Chickpea, Squash and Quinoa Pilaf
Fluffy quinoa, sweet squash and chickpeas make a bright, herby pilaf finished with lemon zest and parsley.
Fits Celiac, Hashimoto's, PCOS and 14 more diets
Plan your dinnersGluten checks every recipe for everyone at your table. Free.
Ingredients
- 1 can canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup quinoa, rinsed
- 350 g butternut squash, peeled and cut into small cubes
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1.5 cups water
- ½ lemon, zest and wedges
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Method
- Rinse quinoa until the water runs clear; drain well.
- Simmer quinoa and squash in water until tender and fluffy.20 min timer
- Warm oil; stir garlic, turmeric and cumin until fragrant.1 min timer
- Add chickpeas and spinach; stir until spinach wilts softly.3 min timer
- Set aside the kids' share; fold in lemon zest and parsley.Kids’ plate comes out here
Kids’ plate: Chickpea and squash pilaf
On the plate: Quinoa with soft squash and chickpeas; lemon wedges served alongside.
Make it a game: Make a golden squash patch in the quinoa, then find the chickpeas hiding in it. Add a little lemon when you feel like it.
Set it aside at step 5, before the grown-ups’ sauce or spice goes on.
Why it works
- Celiac disease: Quinoa, chickpeas and fresh vegetables bring the meal together without gluten-containing grains.
- Kid (4–12): Soft squash, familiar chickpeas and fluffy quinoa keep the mild pilaf easy to scoop.
Celiac check: watch for hidden gluten in soy sauce, stock, malt vinegar and seasoning blends, and oats that aren’t certified. Gluten gives food ideas, not medical advice: always check labels for allergens and cross-contact.
Cooking for more than one diet?
Add everyone you cook for, with their allergies, diets and ages. Gluten checks this recipe for each of them and tells you what to change for anyone who can’t eat it as written. It’s free.
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This recipe also fits: Hashimoto's recipes, PCOS recipes, Anti-inflammatory recipes, Pregnancy recipes, Toddlers recipes, Dairy-free recipes, Alpha-gal recipes, Diabetes recipes, High blood pressure recipes, Heart health recipes, Gluten-free recipes, Crohn’s and colitis recipes, High cholesterol recipes, Vegetarian recipes, Vegan recipes, Low-GI recipes, Kid-friendly recipes, One pan recipes, Quick recipes, Gluten-free dairy-free recipes.