Pumpkin Sage 'Alfredo' Sauce With Kale Pesto

Pumpkin Sage 'Alfredo' Sauce With Kale Pesto
3.8 from 10 ratings
If you're a big comfort food lover, it's often hard to find ways to enjoy those creamy dishes without the added calories. This recipe, courtesy of Chef Jeremy “Rock” Smith of Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health made a seriously delicious version of alfredo sauce using either pumpkin or butternut squash.
Servings
6
servings
Pumpkin Alfredo
Ingredients
  • 4 cup pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled and medium diced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onions, small diced
  • 3 teaspoon garlic
  • 1/8 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 2 tablespoon white wine or lemon juice
  • 2 cup vegetable stock
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cup chopped lacinata or curly kale
  • 2 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted
  • zest of 1 lemon & 1 tablespoon of its juice
  • pinch red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon water
Directions
  1. Toss pumpkin & cinnamon in 2 tsp of olive oil. Roast at 350°F for 20 minutes or until tender.Sweat onions and chili flakes in remaining olive oil using a small sauce pan. Once onions are translucent add garlic and cook for 10 seconds. Add squash and cook for 5 minutes on a low flame.Deglaze with white wine and add stock and sage. Simmer for 5 minutes.Puree using stick blender or food processor. Reheat and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Yields 2 cups.
  3. Place kale in a medium sauce pan. Add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Place a lid on the pan and bring to a boil cook kale for 3 minutes while stirring. Remove kale and run under cold water until cooled. Drain through a fine mesh strainer and press out any excess liquid.Place walnuts in a small sauté pan and toast for 3 -5 minutes over low to medium heat until lightly browned and aromatic.Place all ingredients into a small food processor or blender. Mix until almost a puree but still chunky stopping and scraping down sides periodically.