Roasted Butternut Squash with Grapes, Goat Cheese & Thyme. This might appear fancy, but it’s actually very simple, and the oven does most of the work for you! Elegant, easy, savory and creamy. See below.
The Daily Dichotomies of Motherhood
“Exhausting. Empowered. Inadequate. Fulfilled. Overwhelmed. Amazement. Anxious. Endearing. Guilt. Thankful. Wonder. Vulnerable. Challenging. In love. Scared. Emotional. Wearisome…” These were some of the words used to describe motherhood, in speaking with numerous women about this stage of life. It is truly amazing how many words describe the experience of motherhood, many of which feel like a juxtaposition. How do two opposites co-exist at once within an experience? Well, my friends, they do! And if you are a mom, chances are you know exactly how possible it is.
As mamas, we live in a world of daily dichotomies. Feeling what seem to be conflicting emotions does not impede the validity of them. Nor does feeling one emotion diminish the reality of feeling an emotion that starkly contrasts it. Would the endearing moments mean as much if we never experienced the challenging, exasperating ones that make us want to tear our hair out? It makes those sweet moments shine. It’s all about perspective!
As stated by Mandi Arioto, the President and CEO of Mothers of PreSchoolers International (MOPS), a starry night holds so much awe because it is a mixture of both darkness and light. If the darkness was never present, the light of the stars would fail to be seen. There is an extraordinary fascination with how things can be so different in existing together, and even create something more exquisite because they do.
I think this is innately true about our motherhood moments – dark and difficult at times, with beautiful, shining moments as well. For example, the excruciating pain of giving birth is followed by the incredibly surreal, pinnacle moment, full of light, when that tiny little being is placed in your arms, and nestles up to your chest, seeking comfort and breathing in the scent of you.
At other less “shiny” moments, thoughts emerge, and emotions are evoked that may seem dark to us. In spite of all the awe-inspiring emotions we feel as moms, there lies a melee of self-imposed doubt, and we feel alone in it. Vast numbers of moms express “feeling like a failure,” “ill-equipped,” “defeated,” and “inadequate.” One woman said that motherhood, “is at times, exceptionally lonely, [while] never truly being alone!” Oh the irony!
The more we share the different conflicting feelings and emotions existing in this gloriously complex thing we call motherhood, both the light and dark, the less isolated we will feel. We need each other! I absolutely loved the process of starting this blog, and hearing the vulnerabilities so many women shared with me. It has been truly empowering to see the overlaps in the universal experience of being a mom, in its beauty, struggle, and humanity.
As mamas, we have more in common than not! When we realize this, and pair it with how much we can learn from one another in the existing differences, I’m here to tell you there is so much power and joy in that! I invite you to join with me in this journey we are on as women and mothers, with our imperfect souls that crave to be on fire with the beautiful things this life has to offer in its many forms. Let’s celebrate sharing, cooking, connecting…and may we cherish the season of life that is upon us, looking for the beauty in it, despite however many shades of difficult it may be.
Speaking of cherishing the season, let’s celebrate the flavors of fall in this rustic, roasted dish! I created this recipe last year, and love how easy the roasting process is – the oven does most of the work for you, and frees up your time to connect with your family, finish that load of laundry, or whatever else! This dish is very versatile, and I love that about it too. Throw in some already-made rotisserie chicken for an easy, main meal creation, or use it as a simple and elegant side dish for a holiday dinner. Simple, easy, versatile, savory. Enjoy!
Roasted Butternut Squash with Grapes, Goat Cheese & Thyme Recipe
INGREDIENTS
-1 medium butternut squash, or about 4 cups diced into 1 inch pieces (time saver: purchase a bag of pre-chopped squash).
-1/2 c. whole grapes, slice them lengthwise (for firmer, roasted grapes, wait 15 minutes into the roasting to add them pan when you turn the squash pieces. If you like more “melty” grapes, roast them together from the beginning with the squash).
-1 clove garlic, diced (time-saver: use 1 tsp jarred minced garlic).
-1 large shallot, sliced ¼ in thick
-1 ½ tsp garlic powder
-1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ginger
-1/8 chili powder
-1/8 tsp cumin
-salt & pepper to taste
-3 tbsp olive oil, plus 1 tsp
-crumbled goat cheese
-1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves, sprigs for garnish
Optional: bacon bits, honey-roasted, sliced almonds
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Peel and dice squash into 1 inch pieces or use 4 c. pre-diced squash.
- Slice shallot, and dice garlic (or use jarred diced garlic).
- Mist roasting pan with olive oil or Pam spray.
- Toss squash, shallots and garlic in 3 Tbsp olive oil and coat well (time saver: drizzle the oil straight over the squash. This will also save you washing a bowl, if you are pouring the squash straight from a package. You may want to use a bit more olive oil to make sure they are coated enough to roast).
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Use more salt than pepper, as the salt is what helps bring out the sweetness and flavor of the squash.
- Sprinkle with the spices (time-saver: the amounts listed above are mostly a basic sprinkle, depending on which flavors you like best. If you are a cinnamon fan, add a bit more! If you are familiar with spices, you might not need to measure, and will save you a little bit of time).
- Slice grapes lengthwise, toss in 1 tsp olive oil, dash of salt. (Wait 15 minutes into the roasting to add grapes onto the pan, for grapes that will soften, but still hold a bit of their crispness.)
- Sprinkle with 1 Tbsp, diced fresh thyme leaves.
- Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until soft, and starting to brown on the edges. Turn the squash about half-way through for even roasting. This is a good time to add the grapes in, if you want the crunchier version of roasted grapes.
Garnish with goat cheese and fresh sprigs of thyme for an elegant appeal, and even some bacon bits and/or honey-roasted, almond slices for an extra crunch and flavor dimension. This is a delicious, creamy dish, with a balance of spices, fresh herbs, and a tasty blend of textures. Time to serve and savor!
