# Squash-Based Side Dishes Alexia Foods Makes Mashed Butternut Squash and Other Easy-to-Serve Sides By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2017-11-04 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mashed-butternut-squash References: [foodbusinessnews.net](http://www.foodbusinessnews.net/Resources/Slideshow/2017/11/New-on-the-shelves-110317/Conagra-Brands.aspx?TipID=5) & [alexiafoods](http://www.alexiafoods.com/premium-vegetable-sides/mashed-butternut-squash-brown-sugar) Conagra Brands’ [Alexia Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-frozen-meals) launched a line of premium vegetable side dishes that are all certified gluten-free and offer healthier alternatives to traditional versions of pilaf, risotto and mashed potatoes. Alongside its new cauliflower-based sides, Alexia Foods is now introducing three new vibrant [butternut-based varieties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/butternut-squash-ravioli): Mashed Butternut Squash, [Butternut Squash Risotto](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organic-risotto) and a Riced Vegetable Pilaf of cauliflower and butternut squash. As butternut squash tends to be naturally sweet, it lends itself well to being paired with other sweet or savory flavors; while the Mashed Butternut Squash is accented with brown sugar, the delicate flavors of the risotto are balanced with sea salt and Parmesan cheese. These vegetable-rich sides offer refreshing new twists on mealtime staples, all the while saving consumers from the task of cutting and peeling. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.5/10 - Popularity: 4% | Activity: 4% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Premium Vegetable Side Dishes:** Opportunity for creating innovative and healthier alternatives to traditional side dishes. - **Gluten-free and Healthier Alternatives:** Potential for disruptive innovation in the gluten-free food industry, catering to health-conscious consumers. - **Vibrant Butternut-based Varieties:** Opening for creative flavor combinations and unique adaptations of butternut squash as a side dish ingredient. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Food Manufacturing:** Possibility to develop and produce premium vegetable side dishes for the market. - **Gluten-free Foods:** Opportunity to expand and diversify the gluten-free food industry with healthier alternatives. - **Meal Solutions:** Potential for offering convenient and innovative mealtime solutions with vegetable-rich side dishes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Savory Butternut Squash Tarts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/butternut-squash-and-caramelized-onion-tart.md) - [Frozen Bulgur Pilaf Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bulgur-pilaf-with-butternut-squash-feta-cheese.md) - [Vegetarian Squash Lasagnas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/butternut-squash-italian-lasagna.md) - [Flavor-Forward Carrot Sides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organic-side-dish-sizzlers.md) - [Savory-Sweet Potato Sides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vanilla-bean-whipped-sweet-potatoes.md) - [Dessert-Inspired Squash Varieties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brle-squash.md) - [Packaged Mashed Potato Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buttery-homestyle-mashed-potatoes.md) - [Frozen Multi-Serving Sides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stouffers-sides.md) - [Flavorful Veggie Side Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegetable-sides.md)