Spiced Winter Bowls Fusion

Featured in: Savory Bites

Enjoy a vibrant bowl packed with roasted butternut squash, sweet potato, and red onion, all tossed in warming cinnamon, cumin, and smoked paprika. Served atop quinoa, the dish is elevated with a creamy ube-coconut purée and sweet-spiced pistachio crumble. Finished with fresh greens, pomegranate seeds, and optional feta, this easy-to-make main offers a festive mosaic of flavors, textures, and colors perfect for chilly days. Customization is welcome—swap the grain base, add legumes for extra protein, or adjust toppings to your taste for a nourishing, seasonal meal.

Updated on Tue, 04 Nov 2025 12:26:00 GMT
Cozy spiced winter bowls filled with roasted vegetables and creamy ube-coconut purée.  Save
Cozy spiced winter bowls filled with roasted vegetables and creamy ube-coconut purée. | cravebop.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.

I first tried this bowl recipe during one of the coldest months and found it to be the perfect comforting meal that brings together exciting ingredients in every bite.

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 (purple yam, 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

Prepare the oven:
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roast vegetables:
In a large bowl, toss squash, sweet potato, and red onion with olive oil, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread on the baking sheet in a single layer. Roast for 30–35 minutes, turning once, until golden and tender.
Cook grains:
While vegetables roast, combine quinoa and water in a saucepan with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Make ube&coconut purée:
Blend mashed ube, coconut milk, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Adjust sweetness or coconut milk as desired.
Prepare pistachio&maple crumble:
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add pistachios, maple syrup, cardamom, and salt. Stir constantly for 2–3 minutes until pistachios are sticky and glossy. Spread on parchment to cool.
Assemble bowls:
Divide quinoa into four bowls. Top with roasted vegetables, a generous dollop of ube&coconut purée, a sprinkle of pistachio&maple crumble, chopped greens, pomegranate seeds, and feta if using. Garnish with microgreens.
Enjoy:
Serve warm.
Vibrant spiced winter bowls showcasing sweet potatoes, nuts, and seasonal toppings.  Save
Vibrant spiced winter bowls showcasing sweet potatoes, nuts, and seasonal toppings. | cravebop.com

This dish has become a favorite for cozy family nights. Everyone enjoys mixing their own toppings and adding touches like extra pomegranate seeds.

Required Tools

Baking sheet, parchment paper, medium saucepan, mixing bowls, nonstick skillet, and a blender or food processor for the purée.

Allergen Information

Contains tree nuts (pistachios) and dairy (feta, optional). Always check labels for gluten or cross-contamination if necessary.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 410, Total Fat: 16 g, Carbohydrates: 59 g, Protein: 9 g

Heartwarming spiced winter bowls adorned with colorful veggies and fragrant pistachio crumble. Save
Heartwarming spiced winter bowls adorned with colorful veggies and fragrant pistachio crumble. | cravebop.com

Try these bowls for a satisfying and colorful way to enjoy winter vegetables. Share with friends: they're perfect for making together.

Recipe Guide

What vegetables work best for these bowls?

Butternut squash, sweet potato, and red onion are ideal for roasting as they offer sweetness and texture. Other seasonal roots can be used too.

Can I customize the grain base?

Yes, swap quinoa for brown rice or another whole grain for varied taste and nutrition.

Is there a dairy-free option?

Simply omit feta cheese or use a plant-based alternative for a dairy-free version of the dish.

What is ube-coconut purée?

Ube-coconut purée blends mashed purple yam with coconut milk and maple syrup, adding creamy texture and subtle sweetness.

How can I increase protein content?

Add roasted chickpeas, lentils, or tofu to boost protein and create a heartier meal.

Are there nut-free substitutions?

Omit pistachios or replace them with roasted seeds, such as pumpkin or sunflower, to suit nut-free needs.

Spiced Winter Bowls Fusion

Cozy bowls of roasted winter vegetables, aromatic grains, and creative seasonal toppings for satisfying comfort.

Prep duration
25 min
Cook duration
35 min
Complete duration
60 min
Created by Lindsey Carter

Style Savory Bites

Skill level Easy

Heritage Fusion / Seasonal

Output 4 Portions

Nutrition labels Meat-free, No gluten

What you'll need

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 kale, chopped
02 Seeds from 1 small pomegranate
03 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
04 Microgreens, for garnish (optional)

Method

Phase 01

Prepare for Roasting: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Roast Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine butternut squash, sweet potato, and red onion with olive oil, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss thoroughly and spread evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, turning once, until vegetables are golden and tender.

Phase 03

Cook Grain Base: While vegetables roast, add quinoa and water with 1/2 teaspoon salt to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Fluff thoroughly with a fork and set aside.

Phase 04

Blend Ube-Coconut Purée: In a blender or food processor, combine mashed ube, coconut milk, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust sweetness or milk quantity if desired.

Phase 05

Prepare Pistachio-Maple Crumble: Place chopped pistachios, maple syrup, ground cardamom, and salt in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly for 2 to 3 minutes, until pistachios become sticky and glossy. Transfer to parchment paper to cool.

Phase 06

Assemble Bowl: Divide cooked quinoa evenly among four bowls. Add roasted vegetables, generous spoonfuls of ube-coconut purée, pistachio-maple crumble, chopped greens, pomegranate seeds, and feta if desired. Garnish with microgreens.

Phase 07

Serve: Serve warm for best flavor and texture.

Tools needed

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

Allergy alerts

Always review ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical advice if uncertain.
  • Contains tree nuts (pistachios).
  • Contains dairy (feta cheese, optional).
  • Review all ingredient labels for gluten or cross-contamination risk if required.

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