by Sophia Ruan Gushée

Making breakfast for my children is feeling harder each week. We're all sick of having the same thing. And trying to make it a healthy breakfast is even harder!

One simple recipe that helps is a homemade pie that's so healthy that I serve for breakfast, snacks, and dessert. Made mostly of squash, it's relatively healthy and gives me a break from our routine.

According to the School of Public Health at Harvard, winter squashes are rich in the following nutrients:

• Carotenoids: beta carotene (a precursor to vitamin A), lutein, zeaxanthin
• Protein
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B6
• Fiber
• Magnesium
• Potassium

Ingredients

Pie Filling

• Squash 
• Egg
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cloves

Pie crust
Buy or make two pie crusts

How I make it

I am not good with following recipes, especially ones with precision. My favorite recipes go something like this: "Sauté garlic, herbs, olive oil, and red pepper flakes. Mix with pasta. Salt and pepper to taste. Add grated parmesan."

So, that's how my squash pie recipe will go.

Pie Filling

• Wash squash, cut in half; remove seeds on squash
• Roast squash in the oven for 45-60 min at 350 degrees
• Let roasted squash cool, then scoop into a blender
• Add egg, milk, vanilla extract, spices, maple syrup
• Blend

Pie Crust

Once, I made a paleo pie crust from scratch, and it was great. Plus nutrient-dense.

Most of the time, however, I don't have time to make the crust. Instead, I purchase a ready-made pie crust, like the one below. 

* Please note that I generally make two pies from one winter squash.

If you're making this for the first time, consider playing it "safe" and making it sweet enough that the kids will eat it. If they like it and you think you will make it again, then you can gradually cut down on the sugar. Whenever introducing a new food, I want my children to like it so that we can envelop it into the future meal plan. Over time, I cut down the sugar to as low as I can get away with. Do you have a simple, healthy recipe that your family enjoys? Please share it at [email protected]