The Easy Way to Roast Butternut Squash: Perfectly Caramelized & Delicious
Discover how to roast a butternut squash effortlessly! Enjoy sweet, caramelized roasted butternut squash halves that elevate any dish. Perfect for sides, salads, and more!
Ingredients
- 1 Butternut squash medium
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- Salt To taste
- Black pepper To taste
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoons Maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature works wonders, allowing butternut squash to roast evenly while developing a golden crust.
- While waiting, grab a sturdy cutting board. Carefully slice butternut squash in half lengthwise. If this proves tricky, take your time. Use a sharp knife, apply steady pressure. Once halved, scoop out seeds using a spoon. Save seeds for roasting later; they make a crunchy snack!
- Drizzle olive oil onto cut sides of squash. This helps achieve glorious caramelization. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, ground cinnamon for warmth. Feeling adventurous? Drizzle a bit of maple syrup for a sweet twist. It adds delightful layers of flavor that dance on taste buds.
- Next, place butternut squash halves, cut sides down, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This simple step prevents sticking, eases cleanup.
- Roast in preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes. When a sweet aroma wafts through your kitchen, that’s your cue! Check for doneness by piercing squash with a fork. You want flesh to feel tender but not mushy. If it needs more time, let it roast another 5-10 minutes.
- Once perfectly caramelized, remove squash from oven. Allow cooling for a few minutes. This waiting period allows flavors to settle. When cool enough to handle, flip halves over. Bright orange flesh looks inviting, ready for culinary creativity.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 266kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 3gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 1174mgPotassium: 908mgFiber: 6gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 26578IUVitamin C: 53mgCalcium: 142mgIron: 2mg
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