Mashed rutabaga and squash with roasted garlic is a paleo and vegan side dish that’s comforting and packed with flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 small winter squash (I used Carnival), halved, seeds scooped out (Or use half a butternut squash)
- 1 head garlic
- 1 large rutabaga, trimmed, peeled, and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, plus extra for roasting
- 1/3-1/2 cup coconut milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- chopped fresh chives, opitional, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Removed the outer skins from the head of garlic, leaving the skin on the individual cloves. Slice off the top so that the upper part of each clove is exposed. Drizzle a little olive oil over the cut part of the cloves, and wrap the head o garlic in tinfoil.
2. Brush a little olive oil on the insides of the cut squash. Place the wrapped garlic and the squash, cut side up, in a baking dish lined with parchment or tinfoil.
3. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the squash is tender when pierced with a fork and the garlic cloves are soft when squeezed. Set aside to cool.
4. While the squash and garlic are roasting, place the cubbed rutabaga in a sauce pan with water to cover. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for 30-40 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain and place in a bowl for your food processor.
5. When the garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze out the cloves and add them to the food processor with the rutabaga. Scoop out the squash flesh and add that too. Add two teaspoons of olive oil and a little salt and pepper, and pulse to combine. Add the coconut milk a little bit at a time, just until the mixture is smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings.
6. If necessary, transfer the mixture to the saucepan and reheat it on low, stirring constantly. Serve hot, with chives on top if desired.
