Butternut Squash, Spinach and Thyme Purée

Author: Karen Biton Cohen for FoodieKid     Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 15 mins     Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 5-6 oz.    Category: Lunch, Dinner      Method for Simple Starters: Steamed    

Spinach is one of those amazing superfoods we should all try to include in our diets, and babies are no exception! This, dark, leafy green comes packed with nutrients and contains twice as much fiber as other greens, which can help digestion in little bellies. But how best to introduce the flavor of spinach to baby without relying on added sweeteners? Our Butternut Squash, Spinach and Thyme Purée recipe is the answer!

Most prepared baby foods try to mask the flavor of spinach by adding in apples or other fruits, but at FoodieKid we like to let veggies shine without the help of added sweeteners. When introducing those veggies that can be challenging for kids, it’s a good idea to present them in a way that doesn’t hide their true flavor so little ones get to know (and like!) them as they really taste.

In this easy to prepare recipe, we use the peeled and chopped butternut squash from our Simple Starters Root Veggie and Squash Pack and add fresh spinach and a sprig of the aromatic herb thyme to enhance the fall flavor profile of this meal. Added bonus: butternut squash contains Vitamin A, a key nutrient that aids in vision and bone growth in developing babies. Combined together, these three simple ingredients produce a healthy and tasty meal that makes spinach more palatable to baby without added sugars. To add a boost of protein, add chicken or some leftover turkey from Thanksgiving!

Ingredients:

Simple Starters Root Veggie & Squash Pack, Butternut Squash: 1 packet

Fresh Thyme Leaves: 1/4 teaspoon 

Baby Spinach Leaves: 1 cup, chopped

*Chicken or Turkey: 1/2 - 1 oz. (optional) 

Instructions:

Fill a 2 quart pot with water 2 inches from the bottom. Once the water boils, place steamer basket inside the pot and fill with butternut squash from packet and thyme leaves. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes of cooking time, add the chopped spinach leaves, cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Allow to cool before serving as finger food or blending. Blend with 2 tablespoons (or more) of cooking liquid until desired consistency is reached.    

If you're looking to add protein to this meal, add 1/2 - 1 oz piece of cooked chicken or turkey (dark meat for more flavor) before blending. We recommend bumping up the thyme amount to ½ teaspoon if adding poultry. If serving as finger food, cut the chicken or turkey to 1/4 inch cubes and serve alongside cooked squash and spinach. If blending for to a smooth puree, add 2-3 tablespoons of cooking liquid before blending.

Find Simple Starters at your neighborhood grocery store or online.