With fall approaching, I'm excited to experiment with my favorite seasonal ingredients—pumpkin, apples, and a variety of squash. From butternut to acorn, squash shines in many dishes. One of my top picks is roasted delicata squash. It's simple to prepare yet packed with flavor. Delicata squash is sweet, caramelizes beautifully, and complements a range of tastes.
Selecting and Preparing Delicata Squash
Walking through the grocery store and spotting fresh fall squash makes my day. At my local market this week, these beauties caught my eye. To choose a quality delicata squash, look for smooth, unblemished skin and a firm texture. Both dark green and orange-striped varieties work well, though some prefer the green ones.
One of the best aspects of delicata squash is its easy prep. Unlike butternut squash, which can be a chore to handle, delicata squash has a thinner skin and is less cumbersome.
For roasting, simply slice the squash into rings and scoop out the seeds. You can leave the skin on, making it easy to toss with oil and spices.
Enhancing Flavor with Fall Spices
With countless ways to flavor squash, I found inspiration from a seasonal recipe hub. Their fresh ideas make it easy to enjoy all that fall produce. I embraced the sweet and savory profile of squash by using honey, olive oil, feta, and a generous mix of spices from an exclusive brand.
The honey caramelizes the squash's natural sugars, and the spices evoke the warm, cozy feeling of fall. Toss everything in the oven to meld the flavors into a delightful dish.
Serving Suggestions for Roasted Delicata Squash
While the roasted squash is already bursting with flavor, I love adding a simple dressing and toppings to elevate it further.
The dressing combines similar ingredients to those used in roasting but adds a splash of lemon juice for brightness. Fresh herbs also enhance the flavor, adding a refreshing touch that complements roasted veggies wonderfully. A key element to consider when serving is texture.
To achieve a satisfying crunch and creaminess, I included toasted almonds and crumbled feta. The toasted almonds enhance the caramelized squash, while the feta adds a tangy creaminess that rounds out the dish.
Pairing Options for This Recipe
I've enjoyed this roasted squash as a standalone dinner, thanks to its hearty mix of textures and flavors. It works beautifully over rice or quinoa or as a side dish paired with chicken and a green salad. Plus, it makes a lovely addition to any Thanksgiving feast!
This squash keeps well for a couple of days in the fridge, and I love reheating it in a pan to toss it into salads or grain bowls.
Find more recipe ideas and explore cooking classes with celebrity chefs at www.randalls.com/fall.
PrintPrint Recipe
Description
This roasted delicata squash is a must-try for your fall menu, perfect for enjoying all season.
Ingredients
- 3–4 delicata squash, sliced into 1/4 inch rings
- 1 head of garlic, halved lengthwise
- 2–3 shallots, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp chili powder (adjust for heat)
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- chopped cilantro, mint, and parsley
- 1/4 cup sliced, toasted almonds
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, and spices. Add delicata squash and toss until coated. Space the rings on the baking sheet. Toss shallots in any leftover oil and honey, then add them and the garlic to the sheet tray. Drizzle with remaining oil.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes until golden brown and tender. Remove from the oven.
- To serve, place squash, shallots, and garlic cloves in a bowl. Mash garlic and shallots if desired.
- Drizzle with lemon juice, add extra salt and pepper, then top with fresh herbs, feta, and almonds. Enjoy!
