Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash – Slender Kitchen

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash is my go-to facet dish every time I am craving one thing nutritious but candy. Roasting the butternut squash brings out the pure sweetness of the squash and offers it these irresistibly caramelized edges!

The one tough a part of making butternut squash is the prep work, however I’ve a straightforward hack beneath to assist make that half simpler. (Trace: It includes a fast journey to the microwave that may make it a lot simpler to peel and chop.) In case you are pressed for time, skip the prep work and simply purchase chopped butternut squash. Most grocery shops carry it with the contemporary produce.

The opposite factor I really like about roasting butternut squash is that the leftovers are wonderful. I like to throw them in my morning eggs and lunchtime salads or use them for fast veggie tacos at evening. In truth, I really like these leftovers a lot that I all the time make a double or triple batch every time I roast butternut squash.

Love butternut squash as a lot as I do? Listed below are another scrumptious methods to make it – Roasted Whole Butternut Squash, Butternut Squash Fries, and Grilled Butternut Squash!

Why You may Love This Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe

You gained’t have the ability to get sufficient of this recipe! Right here’s why:

• Straightforward: You solely want a couple of easy substances and a bit of time to create this mouth-watering facet dish!
• Cozy: Cinnamon and nutmeg give this facet dish a heat, fall taste that pairs completely with the pure sweetness of the squash.
• Versatile: You’ll be able to take pleasure in this dish as is or costume it up with numerous toppings for a singular spin!

Components and Substitutions

You solely want a couple of fundamental substances to get began.

• Butternut squash: Search for a decent-sized squash, round 2-5 lbs.
• Olive oil: That is tossed in with the butternut squash so as to add taste and get the skin good and crispy.
• Spices: I exploit a bit of cinnamon and nutmeg so as to add heat to the squash!

Methods to Choose the Excellent Butternut Squash

Right here are some things to search for when selecting the right butternut squash:

• Go for Firmness: Choose up the squash and provides it a bit of squeeze. You need it to really feel strong and agency throughout. Gentle spots imply it could be overripe or beginning to spoil.
• Test the Colour: Search for a matte, deep beige coloration—vivid orange or shiny pores and skin can imply it is underripe. The matte end tells you it is able to be loved!
• Really feel the Weight: A superb butternut squash ought to really feel heavy for its measurement. If it feels a bit of lighter than anticipated, it could be dry inside.
• Clean Pores and skin is Finest: Keep away from squash with cuts, wrinkles, or bruises. Clean, unblemished pores and skin retains it brisker longer and indicators good high quality.
• Small Neck, Massive Stomach: A small neck with a spherical, full backside is good for getting probably the most flesh out of your squash, which means extra to prepare dinner with and fewer seeds.

Would this recipe work with a special sort of squash or vegetable?

Sure! Be at liberty to cube up some acorn squash, spaghetti squash, delicata squash, pumpkin, and even candy potatoes for a barely completely different taste.

Methods to Roast Butternut Squash

There are just a few easy steps to make this facet dish!

Begin by preheating the oven to 400 levels. Peel the squash and chop it into small 1-inch items. It’s also possible to purchase chopped butternut squash to save lots of on prep time. Then toss the squash with olive oil, spices, salt, and pepper. Unfold out in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 25-35 minutes till tender and caramelized.

Professional tip: One of the vital widespread errors when roasting greens is overcrowding the pan. Ensure that to put the squash in a single layer with some house to breathe. That ensures that the squash caramelizes and roasts as an alternative of steaming.

Recipe Concepts and Ideas

There are such a lot of methods to customise this recipe in the case of the flavour profile, form, and serving concepts.

• Oil: Swap in coconut oil for olive oil so as to add a barely nutty taste to the squash. It’s also possible to use avocado oil for a extra impartial taste.
• Maple syrup: Add a drizzle of maple syrup earlier than serving to sweeten up this dish.
• Crunch: Add some roasted or glazed walnuts or pecans to the dish for crunch. It is a wonderful means to boost the dish for the vacations.
• Colour: Add coloration and tartness with pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries.
• Herbs: Add contemporary herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage so as to add a contemporary notice.
• Spices: Add complimentary spices like turmeric, cumin, allspice, or mace to pack in much more taste.
• Brown sugar: For a sweeter possibility, toss the squash with some brown sugar earlier than roasting.
• Savory: Add a savory notice with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
• Slice it: As a substitute of chopping the squash into small items, lower it into slices for a special presentation.
• Line the pan: Line the sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper so you’ve ZERO dishes to scrub!
• Cubes: Ensure that to chop the squash into uniform cubes so that they prepare dinner evenly.

Methods to peel and chop butternut squash?

One of the best ways to peel butternut squash is to begin by poking the squash throughout with a fork. Then microwave it for 2-3 minutes. This loosens the pores and skin, making it a lot simpler to peel.

After getting peeled the squash, lower it in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Then, chop it into smaller items. Ensure that to make use of a pointy knife since butternut squash is tough.

Storage and Reheating

Earlier than storing your butternut squash, you wish to make sure that it is utterly cooled earlier than transferring it to the fridge or freezer.

• Retailer: Retailer leftover butternut squash in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3-5 days. It’s also possible to retailer it within the freezer for as much as 3 months. I like to recommend flash-freezing the squash cubes on a baking sheet first after which transferring them to a container or freezer-safe bag.
• Reheat: Flip the oven to 350 levels, place the leftover squash on a baking sheet, and reheat for a minimum of quarter-hour or till the squash is heat.

Leftover Concepts

A few of my favourite leftovers begin with a container of roasted greens.

• Salad: Make a salad with roasted butternut squash, greens, goat cheese, and chopped apples. It’s also possible to trythis Butternut Squash, Quinoa, and Pomegranate Salad or Salmon, Butternut Squash, and Avocado Salad.
• Breakfast: Toss some butternut squash into your morning egg scramble and make a Butternut Squash Breakfast Casserole or throw it in a quiche or frittata.
• Bowl: Make a grain bowl with the squash, brown rice or farro, arugula, and your favourite dressing or cheese. Add some protein to the salad, like Rosemary Chicken!
• Soup: Add it to your favourite ready soup, like Turkey and Butternut Squash Chili, so as to add some contemporary flavors.
• Tacos: Seize some corn tortillas, black beans, and your roasted butternut squash for a straightforward Butternut Squash Taco.