Butternut Squash and Cilantro Breakfast Hash, the AIP Way

A warm skillet of vegetables, ready in about 35 minutes and asking almost nothing of you once the squash is shredded, is worth keeping in your back pocket for breakfast. It is the kind of small, repeatable dish that makes a real difference on an ordinary morning.

Butternut squash is one of the better sources of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, involved in supporting healthy mucosal tissue, including the gut lining, and steady immune function. The zucchini adds water and fiber, and the cilantro brings a fresh, green finish. This is color and fiber and vitamin A on a plate, supporting a body doing real repair work.

A note on rhythm. Prep your raw ingredients ahead rather than finished meals. Shred a few cups of squash, chop your onion and zucchini, and tuck them into bags in the refrigerator where they keep for 4 or 5 days. Then on a low-energy morning, the cooking itself takes only minutes.

Ingredients

• Olive oil, enough to coat the pan
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 3 cups shredded butternut squash
• Sea salt, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, to finish
• Any AIP-compliant protein on the side (the source shows sugar-free, nightshade-free bacon)

Swaps made: none beyond the source's own AIP adaptation. The dish is already egg-free, which is what makes it elimination-compliant for breakfast.

Method

• Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and soften the chopped onion for about 10 minutes, stirring now and then.
• Add the diced zucchini, shredded squash, and a good pinch of sea salt. Cover and let it simmer on medium-low for about 10 more minutes, until the squash is tender.
• Taste and adjust the salt, finish with fresh cilantro, and serve alongside your protein.

Air fryer variation

For a faster, hands-off version, toss the diced zucchini and shredded squash with a little olive oil and salt and air fry at 380F, shaking the basket once or twice, until tender and lightly browned, roughly 12 to 15 minutes. Soften the onion separately or fold in raw at the end. Times are untested for this appliance and will vary by model, so check early and adjust.

*Adapted from a-squirrel-in-the-kitchen*