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This easy maple roasted delicata squash is the easiest side dish! Even though it is simple, it is packed with fall flavors and textures. It is vegetarian and gluten free with vegan and dairy free options. It is simple enough for a healthy weeknight dinner, but elegant enough for a dinner party or Thanksgiving table, making it one of the best delicata squash recipes you can have in your recipe box!
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Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Simple goodness- The beauty is in the simplicity of this fall dish. Simple roasted delicata squash with brown butter sage sauce and topped with dried cranberries and chopped pecans for an abundance of flavor and texture. If you like these flavors, check out this Butternut Squash Ravioli with Crispy Sage and Brown Butter.
- Plant Based Side Dish- This dish is vegetarian and gluten free and includes nothing processed. Just whole ingredients.
- Make Ahead- You can roast the delicata squash ahead of time and then warm it and top it with the brown butter sauce right before serving.
Ingredients
How to Choose a Good Delicata Squash
- Color- When choosing a delicata squash, look for a creamy color with green or partly orange stripes. The creamier the squash, the sweeter and riper it will be.
- Weight-Look for a squash that feels heavy for its size. The heavier weight indicates more moisture and means the squash is fresher. Lighter squash means it might be older and drier.
- Skin Toughness- A ripe delicata squash will have a tough skin and no soft spots. If you can't easily pierce the skin with your fingernail, the squash is ripe.
- Size- Look for a squash that is approximately 5-6 inches long with a 3 inch diameter. Having similar sized squash will mean similar size rings, so there is even roasting and consistent caramelization.
How to Cut Delicata Squash for Roasting
There are two very simple ways to cut the squash for roasting. In this recipe I cut it into rings, purely because I think the rings are prettiest, but feel free to cut them into half moons if you prefer!
- Rings- To do this, hold on tightly to one end of the squash. Then, use a sharp knife and cut the end off, and then continue cutting every ยฝ- 1 inch until the squash is cut into rings. Then, use a spoon to scrape the seeds and strings out of every ring. Now you've got Delicata squash rings ready to roast!
- Half Moons- To cut the squash into half moons, use a sharp knife to cut off both ends of the squash. Then use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and strings. Once it is scraped clean, cut it every ยฝ - 1 inch until both halves are cut into half moon shapes. Now they are ready to roast.
How to Roast Delicata Squash
Once you've prepped the squash, place the rings on a parchment lined baking sheet.
In a small bowl combine the olive oil and maple syrup. Mix it together and then drizzle it over the squash. Toss it together so that both sides of all of the delicata squash rings are coated.
Sprinkle a it with a little salt and pepper and then put it into a 400ยฐF oven. Roast for 40 minutes, flipping the squash rings halfway through.
The squash rings are done when they are brown and caramelized.
Brown Butter Sage Sauce
This sauce only takes a few minutes to make, so wait to start it until right after you pull the squash from the oven.
Melt the butter in a sautรฉ pan and once it has completely melted and stopped sizzling, and the butter is starting to brown, add the sage leaves. Let them cook for about 30 seconds-1 minute.
Then remove the pan from the heat and add the cranberries and pecans to the butter sauce and toss to coat.
How to serve this dish
As soon as the butter sauce is made, transfer the squash rings to a serving platter.
Drizzle the sage brown butter sauce and cranberries and pecans over the top.
Serve right away and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
No problem! To make this gluten free and vegan, simply eliminate the butter and use coconut oil, avocado or olive oil but reduce the amount to 1 Tablespoon so that the flavor doesn't overpower the squash, and it is just enough to coat the cranberries and pecans.
Delicata squash has a super smooth, velvety texture and a flavor that has been described as a cross between sweet potato, corn and butternut squash. When roasted, it develops a buttery, caramelized taste with a soft, creamy interior and slightly crisp skin (which is edible unlike most other winter squashes). It goes well with sage and cranberries and pecans and maple- put it all together and you have fall in a single bite!
Yes! One of the many beauties of the delicata squash is that there is no need to peel them. Unlike other squash, the skin on a delicata squash is thin and gets crisp when roasted- almost like a potato skin. It adds delicious texture, and beautiful fall color as well!
More Fall Recipes
- Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Black Lentils- Beautiful fall soup with black and orange colors!
- Butternut Squash Ravioli with Crispy Sage and Brown Butter- A decadent pasta dish with similar flavors to this Delicata squash recipe.
- Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese- Who knew the best mac and cheese would have some veggies snuck in?
- Roasted Delicata Squash Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing- Gorgeous and delicious fall salad.
I hope you love this delicata squash recipe! I would love to hear from you in the comments below. How did you like it? Thank you and thank you for visiting Mollie in Montana~*!โฅ๏ธ
๐ Recipe
Maple Roasted Delicata Squash with Sage Brown Butter, Cranberries and Pecans
Ingredients
- 3 Delicata squash
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 10 sage leaves, chopped
- โ cup dried cranberries
- โ cups pecans, chopped
- ยผ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400โ
- Slice 3 Delicata squash into rings, scraping the seeds and strings from each ring.
- Toss delicata rings with 2 tablespoon maple syrup 2 tablespoon olive oil, and ยผ teaspoon salt.
- Place rings in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 40 minutes, flipping the rings halfway through.
Brown Butter Sauce
- Melt 3 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- When butter is melted add 10 sage leaves, and let them cook for 30 seconds.
- Remove butter and sage from heat and add โ cup dried cranberries and โ cups pecans, chopped.
- Pour the sage brown butter, cranberries and pecans over the top of the delicata squash. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Notes:
- To make this recipe vegan and dairy free, simply eliminate the butter and use coconut or olive oil instead, and reduce the amount to 1 Tablespoon. This will add a slightly different flavor to the recipe, so just use enough oil to toast the sage and coat the cranberries and pecans.
- Feel free to cut the squash into rings, or half moons! See full directions in the post.
- You can change up the toppings if you'd like- for example dried cherries instead of cramberries or walnuts or pine nuts instead of pecans.
- This recipe is delicious reheated. So feel free to make it ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge for up to a day ahead. Reheat in the oven at 300ยฐF for 15-20 minutes.
- You can store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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