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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Ignite the oven to 425°F (218°C), positioning the rack in the central section for even heat distribution.
- Slice the butternut squash longitudinally, extracting the inner seeds with a spoon, then meticulously remove the outer skin using a sharp vegetable peeler.
- Massage of olive oil across the squash surfaces, generously sprinkling kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to enhance flavor profiles.
- 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).
- 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.
- After initial roasting, carefully transfer squash to a cutting surface, allowing brief cooling to stabilize texture.
- Strategically place wooden chopsticks alongside each squash half as precision cutting guides, creating elegant thin shingles without completely separating sections.
- Delicately nestle fresh sage leaves between newly created squash shingles, enhancing aromatic complexity.
- Generously drizzle half the prepared maple glaze over the sculpted squash, reapplying salt and pepper to intensify seasoning.
- 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