Finding Warmth in Winter with a Butternut Squash Smoothie
Feeling a bit down and dreary during these winter days? Me too! That’s why, one frosty winter morning, while others reached for their steaming coffee cups, I found myself contemplating an unconventional pairing – a robust butternut squash from the farmer’s market that I’d prepped and froze sitting beside my go-to frozen smoothie ingredients. I had frozen it for soups, but I was feeling like a smoothie, and not your typical one, a Winter Spice Breakfast Smoothie. Who says smoothies are just for summer?
I decided to experiment with this one. They don’t call me the Smoothie QueenB for nothing! The challenge: how do you transform a cold drink into a cozy experience? The answer was staring back at me through the crowd of my typical–the berries and bananas– an unexpected marriage of banana, roasted butternut squash and warming spices.
Let me walk you through creating this Winter Spice Breakfast Smoothie, a drink that tastes like liquid pumpkin pie but packs all the nutrients you need to start your day.
Start with your butternut squash. The first step is preparation – you’ll want to give it a thorough wash under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. This simple but essential step ensures you’re working with a clean canvas.
Next comes the cutting. Slice off both ends of the squash, then carefully cut it in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds from the cavity. Now, cut the squash in half and remove the seeds.
My Winter Spice Breakfast Smoothie was coming to life. Here’s where the magic happens: roasting. I recreated the roasting just for you, to help you visualize how delicious the butternut is during the roasting phase.
Place the squash cut side up on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and add a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and caramelize. This step transforms the squash’s natural sugars, creating a depth of flavor you simply can’t achieve with raw vegetables.
Pro tip: I often bulk prep my fruits and vegetables so that I can easily make my smoothies in the morning. It saves me time and ensures I always have healthy ingredients on hand. If you’re not a fan of butternut squash, feel free to swap it out for pumpkin or acorn squash—they’ll add a similar creamy texture and rich flavor to your smoothie!
While your roasted squash cools, prepare your banana. As you can see, you’ll want it nice and ripe – those brown spots mean natural sweetness that will complement the squash perfectly. Slice it up, and it’s ready to join the other ingredients.
To build your smoothie Winter Spice Breakfast Smoothie, combine the cooled roasted squash with your sliced banana for natural sweetness and creamy texture. Add a splash of oat milk (or almond milk) as your liquid base, and a spoonful of almond butter for richness and protein. The warming trio of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg brings those cozy winter vibes, while Medjool dates can add extra sweetness if desired.
This smoothie proves that healthy choices can be both nourishing and comforting, even in winter. The banana provides creaminess, the almond butter adds satisfying protein, and those warming spices don’t just taste good – they’ve been traditionally used to support digestion and circulation during cold months.
Want to take it up a notch? I’ve found that adding smoothie enhancers to my smoothie really transformed the taste from great to exceptional. We could all use some extra ancient herbs and superfoods to give us that extra boost during the darker winter months. Whether you include them or not, you’ll still have a deliciously warming start to your day.
Winter Spice Breakfast Smoothie
A warming winter smoothie that combines seasonal ingredients with nutrient-rich add-ins for a cozy start to your day.
10 minutes Serves 2
Ingredients
Base:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/2 cup roasted butternut squash
- 1 cup oat milk or almond milk
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1-2 pitted Medjool dates (optional)
Enhancements:
I like these smoothie enhancers:
Instructions
- If using fresh butternut squash, roast chunks with a touch of cinnamon until tender (can be done ahead and stored)
- Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender
- Blend until smooth and creamy
- If too thick, add a splash more milk
Tips
- Prep squash in advance to save time
- Freeze banana chunks for a thicker smoothie
- Adjust spices to taste
Pro Tips From My Kitchen to Yours:
- Make this smoothie even creamier by freezing the roasted squash in chunks
- If you’re short on time in the mornings, prepare smoothie packs: portion all ingredients except the milk into freezer bags
- Feel free to swap the butternut squash with pumpkin or sweet potato
- For extra warmth, try using vanilla almond milk
My Winter Spice Breakfast Smoothie recipe has become my morning treat, nourishing and delicious, and a reminder that healthy eating doesn’t mean giving up the foods you love – it just means adapting them to the season. As the snow falls outside my window, I’m grateful for this warm-spiced blend that bridges the gap between comfort and health.
What started as a simple experiment has become my favorite way to greet winter mornings. It’s proof that with a little creativity, we can find warmth in unexpected places – even in a smoothie glass.
