Egg-Free Butternut and Red Cabbage Scramble, the AIP Way

Some mornings call for 3 ingredients and no fuss, and that is a real and reasonable way to eat. This skillet is built for exactly those low-energy mornings, ready in about 30 minutes, mostly hands-off.

It is called a scramble for its shape, not because there is any egg in it. Butternut squash is one of the better sources of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, involved in supporting healthy tissue and steady immune function, and the red cabbage adds vitamin C, fiber, and the deep color of its anthocyanins. This is real, colorful food supporting a body doing repair work.

There is a small grace in cooking something that looks beautiful when you are tired. The squash goes golden, the cabbage turns a vivid magenta, and the green onions land bright on top. Let yourself notice it for a moment before you eat. Presence at the table is part of the care.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 3 cups diced butternut squash
• 3 cups chopped red cabbage
• 1/2 cup green onions
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Swaps made: none beyond the source's own AIP adaptation. The source recipe is already egg-free; despite the word scramble, no eggs were ever used, so no egg omission was needed. Any yellow winter squash, such as pumpkin, kabocha, or acorn, works with the same timing.

Method

• Melt the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the diced squash, chopped cabbage, and salt. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring now and then, until the squash is tender.
• Taste and adjust the salt, then finish with the green onions and serve warm. It pairs well with a compliant protein.

Air fryer variation

Toss the diced squash and chopped cabbage with the coconut oil (melted) and salt, then air fry at 380F, shaking the basket two or three times, until the squash is tender and the cabbage edges crisp, roughly 15 to 18 minutes. Scatter the green onions over at the end. These times are untested for this appliance and vary by model, so check early.

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