Winter Squash Muffins with Cranberries

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups white whole-wheat flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups shredded raw winter squash, such as butternut
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cranberries or dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped (optional)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt, regular or Greek
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 small apple, peeled, if desired, and shredded

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups with paper liners and lightly coat with cooking spray. (Alternatively, coat muffin tin with cooking spray and omit liners.)

Pulse oats in a food processor until ground to the texture of breadcrumbs. Transfer to a mixing bowl and whisk in flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, allspice and nutmeg. Stir in squash, cranberries and pecans (if using).

Whisk eggs, yogurt, oil and syrup in another mixing bowl. Stir in apple. Add the squash mixture and fold until evenly moistened. Divide the batter among the muffin cups, filling them almost to the top.
Bake until the muffins are golden brown and the tops spring back when lightly touched, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Make Ahead Tip: Store airtight at room temperature for up to 2 days or individually wrap and freeze for up to 1 month.

Yield: 12 muffins; 161 calories.  (I got 15.)

VERDICT:  These didn't turn out as prettily as the picture--they are oddly greenish, despite not having anything green in them.  They are not bad, though, and they are chock-full of healthy ingredients.  Keep, I suppose.

The best part: I finally broke out the food processor grating disc for the squash, and it was a wonder to behold.  I used it to grate the apple, as well, and threw the cranberries in with the chopping blade while I was at it.  Amazing!