Cozy Hasselback Butternut Squash Recipe: A Fall Dinner Wonder

Hasselback butternut squash changes an ordinary vegetable into a stunning culinary centerpiece that begs to be savored.

Its elegant sliced design creates crispy edges while maintaining a tender, melt-in-your-mouth interior.

The technique changes simple ingredients into a visually impressive dish that elevates any meal’s aesthetic appeal.

Intricate cuts allow seasonings and herbs to penetrate deeply, intensifying flavor profiles with each golden-brown layer.

Rich, caramelized surfaces promise a delightful combination of textures that dance between crispness and smooth creaminess.

Seasonal ingredients merge with classic cooking methods to produce a side dish that feels simultaneously sophisticated and comforting.

butternut squash lovers and curious home cooks will find this recipe irresistibly tempting.

Side Dishes That Go with Butternut Squash

• Pair with Hearty Red Wine: Select a robust Pinot Noir or Syrah to complement the rich, caramelized flavors of the roasted butternut squash, cutting through its sweetness with balanced tannins.
• Serve Alongside Nutty Protein: Roasted almonds or toasted pecans provide a delightful crunch and earthy undertone that enhances the squash's maple and sage notes, creating a harmonious texture contrast.
• Match with Creamy Goat Cheese: Crumble tangy, soft goat cheese over the finished dish to add a bright, creamy element that balances the squash's sweetness and provides a luxurious mouthfeel.
• Complement with Herb-Infused Bread: Serve warm, crusty sourdough or rosemary focaccia to soak up the maple glaze and provide a rustic, textural counterpoint to the tender squash shingles.

Flavorful Variations for Roasted Butternut

• Spicy Honey Harvest Squash: Replace maple syrup with local honey, add cayenne pepper for extra heat, and sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds on top for crunch.
• Garlic Herb Mediterranean Style: Incorporate minced garlic, fresh rosemary, and thyme between squash shingles. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and crumble feta cheese before serving.
• Nutty Parmesan Roasted Version: Swap sage leaves with chopped pecans, dust grated parmesan cheese over the squash during final roasting, and finish with a balsamic glaze reduction.
• Coconut Curry Fusion: Brush squash with coconut milk mixed with mild curry powder, garnish with toasted coconut flakes and chopped cilantro after roasting for an exotic flavor profile.

Why Hasselback Butternut Squash Looks So Fancy

• Unleash Stunning Visual Appeal: The hasselback technique creates an eye-catching presentation with perfectly fanned squash shingles that look like a professional chef crafted them, making this dish Instagram-worthy and impressive for dinner guests.
• Flavor Explosion in Every Bite: Maple syrup and red pepper flakes combine for a sweet-spicy glaze that caramelizes beautifully, ensuring each crispy shingle delivers a complex, mouthwatering taste experience that transforms ordinary butternut squash into an extraordinary side dish.
• Foolproof Cooking Method: Using chopsticks as cutting guides makes the intricate hasselback slicing technique simple and foolproof, allowing home cooks of all skill levels to achieve restaurant-quality results without stress or complicated techniques.
• Versatile Seasonal Comfort: This recipe celebrates autumn's bounty with sage and butternut squash, creating a warming side dish perfect for holiday gatherings, weeknight dinners, or when craving a comforting yet sophisticated vegetable preparation.

Ingredients for Hasselback Butternut Squash

Main Ingredients:

Butternut Squash: A hearty winter squash with sweet, nutty flavor and creamy texture that serves as the star of this dish. Look for a squash with smooth, unblemished skin and feels heavy for its size.

Sage Leaves: An aromatic herb with earthy, slightly peppery notes that adds depth and traditional autumn flavor to the roasted squash.

Seasoning Ingredients:

Salt and Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the natural sweetness of the butternut squash and balance the overall flavor profile.

Red Pepper Flakes: A subtle heat component that provides a gentle kick and complexity to the dish.

Liquid and Oil Ingredients:

Olive Oil: A heart-healthy oil that helps create a crispy exterior and aids in even roasting of the butternut squash.

Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that caramelizes during roasting, creating a glossy, rich glaze with deep, complex sweetness.

How to Slice and Roast Butternut Squash

Step 1: Prepare the Squash

Preheat oven to 425°F. Carefully slice butternut squash lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Peel the skin using a vegetable peeler. Brush squash halves with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place cut side down in a baking dish and roast until slightly softened, about 15-20 minutes.

