Description
Classic cinnamon-spiced butternut squash delight brings warmth from Mediterranean kitchens to dining tables. Home cooks can savor rich flavors and seasonal comfort with simple ingredients and minimal preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- ⅓ cup (50 g) cranberries, halved (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) avocado oil
- 2 tbsps (42 g) honey
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation Sequence: Ignite the oven to 425°F, establishing an optimal roasting environment for the butternut squash.
- Transformation Stage: Cube the butternut squash into uniform 1-2 inch pieces, ensuring consistent texture and caramelization potential.
- Seasoning Technique: Distribute squash cubes across a parchment-lined baking sheet, creating strategic spacing for optimal roasting, then coat thoroughly with avocado oil, salt, and black pepper.
- Roasting Protocol: Position the baking sheet in the preheated oven, roasting for 25-30 minutes until edges turn golden-brown and the interior becomes tender, developing a rich caramelized exterior.
- Glaze Creation: Simultaneously whisk together honey, ground cinnamon, chopped cranberries, and a subtle cayenne pepper accent to craft a vibrant, complex flavor profile.
- Flavor Infusion: Remove roasted squash, generously drizzle the spiced honey mixture, ensuring complete coverage of each cube with the aromatic glaze.
- Final Caramelization: Return glazed squash to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, allowing flavors to intensify and exterior to achieve a perfect caramelized finish without scorching.
Notes
- Precise Cutting Technique: Ensure uniform 1-2 inch cubes for even roasting and consistent caramelization, preventing some pieces from burning while others remain undercooked.
- Oil and Seasoning Strategy: Use avocado oil for high-heat roasting and thoroughly coat each squash cube with salt and pepper to enhance natural flavors and promote crispy edges.
- Spacing Matters: Spread cubes with generous gaps on the baking sheet to allow hot air circulation, guaranteeing crisp exteriors and preventing steaming or soggy results.
- Glaze Application Timing: Add spiced honey mixture near the end of roasting to prevent burning and maximize flavor infusion, creating a perfect balance of caramelization and sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 164
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg