If you don’t already, buy yourself a spiralizer!  You can purchase them on Amazon.com or Bed Bath and Beyond stores.  It will change your life, I promise you that! I’m currently taking a Food Science class (which I love!)  I was watching a lecture on grains and flour, the importance and nutrients behind each and instantly got a craving for some ‘pasta’.  Luckily, I had a butternut squash in house, took my spiralizer out and TA DA!  Not only did this take 25 minutes to prep and cook, it satisfied any type of Italian and/or pasta craving I had. Additionally, it has a lot more flavor and is more tasteful than pasta! Win/Win situation all around.  Pictured, I mixed this with chopped kale, shredded brussel sprouts and sauteed onion but you can really mix this with whatever veggies you desire – asparagus, eggplant, peppers, etc.  For protein, I mixed this with shrimp but a runny egg does the trick too!  Enjoy guys!! :p

Ingredients (serves 2-3):

• 1 Medium/Large Size Butternut Squash
• 3 Cups Chopped Kale and Brussel Sprouts
• 1/2 Red Onion (medium size)
• Olive Oil
• Salt/Pepper, if desired
• Optional: Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

Turn oven on 375 degrees.

Peel your butternut squash and cut the trunk (seed area) of the squash off.   You will use the top/thinner area of the squash to spiralize.

Place the squash in the spiralizer and spin away onto a cooking sheet.

Coat the squash with olive oil, salt/pepper and place in the oven.   Bake the squash for 20 minutes.  If you like this more ‘al dente’ then bake for 15-18 minutes.

As the butternut squash is cooking – heat a pan with olive oil and sautee onions until fully caramelized.  Place in a bowel and sautee the chopped kale brussel sprouts until cooked (3 minutes).  Mix the onions in with the kale and set aside.

When the squash is finish, mix together with your veggie mixture and top with whatever protein source of your choice – chicken, steak, shrimp, egg and dig in!!

411 on the benefits of butternut squash: The squash is loaded with dietary fiber making this a heart-friendly food. It provides a significant amount of potassium and Vitamin B6 which are both needed for proper function of bone health, nervous system and immunity. Butternut squash is overall full of vitamins, minerals and a great source of complex carbohydrates.  Enjoy!