Step 2: Create Maple Glaze

• Maple syrup
• Remaining olive oil
• Red pepper flakes

Step 3: Create Hasselback Design

Allow squash to cool slightly. Place each half between chopsticks to prevent cutting through completely. Slice thin, delicate shingles across the squash surface without cutting all the way through.

Step 4: Add Flavor and Finish Roasting

Gently tuck fresh sage leaves between squash shingles. Drizzle half of maple mixture over the squash. Sprinkle additional salt and pepper. Return to oven and roast, basting with remaining glaze every 15 minutes, until squash becomes tender and edges crisp, approximately 45-60 minutes total.

Tips for Roasting Butternut Squash Evenly

• Select Fresh Squash: Choose a butternut squash with smooth, unblemished skin and no soft spots for the best flavor and texture.
• Master the Hasselback Technique: Use wooden chopsticks as cutting guides to prevent slicing through the squash completely, creating beautiful, evenly spaced shingles.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Tuck fresh sage leaves between the cuts to infuse the squash with an aromatic, earthy essence that complements the maple glaze.
• Control Caramelization: Baste frequently with the maple syrup mixture to ensure even browning and prevent burning while developing rich, deep flavors.
• Achieve Perfect Tenderness: Check the squash's doneness by gently piercing with a fork – it should slide in smoothly without resistance, indicating a perfectly roasted vegetable.

Store and Reheat Butternut Squash Leftovers

• Store Leftovers
• Refrigerate the roasted butternut squash in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool the squash completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or store in a sealed glass container to maintain freshness.
• Reheat Methods
• Oven Reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place squash on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Drizzle extra maple syrup if desired for renewed moisture and flavor.
• Microwave Option: Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, checking to avoid overcooking. Add a tablespoon of water to prevent the squash from becoming tough or rubbery. Stop heating once the squash reaches your preferred temperature.

Hasselback Butternut Squash Delight Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Rich Swedish-inspired Hasselback Butternut Squash Delight brings elegant roasted elegance to autumn tables. Maple-thyme glazed slices create a perfect balance of crispy edges and tender interior that will delight dinner guests and family alike.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Ingredients:

• 1 large butternut squash (about 3 pounds / 1.36 kilograms)
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 6 to 8 fresh sage leaves

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) pure maple syrup
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Garnish and Toppings:

• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
• ¼ cup chopped salted pistachios or salted pepitas
• ¼ cup dried cherries
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley

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Instructions

1. Ignite the oven to 425°F (218°C), positioning the rack in the central section for even heat distribution.
2. Slice the butternut squash longitudinally, extracting the inner seeds with a spoon, then meticulously remove the outer skin using a sharp vegetable peeler.
3. Massage of olive oil across the squash surfaces, generously sprinkling kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to enhance flavor profiles.
4. Position the squash halves with cut sides facing downward in a snug ceramic baking dish, allowing them to roast until edges soften and caramelize slightly (approximately 15-20 minutes).
5. While squash roasts, craft a luminous glaze by whisking maple syrup, remaining olive oil, and a delicate pinch of red pepper flakes in a ceramic mixing bowl.
6. After initial roasting, carefully transfer squash to a cutting surface, allowing brief cooling to stabilize texture.
7. Strategically place wooden chopsticks alongside each squash half as precision cutting guides, creating elegant thin shingles without completely separating sections.
8. Delicately nestle fresh sage leaves between newly created squash shingles, enhancing aromatic complexity.
9. Generously drizzle half the prepared maple glaze over the sculpted squash, reapplying salt and pepper to intensify seasoning.
10. Return the adorned squash to the oven, occasionally basting with remaining glaze until edges crisp and interior becomes fork-tender (roughly 45-60 minutes).

Notes

• Prepare this show-stopping side dish that transforms humble butternut squash into a gourmet masterpiece with minimal kitchen effort.
• Using chopsticks while cutting prevents accidentally slicing through the entire squash, creating beautiful accordion-like presentation that looks professionally prepared.
• Maple syrup and red pepper flakes create a perfect balance of sweet and spicy glaze, elevating the squash’s natural earthy flavors.
• Sage leaves tucked between squash shingles infuse a delicate herbaceous aroma and add sophisticated culinary complexity.
• Roasting at high temperature caramelizes the edges, developing rich, deep golden-brown colors and intensifying the vegetable’s natural sweetness.
• Basting during cooking ensures each slice remains moist and gets coated with the delectable maple-infused glaze.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 80 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Swedish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg