Sweet Butternut Pecan Mash

Inspired by Thanksgiving, I have created a super simple and delicious side dish. This colorful mash is a tasty combination of both sweet potatoes and butternut squash. Sweetened with maple syrup, spiced with lots of cinnamon, and topped with crunchy roasted pecans really seals the deal for your taste buds.  

I hope you enjoy this fun twist on eating good foods.  Family and friend approved!

Sweet Butternut Pecan Mash
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Ingredients:

• 4 small or 3 large sweet potatoes, halved
• 1 butternut squash or 4 cups, cubed
• ​2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1 cup of pecans

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1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 large baking pans with aluminum foil for easy clean up.   
2. Add halved sweet potatoes to one baking sheet, and the cubed butternut squash to another. Drizzle each with 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Roast both butternut squash and sweet potatoes for 30-35 minutes or until soft and tender. 
4. Remove from oven, and let cool for 5 minutes.  Place butternut squash in a large baking dish.  Scoop sweet potato out of the skin and place inside the same dish. 
5. Use a hand-masher to mash both squash and sweet potatoes until it's a soft, mushy consistency. 
6. Add maple syrup, coconut oil, and cinnamon into the mash. Mix altogether with a spatula. 
7. Smooth out your mash mixture with a spatula until the mash is an even flat surface.  Place pecans on top of your mash any way you wish.  Sprinkle a heavy layer all over or make a pecan art piece - :). 
8. Bake mash in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Let cool before serving. 

Serve this healthy sweet mash as a side dish with any dinner or lunch meal!  


          Always craving good food,
                           Jillian