Pin It A cozy, nutrient-rich bowl featuring roasted winter vegetables, warming spices, and creative toppings like pistachio-maple and ube-coconut. Perfect for chilly days and customizable for the season.
I first fell in love with these spiced winter bowls while experimenting with ways to add excitement to cold weather meals. They have quickly become a staple during family dinners whenever we crave comfort packed with wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
- Roasted Vegetables: 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed, 2 cups sweet potato, peeled and cubed, 1 red onion, cut into wedges, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Grain Base: 1 cup quinoa (or brown rice), rinsed, 2 cups water, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Ube-Coconut Purée: 1 cup cooked ube (purple yam), mashed, 1/3 cup coconut milk, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, Pinch of salt
- Pistachio-Maple Crumble: 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom, Pinch of salt
- Fresh Toppings: 1 cup baby spinach or kale, chopped, 1 small pomegranate, seeds only, 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional), Microgreens, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Roasting the Vegetables:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, toss squash, sweet potato, and red onion with olive oil, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread on baking sheet and roast for 30–35 minutes, turning once, until golden and tender.
- Cooking the Grain Base:
- While vegetables roast, place quinoa and water in saucepan with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover, simmer 15–18 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff with fork and set aside.
- Making the Ube-Coconut Purée:
- Blend mashed ube, coconut milk, maple syrup, and pinch of salt until smooth. Adjust sweetness or coconut milk for desired consistency.
- Preparing the Pistachio-Maple Crumble:
- Heat nonstick skillet over medium. Add pistachios, maple syrup, cardamom, and pinch of salt. Stir for 2–3 minutes until pistachios are sticky and glossy. Spread on parchment to cool.
- Assembly:
- Divide quinoa among four bowls. Top with roasted vegetables, generous dollop of ube-coconut purée, sprinkle of pistachio-maple crumble, chopped greens, pomegranate seeds, and feta if using. Garnish with microgreens.
- Serving:
- Serve bowls warm.
Pin It These bowls brought the family together on a snowy night, with everyone choosing their favorite toppings and going back for seconds. Even picky eaters enjoyed the colorful layers and hidden sweetness from the roasted vegetables and fruity pomegranate.
Required Tools
Baking sheet, parchment paper, medium saucepan, mixing bowls, nonstick skillet, blender or food processor for purée.
Allergen Information
Contains tree nuts (pistachios) and dairy (feta cheese, optional). Always check packaging for gluten or cross-contamination.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 410 calories, 16 g total fat, 59 g carbohydrates, 9 g protein.
Pin It These spiced winter bowls are a beautiful way to enjoy the season's best produce. Let everyone create their own bowl for a fun dinner experience!
Recipe FAQs
- → What vegetables are featured in the bowl?
The bowl highlights roasted butternut squash, sweet potato, and red onion seasoned with spices for extra warmth.
- → Can I make this vegan?
Simply omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based option to make the dish entirely vegan.
- → Is there a grain base?
Yes, the bowls are built on a base of cooked quinoa or brown rice, depending on your preference.
- → What makes the topping unique?
Pistachio-maple crumble delivers a crunchy, nutty accent with hints of cardamom, while the ube-coconut purée adds creamy sweetness.
- → How can I customize the bowls?
Change ingredients for seasonality, add roasted chickpeas or lentils for protein, and adapt the toppings to taste.
- → Are there suggested pairings?
These bowls pair well with dry Riesling for brightness or spiced chai tea for extra coziness.