Description
Roasted Honeynut Squash is a cozy fall side dish featuring sweet, caramelized honeynut squash enhanced with rosemary-thyme herb butter, toasted pecans, and a drizzle of maple syrup. This recipe delivers warm, nutty flavors and a perfect balance of savory and sweet, ideal for weeknights or festive holiday tables.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 honeynut squash
- 5 tbsp salted butter (divided)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- Grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for roasting the squash.
- Prepare Squash: Slice the honeynut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds to create a cavity for roasting.
- Butter and Season: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and drizzle evenly over both sides of the squash halves. Then sprinkle with salt and pepper to season.
- Initial Roast: Place the squash halves flesh-side down on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 20 minutes to soften and caramelize.
- Make Herb Butter: While the squash is roasting, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over low heat. Add the finely chopped rosemary and thyme and cook for a couple of minutes to infuse flavors. Remove from heat and stir in minced garlic.
- Flip and Garnish: Remove the squash from the oven, turn them flesh-side up, then drizzle with maple syrup and sprinkle chopped pecans on top. Return to the oven and roast for an additional 10 minutes to toast the pecans and brown the squash.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the squash from the oven and spoon the warm herb butter over the squash. Finish with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese and an optional additional drizzle of maple syrup for extra sweetness before serving.
Notes
- This dish is naturally sweet and full of warm, nutty flavor, making it a perfect cozy fall side.
- Ensure the pecans are evenly spread over the squash before the final roasting to achieve a toasted texture.
- Maple syrup can be adjusted to taste depending on desired sweetness.
- Grated parmesan adds a savory contrast but can be omitted for a vegetarian or vegan version by substituting with nutritional yeast.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor infusion.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 142 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 270 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
