Spiced Winter Bowls Fusion

Featured in: Tasty Adventures

Experience a warming bowl filled with roasted butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and red onion tossed in cinnamon, cumin, and smoked paprika. Fluffy quinoa serves as the wholesome base, while creamy ube-coconut purée adds subtle sweetness. A crunchy pistachio-maple crumble infuses extra texture, highlighted by hints of cardamom. Fresh baby greens, juicy pomegranate seeds, and optional feta cheese brighten up the dish, with microgreens as an elegant garnish. This nourishing main can be customized with seasonal vegetables and vegan options to suit every palate, making it a comforting choice for chilly days.

Updated on Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:34:00 GMT
A warm spiced winter bowl topped with roasted veggies and ube-coconut purée.  Save
A warm spiced winter bowl topped with roasted veggies and ube-coconut purée. | lickjoke.com

A cozy, nutrient-rich bowl featuring roasted winter vegetables, warming spices, and creative toppings like pistachio&maple and ube&coconut. Perfect for chilly days and customizable for the season.

This bowl became a winter staple in my kitchen after experimenting with purple ube and crunchy pistachios. Each time, I love trying new toppings for added texture and flavor.

Ingredients

  • Roasted Vegetables: 2 cups butternut squash (peeled and cubed), 2 cups sweet potato (peeled and cubed), 1 red onion (cut into wedges), 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Grain Base: 1 cup quinoa (or brown rice) (rinsed), 2 cups water, 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Ube&Coconut Purée: 1 cup cooked ube (mashed), 1/3 cup coconut milk, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, pinch of salt
  • Pistachio&Maple Crumble: 1/2 cup shelled pistachios (roughly chopped), 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom, pinch of salt
  • Fresh Toppings: 1 cup baby spinach or kale (chopped), 1 small pomegranate (seeds only), 1/3 cup feta cheese (crumbled, optional), microgreens for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Roast Vegetables:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss squash, sweet potato, and onion with olive oil and spices. Spread on baking sheet. Roast 30 to 35 minutes, turning once, until golden and tender.
Prepare Quinoa:
Combine quinoa (or rice) and water with salt. Boil, then cover and simmer 15 to 18 minutes until absorbed. Fluff and set aside.
Make Ube&Coconut Purée:
Blend ube, coconut milk, maple syrup, and salt. Adjust sweetness or milk as needed.
Pistachio&Maple Crumble:
Heat skillet over medium. Stir pistachios, syrup, cardamom, and salt 2 to 3 minutes until sticky and glossy. Spread on parchment to cool.
Assemble Bowls:
Divide quinoa into bowls. Top with roasted vegetables, ube&coconut purée, pistachio&maple crumble, greens, pomegranate seeds, feta and microgreens.
Serve:
Enjoy warm.
Colorful roasted sweet potatoes and butternut squash in a cozy winter bowl recipe.  Save
Colorful roasted sweet potatoes and butternut squash in a cozy winter bowl recipe. | lickjoke.com

I recently made these bowls for a family dinner and everyone built their own, making mealtime fun. Even the picky eaters tried every topping!

Required Tools

Baking sheet, parchment paper, saucepan, mixing bowls, nonstick skillet, blender or food processor

Allergen Information

Recipe contains tree nuts and optional dairy. Check all ingredient labels for gluten or cross-contamination if needed.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 410 calories, 16 g total fat, 59 g carbohydrates, 9 g protein

Delicious winter bowls featuring vibrant vegetables, pistachio-maple crumble, and ube flavor. Save
Delicious winter bowls featuring vibrant vegetables, pistachio-maple crumble, and ube flavor. | lickjoke.com

Serve right away for the best texture, and try seasonal toppings for variety. These bowls make delicious leftovers too.

Recipe Guide

Can I swap the grain base for something else?

Yes, you can substitute quinoa with brown rice, wild rice, or even farro depending on your dietary preference and desired texture.

What can I use if ube is unavailable?

Feel free to use purple sweet potatoes. They have a similar texture and color, blending well with coconut milk and maple syrup.

Is this dish suitable for vegans?

Absolutely. Simply omit the feta cheese or choose a plant-based alternative for a vegan-friendly bowl packed with flavor.

How can I add extra protein?

Roasted chickpeas or lentils make excellent additions, boosting the protein content while complementing the bold flavors.

Which wine pairs well with these flavors?

Try a dry Riesling for a fresh contrast or enjoy spiced chai tea for a cozy, non-alcoholic pairing with warming spices.

Are there any allergy concerns?

The bowl contains pistachios and optional feta cheese. Check labels for gluten and cross-contamination if needed.

Spiced Winter Bowls Fusion

A hearty bowl of winter vegetables, grains, and vibrant toppings for cozy, flavor-packed enjoyment.

Prep duration
25 min
Cook duration
35 min
Complete duration
60 min
Created by Hannah Brooks


Skill level Easy

Heritage Fusion / Seasonal

Output 4 Portions

Nutrition guidelines Meat-free, No gluten

Components

Roasted Vegetables

01 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
02 2 cups sweet potato, peeled and cubed
03 1 red onion, cut into wedges
04 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
07 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Grain Base

01 1 cup quinoa or brown rice, rinsed
02 2 cups water
03 1/2 teaspoon salt

Ube-Coconut Purée

01 1 cup cooked ube (purple yam), mashed
02 1/3 cup coconut milk
03 1 tablespoon maple syrup
04 Pinch of salt

Pistachio-Maple Crumble

01 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
02 1 tablespoon maple syrup
03 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
04 Pinch of salt

Fresh Toppings

01 1 cup baby spinach or chopped kale
02 1 small pomegranate, seeds only
03 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
04 Microgreens, for garnish (optional)

Method

Phase 01

Preheat Oven: Set oven to 400°F (205°C) and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Roast Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine butternut squash, sweet potato, and red onion with olive oil, cinnamon, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Arrange on the baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 30 to 35 minutes, turning once, until vegetables are golden and tender.

Phase 03

Cook Grain Base: While vegetables roast, place quinoa or brown rice, water, and salt into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff grains with a fork and set aside.

Phase 04

Prepare Ube-Coconut Purée: Using a blender or food processor, blend mashed ube, coconut milk, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt until completely smooth. Adjust coconut milk or sweetener according to taste.

Phase 05

Make Pistachio-Maple Crumble: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chopped pistachios, maple syrup, ground cardamom, and salt, stirring constantly for 2 to 3 minutes until pistachios are glossy and sticky. Transfer to parchment paper and allow to cool.

Phase 06

Assemble Bowls: Divide cooked quinoa or rice among four serving bowls. Top each with roasted vegetables, a generous spoonful of ube-coconut purée, a sprinkle of pistachio-maple crumble, chopped greens, pomegranate seeds, and feta cheese if desired. Garnish with microgreens as preferred.

Phase 07

Serve: Present bowls warm and serve immediately.

Tools needed

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Medium saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Nonstick skillet
  • Blender or food processor

Allergy details

Always review ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if unsure.
  • Contains tree nuts (pistachios).
  • Contains dairy (feta cheese, optional).
  • Verify all packaged ingredients for traces of gluten and cross-contamination risks.

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 410
  • Fats: 16 g
  • Carbohydrates: 59 g
  • Proteins: 9 g