It’s that time of year…we all want some warming comfort foods! And you can- and should- indulge those cravings. It’s important to listen to your body and the normal shifts per season. But you can do have comfort foods in the form of delish Beauty Detox dishes that won’t set you back and will fill your tummy up while you nourish your beautiful skin and hair.
Here’s where my Moroccan Spice Butternut Squash Recipe comes in. Packed with spices that will be sending you daydreaming to distant places, while aiding your digestion, and providing fiber-filling squash that will have your hair and skin glowing in no time!
Moroccan Spice
Every country has their special spice mix, from India (with it’s various curry powders), to the delicious Chinese Five Spice. All these different mixtures of exotic spices bring out the best of their essential oils and flavor! YUM!
I was fortunate to have gone to Morocco a few years ago…and I’m obsessed! I love the bright colors and architecture and riads and decor…and the spices! There are many versions for the Moroccan Spice mixtures (3-spice to 5-spice, and even 7-spice). Feel free to use my version or yours. All these aromas and flavor just add a unique taste and flavor like no other. I like to make my spice blends in small batches so the potency doesn’t lessen, or in this case, just toss the ingredients in, one-by-one (adjusting the flavor according to your desired taste).
The spices found in this Moroccan mix have been known to aid with digestive issues. If you find yourself visiting the area and have belly issues, don’t be surprised if a mother will pop or even shove a spoonful of cumin in your mouth! 😉
Butternut Squash
Butternut squash (and other types of squash) have lots of the antioxidant beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin C, and beautifying minerals like iron. They’re filling, but they’re low in fat, carbs, and calories, and are easy to digest—which makes them a fabulous beauty food.
One cup of butternut squash provides a whopping 437% percent of your vitamin A needs for the day, and 52% of vitamin C. There is also the 10% or more of vitamin E, plus vitamin B-6, folate, thiamin, magnesium and manganese, just to name a few.
What does this mean to us? It means healthier skin and hair from the high Vitamin A content (needed for sebum production that keeps hair moisturized), which also plays a role in the growth of all bodily tissues, including skin.
An added bonus: one serving of butternut squash can provide over 50% of the required vitamin C intake for the day. Why so important? Because this is needed for the building and maintenance of collagen, which provides structure to skin and hair—keeping it looking healthy and strong. It truly is as beautifying as it is delicious.
If that wasn’t enough to motivate us, butternut squash also helps in maintaining a high fiber diet which helps to prevent bloating and constipation—promoting a healthier gut, as well as decreasing inflammation and improving immune function.
Click here to aid your digestion and promote a happier gut!
Prepare all your ingredients.
Heat coconut oil over medium heat in large heavy-bottomed pot.
Add onions and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until translucent.
Add butternut squash and garlic and cook for one more minute, until garlic is fragrant.
Add tomatoes, vegetable stock, cinnamon, paprika, cumin, allspice, salt and pepper and bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes, until squash is tender and broth has thickened considerably.
Serve over kale or green salad. Enjoy!
Check out this tasty recipe below…
Moroccan Spice Butternut Squash Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbs coconut oil
- 1 1/2 c. chopped yellow onion
- 1 lb. butternut squash peeled, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
- 2 tsp. minced fresh garlic
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp. ground paprika
- 2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/8 tsp. ground allspice
- Minced flat-leaf parsley for serving
- Sea salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Kale or green salad to serve over
Instructions
- Heat coconut oil over medium heat in large heavy-bottomed pot. Add onions and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until translucent. Add butternut squash and garlic and cook for one more minute, until garlic is fragrant.
- Add tomatoes, vegetable stock, cinnamon, paprika, cumin, allspice, salt and pepper and bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes, until squash is tender and broth has thickened considerably.
- Serve over kale or green salad.
Let me know what you think and don’t forget to add this recipe to your Dinner Recipes Pinterest Board!
Love,
Kimberly
Try to get outdoors and connect with nature whenever you can Beauties. Sending lots of love! 😉
Can I use pumpkin for this recipe instead?
Hi Daniell…absolutely, you can substitute with pumpkin. Let me know how you like it. Sending lots of love! 😉
I made this for dinner tonight and it came out amazing! Another great recipe, Kim! This had the perfect combination of spices and it was so filling!
So glad you enjoyed it Clarisa Ames-Jowers, and thanks for giving it a try! 😉
For the first time in life I tried butternut squash. To be honest, I am not a fan of veggies that are taste sweet, like beet root. However, Kimberly inspired me to eat healthy. So without thinking too much about how it tastes I decided to give this receipe a shot. And I am glad I did.
So happy to hear you are on this new path of eating more veggies. Your body will thank you…lots of love! 😉