Butternut Squash Rice Pilaf
Need an easy rice pilaf recipe this autumn? This butternut squash rice pilaf is one to add to the list. It's easy to make with the perfect blend of nutty, sweet, and savory flavors.
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Servings: 4
Calories: 325kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot (peeled and minced; about 2 ounces total)
- 8 ounces butternut squash (cut into small ½-inch cubes; see Note 1)
- ½ cup golden raisins
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 1 teaspoon salt (divided)
- 1 cup RiceSelect Royal Blend (Wild Rice Blend) (or long-grain white rice, see Note 2)
- 2 cups water
- Black pepper to taste
For serving, optional:
- Microgreens or minced parsley
Instructions
Sauté the vegetables:
- Heat 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the shallot and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Add the diced butternut squash and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until it softens around the edges. Add ½ teaspoon salt.
Toast the almonds and rice:
- Add the golden raisins and almonds. Add the rice and cook for 2 minutes, turning occasionally, to lightly toast the rice and almonds. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste.
Simmer the pilaf:
- Add 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes.
To serve:
- Fluff the rice. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with microgreens or freshly minced parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
Note 1: I recommend buying pre-diced butternut squash. Cut the larger cubes into smaller pieces, about ½-inch cubes. Because the pilaf only simmers for 15 minutes, you want to sauté the squash until the edges soften before adding the rice. Otherwise, it may not cook through during the simmering time. You can also use frozen butternut squash or a sweet potato. Simply peel and small-dice the sweet potato and continue with the recipe as-is.
Note 2: The cooking time will vary depending on the rice. I recommend RiceSelect Royal Blend, as it has a short simmer time of 15 minutes. If you want a quick pilaf, use the blend above or a long-grain white rice; both will take 15 minutes to simmer. Other blends may take up to 45 minutes to simmer. Refer to the package instructions for guidance.
Nutrition
Calories: 325kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 595mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin C: 13mg
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