Description
Enjoy the vibrant flavors of roasted squash combined with a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and citrusy notes. This dish pairs the warmth of cinnamon and cayenne with fresh lemon and crunchy toasted hazelnuts, making it a delicious side or vegetarian main.
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash (or your preferred squash), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your preferred heat level)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- ½ cup hazelnuts, roughly chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare Squash: Peel the squash, remove seeds if necessary, and cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Season Squash: In a large bowl, toss the squash cubes with olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the squash in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.
- Roast Squash: Roast for 25–30 minutes, turning halfway through, until the squash is tender and caramelized.
- Add Lemon: Remove from oven and sprinkle lemon zest and juice over the squash. Gently stir to combine.
- Toast Hazelnuts: While the squash roasts, toast hazelnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently for about 5-7 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Combine: Add toasted hazelnuts to the squash and mix carefully.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use pecans or walnuts instead of hazelnuts for a different nutty flavor.
- Swap maple syrup with agave nectar or brown sugar.
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika for an earthier spice profile.
- Toss in some fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary before roasting.
- Include roasted chickpeas or crumbled feta cheese for added texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
