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Smashed butternut squash with pomegranate arils and chives

pomegranate-smashed butternut squash


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5 from 1 review

  • Author: Jackie Newgent
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

If you haven’t tried it yet, pomegranate juice makes a clever culinary liquid, not just a beverage — and it’s delightful in this pomegranate-smashed butternut squash recipe. Serve this up just like you might mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes for a scrumptious change of taste—-and to punch up gorgeousness on your plate.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pound (454 grams) butternut squash cubes (about 3/4-inch cubes)
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) 100% pomegranate juice, like POM Wonderful
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
  • 2 tablespoons pomegranate arils (seeds)


Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C.
  2. Add the butternut squash cubes to 1½-quart-capacity baking dish. (Hint: Buy squash already cubed!) Drizzle with the oil. Toss to coat. Add the pomegranate juice, salt, and pepper. Cover dish well with foil.
  3. Roast in the oven until the squash is fork-tender, about 50 minutes. Carefully remove the foil.
  4. Smash the butternut squash in baking dish with a potato masher. Stir well. Adjust seasoning.
  5. Sprinkle with the chives and pomegranate arils to serve.

Notes

  • Rather than milk, maple syrup, or other mashing liquids, this recipe features pomegranate juice (Hint: An in vitro study at UCLA found that POM Wonderful 100-percent pomegranate juice has more antioxidant potency than red wine, Concord grape juice, or green tea, on average.)
  • To keep the recipe heart-friendly and vegetarian, olive oil rather than butter is used here.
  • Fresh chives and pomegranate arils offer punched up flavor and interest.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Side-dish
  • Method: Roast
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 cup each
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 7g includes 0g added sugars
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 16g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg