A Nutritional Therapist's Autumn Fibre-Full Recipe: Roasted Squash, Chickpeas & Feta

Meet Carla, she's a Nurse Prescriber, a member of BANT (MBANT) and a CNHC-registered Nutritional Therapist, with 39 years’ experience in the NHS. Combining her extensive clinical background with expertise in nutrition, nutrigenomics and health coaching, she provides personalised, evidence-informed support for health and wellbeing.

Her first recipe in collaboration with Face the Future? Roasted Squash, Chickpeas & Feta...

A sweet, savoury tray bake with cumin warmth, chilli heat and crunchy croutons.

This is a flexible winter tray bake: roast the vegetables and chickpeas until golden, add feta for a salty finish, then scatter over crisp sourdough croutons.

SERVES: 4
PREP: 15 minutes
COOK: 35–40 minutes

You will need

• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into 2 cm pieces
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges
• 1 tin chickpeas, drained, rinsed and dried well
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1½ tsp ground cumin
• ½–1 tsp chilli flakes, to taste
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon, plus a squeeze of juice
• 100 g feta, crumbled
• 2 thick slices of sourdough, torn into rough pieces
• 2 big handfuls rocket or baby spinach
• 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
• Sea salt and black pepper

Method

1. Heat the oven to 200°C fan. Toss the squash, onion and chickpeas with 1½ tbsp olive oil, cumin, chilli flakes, paprika, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Roast for 25 minutes.
2. Toss the bread with the remaining olive oil. Add it to the tray, turn everything gently, then roast for another 10–15 minutes until the squash is tender, the chickpeas crisp at the edges and the bread golden. 
3. Scatter over the feta and pumpkin seeds. Return to the oven for 3 minutes, just to soften the feta. 
4. Fold through rocket or spinach, finish with lemon juice and serve warm. 

What makes this Nourishing

Butternut squash provides carotenoids; chickpeas add plant protein and fibre; pumpkin seeds contribute minerals including zinc; feta adds protein and calcium; olive oil provides unsaturated fat. The variety is the point, this is a balanced, satisfying meal rather than a 'superfood' recipe. 

Discover Carla at The Heart of the Matter Nutrition where she shares all her nutritional advice or book a consultation call with her to learn how she can help you take the first steps towards becoming the best version of yourself.