Nikki Yelton is an Integrative & Functional Medicine Registered Dietitian Nutritionist serving clients worldwide. She offers a personalized functional medicine approach to helping women with GI distress and autoimmune conditions to get to the root cause of the symptoms holding them back so that they can start living the extraordinary life they dream of with more energy, purpose, and joy!
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Don’t know what to bring to Thanksgiving? This Maple Roasted Butternut Squash & Pecans dish is the perfect Thanksgiving side recipe that always impresses. I can’t wait for you to try it out!
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Can you believe it’s almost Thanksgiving?! If your Thanksgiving menu still feels like it’s missing something, you HAVE to add this dish to the list. This sweet and savory vegetable Thanksgiving side recipe is one of my go-tos that will always impress!
I’m sharing this recipejust in time for your Thanksgiving shopping— Maple Roasted Butternut Squash & Pecans!
The ingredients are rich with autumn flavors and seasonal nutrients. It includes the perfect balance of natural sweetness from the squash, maple, and pecans and savory flavor from the sage, black pepper, and feta.
You could use this as a delicious Thanksgiving side dish during the main course or even as a dessert (yes, it is THAT good)!
And of course, this recipe is not only tasty, but also gut and autoimmune friendly.
Butternut squash is rich in vitamin C and carotenoids like beta-carotene that your body turns into vitamin A. Both of these are powerhouses for your immune system once combined!
Pecansare a great source of fat and fiber, which makes this recipe balanced and prevents blood sugar spikes.
Herbs and spices like sage and cinnamon are full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that support your gut and immune system.
And lastly, feta is a type of cheese that is more easily digestible as it’s made from sheep and goat’s milk rather than conventional cow dairy. Try to find 100% real feta not from a cow.
Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, mix together the maple syrup, oil, cinnamon, sage, salt, and pepper.
Add the butternut squash and mix well. Place the mixture on the prepared baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 10 minutes or until halfway cooked.
Add the pecans to the baking sheet and toss everything together. Bake for another 10 minutes or until the butternut squash is soft and cooked through. Be careful to not to burn the pecans.
Transfer to a serving plate. Top with feta cheese and enjoy!
Notes
Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.
Serving Size: One serving is equal to approximately 1 1/8 cups.
This is the best crowd pleasing veggie side for your Thanksgiving gathering that is so easy to make! If you make this dish, please let me know how you and your family like it! You can comment right at the bottom of this page.
I’m feeling so blessed to be part of your journey! Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving this year.
Here’s to enjoying all of the food and quality time with loved ones. You deserve it!
"When it comes to balancing our body, healing the gut, reversing autoimmunity, and achieving optimal health—we are a lot like a car that won’t run right. In order to fix the problem once and for all instead of relying on jumper cables, we must get underneath the hood, run the diagnostics, and replace the battery so that it runs good as new."
-Nikki Yelton, RD
a note from nikki:
If you are ready to stop wasting precious time, get off the never-ending hamster wheel, and finally surrender trying to figure things out on your own—this is your moment.
You don’t have to settle for just getting by and hoping tomorrow is a better day. We both know you are a woman who deserves better and are made for so. much. more.
are you ready?
Ready to resolve your GI distress, reverse autoimmunity, and live your extraordinary life?
