Sweet Red Pepper "Hummus"

   Football and Hockey season are officially here and that means lots of tailgate parties.  Whooo Hooo! I love parties! So what is something that I would bring to a party? There are a couple of things I can think of.  Kale Krack Salad is always a good hit.  The BLT bites would be pretty freaking awesome.  But so would a veggie platter with Hummus!  Now, I know chick peas are not paleo.  But here's the thing...this isn't made with chick peas! This awesome hummus is made with butternut squash! That's right, butternut squash! I'm excited!

  Now, I know it's not real hummus, but who cares.  I literally can't stop eating this pretend hummus. It's that good.  I will be full but will still take another bite.  That's how good this stuff is. It will become your go to for a party snack tray or something to have on hand as a healthy snack for yourself. My husband, Damon, and I tend to fight over this quite often.  We can't get enough of it. Seriously!

  You need the food processor for this one and if you don't have a food processor...Go Get One! I use mine for tons of things.  It's a great tool for the kitchen and you don't need the most expensive one. I have been using the same cheap old version for at least 12 years now.  There is a part that is broken and I will eventually get a new one, but for now it still works and that's all that matters. 

  Now, back to the hummus.  The hummus has a sweetness to it from the butternut squash and the Harissa.  Harissa is a Moroccan red pepper sauce that is out of this world.  If you like red peppers this is a sauce you need to try, if you haven't already.  If you don't like red peppers then the hummus still tastes great without it, so no worries.  I also add these amazing buttery olives to the hummus. Lucca and Kaine both love the butter olives. They fight

over who can get the last one.  Wow! We really fight about food over here.  That's normal, right?  Never mind, don't answer that. Anyway, enjoy football, hockey or the end of the baseball season (GO CUBS!) with this awesome hummus. 
Happy cooking and eating!

 Sweet Red Pepper "Hummus"

Serves:approx 2 cups

Prep Time:10 minutes

Cook Time:20 minutes

Total Time:30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 small/med cooked butternut squash, peeled and cubed (approx 1 cup)
• 12 Castelvetrano olives, pitted (or your favorite green olive)
• 2 garlic cloves
• 4 TBSP olive oil + 1-2 tsp for butternut squash
• 2 1/2 TBSP Harissa
• 4 TBSP fresh lemon juice
• 3 TBSP tahini
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1/8 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Peel and cut the squash into 1 inch cubes. Lightly coat with olive oil and place on foil lined pan (easy clean up!) in a single layer.  
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes until soft when pierced with a fork. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
4. Chop olives and garlic in food processor. 
5. Add butternut squash and remaining ingredients to food processor and blend until combined.  You may need to scrape the sides a couple of times. 

*This tastes great with or without Harissa. 

*You can serve this slightly warm. I can never wait long enough for the squash to cool and it still tastes amazing.  Or you can place in fridge and serve cold, just give a good stir before serving. Either way it is good!