Roasted Squash with Spiced Butter

This delicious recipe is full of anti-inflammatory spices. Spices don’t just enhance flavor — they can also deliver great health benefits. Even in small amounts, some spices can have a significant impact on digestion, inflammation and even cognitive health. They aren’t a substitute for medications suggested by your healthcare provider. Instead, they can be helpful additions to your kitchen pharmacy.

Ingredients

Squash: assorted (such as acorn, kabocha, delicata)
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground coriander
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon pomegranate seeds or 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
Salt
Garnish: pomegranate seeds, ½ cup finely chopped parsley

Instructions

How to Prepare the Spiced Butter
Mix all spices and lime juice into the butter until blended. Variation: finely chopped herbs, garlic or anchovies.

Note: Spiced butter can be made 1 week ahead. Roll into logs, wrap in parchment paper, and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

How to Roast the Squash

1. Preheat oven to 400°F
2. Put 2 baking sheets in the oven
3. Trim ends of acorn and kabocha squash and cut in half through the stem end
4. Scrape out seeds and place squash cut side down on a cutting board (do not peel)
5. Cut halves crosswise into ½ inch slices. If using delicata squash, cut crosswise into ½ inch rings; scrape out seeds
6. Coat the squash with oil and place on the hot baking sheets — it should sizzle
7. Roast until soft (about 20 min)

How to Serve This Dish

Place the hot squash on a serving platter and add slices of the spiced butter or herbed butter. Garnish with pomegranate seeds or chopped cilantro

Benefits:

• Cinnamon, a warming spice, may support blood sugar balance
• Cardamom helps with digestion and digestive ailments
• Cumin and coriander are known to reduce inflammation
• Nutmeg can aid indigestion and strengthen cognitive function
• Pepper is an antimicrobial that can help stimulate taste buds