The Easiest Honey-Roasted Delicata Squash Recipe à la Ina Garten

Delicate slices of Ina Garten honey-roasted delicata squash glisten with a golden, caramelized sheen that promises pure culinary delight.

Autumn’s bounty brings this stunning side dish straight to your table with minimal effort.

The squash natural sweetness merges beautifully with rich honey and warm spices.

Roasting intensifies the vegetable’s creamy texture and nutty undertones.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of crisp edges and tender, melt-in-your-mouth centers.

Simple ingredients dance together to create a restaurant-worthy accompaniment that will impress even the most discerning palates.

This recipe turns an ordinary squash into an extraordinary meal you’ll want to savor again and again.

Step-by-Step for Making Ina Garten’s Honey-Roasted Squash

Honey-Roasted Delicata Squash

• Oven Preparation Cozy warmth fills the kitchen as the oven reaches its perfect temperature, creating an inviting atmosphere for our culinary adventure.
• Squash Transformation Carefully slice the delicata, revealing its golden interior. Each cut transforms the humble vegetable into beautiful, moon-shaped pieces ready to become something magical.
• Flavor Fusion Whisk together a symphony of golden honey, rich olive oil, and aromatic sage. The mixture dances over squash and shallots, coating them in a glistening embrace that promises incredible taste.
• Roasting Magic Spread the seasoned squash across a baking sheet, allowing each piece to caramelize and develop deep, rich flavors. The oven works its enchantment, turning ordinary vegetables into a spectacular side dish.
• Final Touch A delicate sprinkle of fleur de sel adds a luxurious finish, elevating the roasted squash to a culinary masterpiece that sings with flavor and warmth.

Flavor Tips for Ina Garten’s Roasted Delicata with Honey

• Easy Delicata Squash Hacks
• Cut squash pieces uniformly to ensure even roasting and consistent caramelization throughout the dish.
• Swap honey with maple syrup for a different sweet profile that complements the squash's natural earthiness.
• Experiment with rosemary or thyme instead of sage to create subtle flavor variations that match your meal's theme.
• Use a dark or cast-iron baking sheet to enhance caramelization and develop deeper golden-brown edges on the squash pieces.

Serving Suggestions for Ina’s Sweet Roasted Squash

• Pair with Protein Perfection: Serve alongside roasted chicken or grilled pork tenderloin for a complete meal that balances the sweet and savory flavors of the delicata squash.
• Create a Harvest Platter: Arrange the roasted squash on a rustic wooden board with crumbled goat cheese, toasted pecans, and a drizzle of additional honey for a stunning appetizer or side dish.
• Elevate Your Salad Game: Chop the roasted squash and toss into a fall-inspired salad with mixed greens, candied walnuts, and a light vinaigrette to add warmth and depth to your greens.
• Thanksgiving Table Star: Use this dish as a colorful and flavorful addition to your holiday spread, bringing a touch of sweetness and elegance to the traditional side dishes.

Storage Guide for Honey-Roasted Delicata Squash

• Quick Meal Prep Strategy: Slice delicata squash and measure ingredients ahead of time to streamline cooking process.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Chop shallots and prepare honey-oil mixture up to 24 hours in advance, storing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep leftover roasted squash in sealed containers for 3-4 days, ideal for adding to salads, grain bowls, or reheating as a side dish.
• Reheating Recommendation: Warm refrigerated squash in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes to restore crispy edges and maintain delicious caramelized texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Honey-roasted Delicata Squash

• Delicata Squash: Sweet, creamy squash with edible skin that adds gorgeous golden color and tender texture to the dish.
• Shallots: Delicate onion variety that brings subtle sweetness and depth of flavor, complementing the squash perfectly.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base that helps ingredients caramelize and creates a rich, glossy coating.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that creates beautiful golden-brown caramelization and adds luxurious depth.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor and helps draw out natural sweetness of the vegetables.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the roasted dish.
• Fresh Sage: Earthy, aromatic herb that brings warmth and sophisticated herbal notes.

• Fleur de Sel: Delicate, crunchy sea salt that provides a final burst of flavor and elegant texture.

Tools to Roast Ina Garten’s Delicata Squash Just Right

• Sheet Pan: Large, rimmed baking sheet for even roasting and easy cleanup.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious bowl to toss squash with seasoning ingredients.
• Small Cup or Measuring Cup: Perfect for whisking and mixing oil, honey, salt, and pepper.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for cutting delicata squash into even slices.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for preparing ingredients safely.
• Whisk: Small tool to blend honey, oil, and seasonings smoothly.
• Spatula or Tongs: Helpful for turning squash halfway through roasting.

Golden Honey-roasted Delicata Squash Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s honey-roasted delicata squash elevates seasonal produce with simple, elegant flavors. Caramelized edges and sweet-savory notes make this side dish a delightful complement to autumn meals you’ll want to serve again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (900 g) delicata squash, unpeeled
• 4 large shallots, peeled and cut into wedges
• ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
• 2 tbsps (40 g) honey
• 2 tsps kosher salt (or sea salt)
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsps fresh sage, finely chopped
• Fleur de sel (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and heat to 400°F (200°C) for consistent roasting.
2. Squash Preparation: Trim delicata squash ends, halve lengthwise, remove seeds, and slice into ¾-inch crescents. Combine with finely chopped shallots in a spacious mixing bowl.
3. Flavor Infusion: Whisk extra virgin olive oil, golden honey, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and finely chopped sage leaves into a vibrant marinade. Thoroughly coat squash and shallots with this aromatic mixture.
4. Roasting Process: Spread seasoned vegetables in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, ensuring maximum caramelization. Roast for 22-25 minutes, rotating midway to achieve uniform golden-brown coloration and tender texture.
5. Finishing Touch: Extract from oven and garnish with delicate fleur de sel. Serve immediately while warm to showcase the intense, caramelized flavors and preserve the squash’s optimal texture.

Notes

• Slice with Care: Use a sharp knife and steady cutting board to create uniform ¾-inch crescents for even roasting and consistent caramelization.
• Marinate Thoroughly: Ensure every squash piece gets completely coated with the honey-olive oil mixture by gently tossing and using a spatula to distribute flavors evenly.
• Single Layer Strategy: Spread squash pieces without overcrowding to achieve perfect golden-brown edges and prevent steaming, which can make vegetables soggy.
• Salt Finishing Touch: Sprinkle fleur de sel just before serving to enhance the roasted squash’s natural sweetness and add a delicate, crisp texture contrast.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 440 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg