon
Posted at 11:30h, 27 AprilThis is a good meal combo. It’s not too heavy on the tummy but it’s loaded with nutrients.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 18:06h, 27 AprilI’m glad you like this meal plan!! Thank you
Jason Panuelos
Posted at 12:17h, 27 AprilReally can’t get over your recipes and your photography! Everything looks so amazing and colorful and healthy! 😀
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 18:05h, 27 AprilThank you very much!
fred
Posted at 13:24h, 27 AprilThe smoothie looks so good! Yum! I would love to try the shrimp pasta too. I love all your recipes!
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 18:05h, 27 AprilHaha! Thank you.
Pooja Kawatra
Posted at 13:42h, 27 AprilWonderful recipes you keep on sharing and this looks fantastic as well. Seriously I have never tried this one before so good to give a try.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 18:05h, 27 AprilThank you!!
Mia Foo
Posted at 14:31h, 27 Aprilthe smoothie sounds tasty! will love to try it out some day. haven’t seen butternut squash anywhere in my local marts. if not i’ll give that recipe a try too!
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 18:12h, 27 AprilIt’s interesting that so many people have never seen, or even heard of, butternut squash!! I definitely think you’ll like it if you ever get to try it. It is savory and hearty with a little sweetness when roasted! I love it!! Thank you for visiting.
Fred
Posted at 15:09h, 27 AprilI have never tasted pomegranate before so this one got me curious. This is also the first time I had even heard of Harissa and Butternut. That main dish looks so good to eat, really.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 18:05h, 27 AprilTo me Pomegranates tastes kind of like cherries mixed with strawberries. I really love it! 🙂
Tiffany Yong
Posted at 18:51h, 27 AprilI love your meals, but I always think mixing so many fruits into one drink for the smoothie is pretty troublesome… I’m a fuss-free kinda person and prefer simple and straightforward dishes
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 21:17h, 27 AprilNothing is more straightforward and simple than a smoothie!! lol. And do some research. There is nothing wrong with having a fruit smoothie. For most people that’s the only fruit they will eat ALL day and we all need to consume several servings of fruit every single day. Eat it with toast, oatmeal, or something if it’s too sweet. Nothing wrong with that. Thanks for visiting!
Joren Umacob
Posted at 23:34h, 27 AprilWow! Nice diet watch! I must say the food looks so delicious. I want to try!????
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 23:56h, 27 AprilThank you!
Agnes
Posted at 00:28h, 28 AprilGreat recipes and awesome pictures! Can’t wait to try the Harissa spiced squash, sounds delish!
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 04:19h, 28 AprilThank you!
Anne V
Posted at 00:43h, 28 AprilWow! All 3 dishes look scrumptious, plus I just love butternut squash. It’s one of my favorite vegetables. What’s harissa seasoning made of by the way?
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 04:23h, 28 AprilIt depends on who makes it. Most of them contain paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and caraway. After that people add other spices to make their own special version of Harissa dry spice mix. I hope that helps and thanks for the question!
Shubhada
Posted at 00:45h, 28 AprilHealthy and drool worthy!! Pomegranate and pineapple looks like a bit unusual combo. Never tried before. Now will give a try.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 04:18h, 28 AprilIt tastes great! I add spinach to mellow out the sweetness. Hope you like it.
Julie Syl Kalungi
Posted at 15:58h, 28 AprilEverything looks delicious and healthy. I love curry, but I’ve never tried it on pasta. I probably should try this.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 16:03h, 28 Aprilthanks
Karen Hopkins
Posted at 16:00h, 28 AprilWow! I am not vegan but this looks absolutely amazing! I will have to try it out. Thanks for sharing!
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 16:03h, 28 Aprilthanks
Bhuboy Villanueva
Posted at 17:27h, 28 AprilSince I found out that I have a high level of cholesterol, it was 451, I started to look into and change my diet, I included more fruits and vegetables. but mostly just slice fruits and green salad from a store, which makes not stick to it. Now , I realized there is more to healthy eating, than just eating plain salads and fruits.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 05:39h, 29 AprilOh wow, I am glad you decided to try eating healthier to help with your cholesterol. It takes time, but I really hope you are able to lower it. 🙂
roch
Posted at 00:53h, 29 AprilIt’s good to learn the health benefits of food ingredients in a recipe. It makes dining guilt-free and also pleasurable. I love squash and also pomegranate smoothie although we only get them when they’re in season.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 05:37h, 29 AprilYes, I was lucky to find it frozen, otherwise I would have had to wait until they were in season. Thank you!
Danessa Foo
Posted at 01:05h, 29 AprilWhat a variety of unique Vegan recipes. Thanks for sharing. I agree with what you stand for. Sometimes when I don’t have appetite to eat, I’ll go for light non-meaty meals like soups and salad.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 05:36h, 29 AprilThank you for the kind words!
Sunshine Kelly
Posted at 00:45h, 30 AprilToday I feel like trying our the coconut curry shrimp pasta. I need some seafood in my diet too. Thanks for the awesome recipes.
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 04:54h, 30 AprilI hope you like it!
George Felix
Posted at 03:50h, 30 AprilWOW! So tasty and healthy! Thanks for sharing this. I will try it!
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 04:54h, 30 AprilThanks
Psychic Nest
Posted at 00:29h, 12 MayI’m a huge fan of curry on anything over rice, so this recipe excites me! The smoothie on the side really gives this dish a unique character and I love the presentation. Very impressive Monique! I’ll be sure to try this recipe soon!
Daytime Vegan
Posted at 01:41h, 12 MayThank you! I appreciate the kind words!