Butternut squash can be a hard sell for some kids unless you make it better. Here’s a version that’s well rounded for flavor, healthy fats, a smidge of protein, and extra phytonutrients that are anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. Be sure you buy organic when buying winter or summer squashes: Data show that squashes are a little too good at pulling chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) out of soil. These are extremely toxic waste products left in soil from gas energy production sites, and they can accumulate in our water supply (drink filtered water) or air, especially near gas, oil or coal production sites (fracking, gas wells, oil wells, coal power plants). For more on the many benefits of butternut squash click here.
1 teaspoonalmond flourflax meal may sub if almond is allergenic
Servings: kid size servings
Instructions
If not already prepared, buy 2 small or 1 large butternut squash. Slice lengthwise and then cut into smaller pieces, leaving rind on. Place on steamer tray in a covered pot and steam til flesh is soft when poked with fork, about 15 minutes. When cool enough to handle, scoop cooked flesh away from rind and store or use as needed.
Melt the ghee with coconut manna and chicken broth. Stir to blend. Do not boil. Remove from heat.
Add cooked squash, with warm melted ingredients and broth together in a food processor, immersion blender, or use a hand mixer. Pulse or blend until smooth. Serve warm.
In the 1990s when my son was little, I made my own dairy-free egg nog so he could enjoy this important holiday treat like anyone else. A non-dairy nog was not sold in stores at the time. Ingredients were limited, and the Paleo and coconut craze had not yet hit. Though we avoided soy as a rule, I made an exception at holiday time to make this nog work, and had some DPP-IV enzymes to help him digest the soy. My Holy Grail was making batches of this for big gatherings, and have nobody blink. I didn’t want anyone to be able to tell the difference between what I made, and traditional nog made with cream.
Now, of course, we’re all over the coconut milk and don’t use soy anymore. And you can buy egg nog made with all sorts of milk substitutes, at just about any supermarket. Some have corn syrup, gooey gums, and starchy thickeners (no thanks). Some are organic and made with cream and cane sugar (better!). But if you really want a nourishing, delicious nog, make it yourself – it’s a bit of a project, but it’s fun. If you’re lucky enough to have fresh full fat raw milk and cream on hand, and it is not an allergen, enjoy that for sure. For this big punchbowl batch, I use sugar and raw eggs. If you would like a less sugary, more Paleo version, click here; for a cooked version, click here.
Get your milks are ready to go: Open the coconut milk cans and mix the milk thoroughly so there are not solid chunks of fat in it. Blend evenly with the almond milk with a blender or mixer. Place all the blended milks in a pitcher in refrigerator.
Separate the yolks, setting the whites in refrigerator. Beat yolks until light in color. Mix the sugars together, and then slowly beat these into the egg yolks, followed by the vanilla flavoring.
(Parents, if you're interested in jacking this recipe up, this is where you add the booze: 2 cups of dark rum, brandy, bourbon, or rye. Slowly drizzle your chosen vice in while continuing to beat the eggs.)
At this point, alcohol or no, cover the nog tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Let stand for an hour so it won't taste overly "eggy".
Once it has sat and chilled for an hour, remove it from fridge and slowly beat in the milks. Refrigerate again for three hours, tightly covered.
When ready to serve, beat the egg whites you set aside earlier until stiff but not dry. Fold these lightly into your other ingredients. Serve sprinkled with freshly grated nutmeg and a dash of pumpkin spice.
For an extra decadent treat (yes, more sugar here), float a pint of non-dairy So Delicious Coconut Milk Frozen Desserts in the punch bowl.
