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    Home > Recipes > Vegetarian

    Squash and Kale Saute with Quinoa

    Published: Sep 12, 2012 · Modified: Apr 19, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 10 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    quinoa and vegetables in a blue and white bowl

    Our CSA boxes these past few weeks have contained an abundance of greens and squash (kabocha squash, to be exact).  Last week it included some of these tiny, sweet carrots, as well.

    a handful of raw carrots

    So when I came across this quick and easy recipe in Real Simple that could easily help me make use of all that beautiful abundance of vegetables, I knew we'd be having it for dinner this week.

    cubed butternut squash on a grey countertop

    The recipe calls for being served with pesto and pecans, both of which I really liked.  (The crunch of the pecans was great.) But that egg on top really makes it a meal.

    a fried egg on top of vegetables in a blue and white bowl

    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Quinoa with Squash, Kale, and Pecans

    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time35 mins
    Servings: 6
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef

    Ingredients

    • 1 cups quinoa, rinsed
    • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
    • 1 lb. vegetables (squash, sweet potato, or carrots), cut into 1-inch pieces
    • kosher salt and black pepper
    • 1 medium red onion, sliced
    • 2 bunches kale (1 ¼ pounds), thick stems removed and leaves cut into bite-size pieces (about 14 cups)

    For topping:

    • 4 poached eggs
    • pesto
    • toasted pecans

    Instructions

    • Cook the quinoa according to the package directions.
    • Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the vegetables, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper and cook, covered, tossing occasionally, until the vegetables begin to brown and soften, 6 to 8 minutes.
    • Add the onion to the pot and cook, tossing occasionally, until the vegetables and onion are tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add as much kale to the pot as will fit and cook, tossing frequently and adding more kale when there is room, until tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
    • Serve the vegetables over the quinoa, top each serving with a poached egg and serve with pesto and pecans on the side.

    Notes

    Adapted from Real Simple.

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    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sofie

      September 13, 2012 at 9:31 pm

      5 stars
      I can't believe I made this out of instinct this morning and had no idea someone had thought it through exactly the same way - that's my packaged lunch for today 🙂 AWESOME!!
      Only difference is I threw in a couple pieces of chopped seasoned gizzard I had in the freezer. Yum!

      Reply
      • Jess

        October 17, 2012 at 10:39 am

        That's so funny, Sofie - great minds think alike. 😉 I had definitely thought it would be good with a protien in the mix, although the egg did the trick for me, there are so many other ways to vary this!

        Reply
    2. Peggy

      September 13, 2012 at 11:19 pm

      This sounds so delicious! And I'm always a sucker for a runny yolk =)

      Reply
      • Jess

        September 14, 2012 at 6:14 pm

        Me too, Peggy - that runny yolk is my favorite!

        Reply
    3. Jennifer Cote

      October 16, 2012 at 11:39 pm

      I love the idea of adding an egg on for protein- it's a great alternative to meat. Looks like a perfect dinner!

      Reply
    4. Kacie Phillips

      October 17, 2012 at 12:20 am

      5 stars
      This caught my eye because I have ALL of these ingredients on hand and they need to be used! I see a delicious dinner for tonight. 🙂 I'll be sharing via SM after I try it!

      Reply
      • Jess

        October 17, 2012 at 10:40 am

        Kacie - thanks so much for sharing the recipe - hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. (Love your site!)

        Reply

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