Hearty Winter Veggie Pilaf

Warm up your winter evenings with this Hearty Winter Veggie Pilaf, a soul-soothing, one-pot dish packed with vibrant seasonal vegetables and aromatic spices. Featuring tender carrots, parsnips, and butternut squash, this vegetarian recipe is balanced with fluffy, long-grain basmati rice infused with cumin, cinnamon, and turmeric. A finishing touch of fresh baby spinach adds a pop of color and nutrition, while optional garnishes like toasted slivered almonds and chopped parsley elevate the dish with crunch and freshness. Ready in under an hour, this comforting pilaf is perfect as a stand-alone meal or a flavorful side for any cozy dinner. A must-try for those seeking nutritious winter recipes with bold flavors and wholesome ingredients!

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 1 large parsnip, diced
• 1 cup butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 cup long-grain basmati rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons toasted slivered almonds (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the diced carrot, parsnip, and butternut squash to the skillet. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.

Step 5

Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.

Step 6

Add the rice to the skillet and stir to coat each grain in the olive oil and mix it with the vegetables.

Step 7

Sprinkle in the ground cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, salt, and black pepper. Stir to evenly distribute the spices.

Step 8

Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 9

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet or pot with a tight-fitting lid, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes. Avoid opening the lid during this time.

Step 10

After 18-20 minutes, check to make sure the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed. If not, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the skillet from heat and gently fluff the pilaf with a fork.

Step 12

Stir in the baby spinach while the pilaf is still hot, allowing it to wilt slightly.

Step 13

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 14

Garnish with toasted slivered almonds and chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Step 15

Serve warm and enjoy this hearty winter veggie pilaf!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1392.8 grams (1392.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1636

Total Fat 42.50g	54%
Saturated Fat 6.30g	32%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.10g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3618mg	157%
Total Carbohydrate 280.60g	102%
Dietary Fiber 31.40g	112%
Total Sugars 33.10g
Protein 34.80g	70%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 464mg	36%
Iron 13mg	72%
Potassium 3451mg	73%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 23.3%

Protein: 8.5%

Carbs: 68.3%