Pasta with Winter Squash and Pine Nuts - PCOS-Friendly Recipe
Nutrition per Serving
Ingredients
- 2 tbsps butter
- 4 oz parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh sage
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 lb butternut squash, peeled and shredded
- 0.12 cup pine nuts
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1 tsp sugar
- 12 oz penne pasta
Instructions
- Shred squash. Melt butter in a large skillet, add pine nuts, cook until lightly brown, remove and set aside.
- Add olive oil to pan, sauté garlic for 30 seconds over medium-high heat.
- Add squash and 1 cup of water. Cook until water is absorbed. Add the rest of the water, 1/2 cup at a time stirring occasionally until absorbed each time.
- Stir in sugar, salt and pepper.
- Cook pasta according to package directions omitting salt and fat. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Combine pasta, squash mixture in a large bowl. Add 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, and 3/4 cup parmesan cheese.
- Toss well. Serve sprinkled with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.
- Note: based on recipe from Cooking Light.
How This Recipe Supports PCOS Management
Understanding the nutritional profile of what you eat is a powerful step in managing PCOS. Here is how the key ingredients in this Pasta with Winter Squash and Pine Nuts contribute to your health goals:
- Olive oil: Anti-inflammatory properties make it especially beneficial for PCOS
- Garlic: May help reduce cholesterol levels often elevated in PCOS
PCOS Diet Principles in This Recipe
The PCOS diet focuses on three core principles: reducing inflammation, managing insulin resistance, and supporting hormonal balance. Every recipe in our collection is evaluated against these principles. This recipe excels in providing anti-inflammatory spices that target the chronic inflammation underlying PCOS, and healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that support cell membrane health and hormone synthesis. As part of a balanced PCOS meal plan, we recommend pairing recipes like this with a variety of nutrient-dense foods throughout the week to ensure you are meeting all your micronutrient needs.
Meal Prep Tip: This Pasta with Winter Squash and Pine Nuts can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Meal prepping is one of the most effective strategies for sticking to a PCOS-friendly diet, as it removes the temptation to reach for processed convenience foods when time is short.
PCOS-Friendly Foods in This Recipe
This recipe contains the following foods that may benefit PCOS management: Nuts.
Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity.
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