Candied Squash with Espresso Hazelnuts & Goat Cheese
You might think this is nuts but this candied squash is literally my new 'go-to' during ‘that time of the month’. YES, a squash is filling the void for chocolate layer cake. BUT HOW?!
I grew up under the impression that it was normal to want and have Ben & Jerry’s and Mrs. Fields around your cycle. What we resist, persists, right? It wasn’t until ovarian cysts, migraine tantrums, and debilitating cramps pushed me to lean on my nutrition background and bridge the gap into women's endocrinology (hormones).
There’s no shame or judgment here but did you know we have not one, not two, or three BUT FOUR shifting hormone cycles per month! (Menstruation, ovulation, luteal, and follicular; Woof!) I used to curse myself for being “weak” and cramming chocolate down my gullet every few weeks. I felt like a Jacqueline Hyde-Halloween -werewolf. The cravings and cramps were so bad that I actually feared ‘that time of the month’ because I felt I had NO control.
The more I researched and practiced balancing my hormones holistically through diet, exercise and lifestyle, the more I became an evangelist. *Sidenote: It didn't happen overnight*
A couple months back my Sister served a roasted chicken dinner with roasted squash (very similar to this recipe) and like a linebacker, I apologized to the table and pulled the, “Is anyone gonna finish this?”. I ate the entire large bowl. (I truly am the son my Mom never had). It satisfied me and when it came time for dessert, I didn’t want any…. Everyone was shocked, including me.
I tested it again a month later, around that “scary” time. This time, I used cacao on crunchy hazelnuts, as magnesium lowers inflammation. IT WAS A HOMERUN! My cramps and cravings were squashed (very lame pun intended). If you don’t LOVE this candied squash with crunchy espresso hazelnuts, I’ll be speechless. Luckily you can have have a larger portion than any whopping piece of cake or ice-cream sundae and you will be FULL, SATISFIED and better (not sick as with prior rituals). You'll love this dish and it'll love you right back.
Bon appetite!
P.S. If you’d like to learn more about women's cycles and holistic treatments, check out Alyssa Vitti’s brilliant book “The Woman Code” (available on audible).
Candied Squash:
- Butternut (or Acorn) Squash
- Up to 3 TBS Avocado Oil (don’t want EVOO flavor
- Up to 3 TBS Sprinkle of Maple Balsamic (Pomegranate molasses also works:)
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- Season with good salt
- Peal, cube and toss and roast on convection 450 for 20 mins then drop to 350F for up to 50 mins until glazed and fork tender CHECK ON Squash- different ovens yield different results
Nuts:
- 1/3C Filberts (skinned hazelnuts)
- ½ TBS Honey
- 1 tsp cacao (* optional: + sprinkle of espresso powder)
- Toss together and bake at 300 for up to 15M - CHECK ON NUTS - different ovens yield different results
Plate:
Spoon squash and sprinkle with nuts and goat cheese (sounds odd but you’ll be thanking me)
ENJOY!!!!!