Description
Homemade roasted butternut squash brings Mediterranean warmth to winter dining tables with golden caramelized edges and rich herbal notes. Mediterranean seasoning and olive oil create a simple side dish you’ll crave with every seasonal meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 medium butternut squash (peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes)
Oils and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) black pepper
Optional Spices and Garnish:
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) ground nutmeg
- Fresh thyme or rosemary (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a roasting environment by heating the oven to 400F (200C), ensuring a perfectly calibrated temperature for caramelization.
- Transform the raw butternut squash by carefully removing its tough exterior skin, extracting the inner seeds, and transforming it into uniform 1-inch cubes with precise knife skills.
- Create a flavor foundation by gently coating the squash cubes with olive oil, then generously seasoning with salt and pepper, with optional warmth from ground cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Strategically distribute the seasoned cubes across a baking sheet, ensuring each piece has adequate breathing room to achieve maximum golden-brown edges and prevent steaming.
- Roast the squash for 25-30 minutes, conducting a midpoint rotation to guarantee even caramelization and tender interior, watching for a rich golden color and soft texture when pierced with a fork.
- Elevate the final presentation by delicately garnishing with fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs, adding an aromatic herb accent before serving the roasted squash piping hot.
Notes
- Swap olive oil with avocado or coconut oil for a different flavor profile and added health benefits.
- Experiment with alternative spices like smoked paprika, cumin, or curry powder to create unique taste variations.
- Cut cubes slightly larger for a softer interior or smaller for crispier edges, depending on personal preference.
- Enhance the dish’s nutritional value by sprinkling toasted pumpkin seeds or chopped nuts on top before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 125 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg