Description
Roasted butternut squash by Ina Garten offers a delightful autumn side dish with caramelized edges and rich flavor. Olive oil, salt, and pepper create a simple yet elegant preparation that elevates this seasonal vegetable for you to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil, good quality
- 1 large butternut squash (4 pounds/1.8 kg), peeled, seeded, and diced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon thyme leaves, fresh and minced
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Position the oven rack centrally and warm to 400°F / 200°C, creating an ideal roasting environment for the butternut squash.
- Cube Transformation: Skillfully slice the butternut squash into precise, uniform 1-inch cubes to guarantee consistent cooking and visual appeal.
- Seasoning Ritual: Meticulously spread the cubes on a spacious baking sheet, drizzling extra virgin olive oil to coat each piece. Sprinkle thyme leaves, kosher salt, and black pepper, massaging the seasonings thoroughly to ensure comprehensive flavor infusion.
- Strategic Arrangement: Position the seasoned cubes in a single, uncrowded layer, allowing maximum heat exposure and preventing moisture-induced steaming.
- Roasting Performance: Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven, roasting for 25-30 minutes. Midway through, rotate the sheet to promote even caramelization and prevent potential scorching.
- Doneness Verification: Test the squash cubes with a fork – they should tender effortlessly and showcase a rich, golden-brown exterior with crisp, enticing edges.
- Resting Phase: Withdraw from the oven and allow 2-3 minutes of rest, permitting residual heat to finalize the cooking process and concentrate the squash’s natural sweetness.
Notes
- Cube Consistency Matters: Cut squash into uniform 1-inch pieces to guarantee even cooking and prevent some chunks from burning while others remain undercooked.
- Oil Distribution Technique: Massage olive oil thoroughly to create a complete, light coating that helps achieve golden caramelization and enhances natural squash sweetness.
- Spacing Is Critical: Spread cubes in a single layer with deliberate gaps between pieces, preventing steaming and ensuring each piece develops crispy, roasted edges.
- Seasoning Strategy: Use hands to evenly distribute thyme, salt, and pepper, ensuring every cube receives maximum flavor penetration and balanced taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg