My brand new cookbook is out on Amazon! It’s called “30-Minute Plant-Based Recipes” and it’s perfect for busy vegans. Grab it now!
Learn the trick to make delicious, roasted Delicata squash fast that’s perfect for fall and winter meals!
When I was grocery shopping last week, I couldn’t help but stop at the squash stand! The stand had all kinds of winter squash on display. It’s that time of the year!
I had just made the butternut squash tacos the week before and was looking for something new. Delicata squash caught my eye. So, here we go! I will show you how to roast this buttery, juicy type of squash in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
How to pick a good Delicata squash
Look for squash that is firm and heavy. A ripe Delicata squash is yellow with lines on its rind. Unripe Delicata squash is green. You will want to pick a ripe one if you’re planning on cooking it that same day or shortly after.
Avoid Delicata squash that has wrinkled skin or has many soft spots.
An average Delicata squash weighs about 1-2 pounds and measures 5-10 inches long.
Preparation and roasting
There’s no need to peel Delicata squash. The skin is edible and becomes soft once roasted.
Make sure to use a large, sharp knife as the Delicata squash is very firm before it’s cooked.
The best way to cut Delicata Squash to cook it fast is to cut it into rings. Not only does it look pleasing, but it also cooks faster this way.
To recap, no peeling + cutting into rings = under 30 mins cooking time.
Once you’ve cut the entire squash into rings, remove the seeds from the center of each ring with a spoon. The seeds should come off easily.
Delicata squash is very flavorful on its own and we will keep the seasoning to a minimum. Toss the Delicata squash rings in olive oil, salt, and pepper and lay them flat on a lined baking sheet. Bake at 400F / 200C for 20 minutes.
Ways to add Delicata squash to meals
- Delicata squash makes a flavorful side dish.
- Stuff it with grains (quinoa, bulgur wheat, farro) and beans.
- Make tacos with it.
- Add it to salads.
- Make grain bowls with it.
Flavor variations
I personally like to keep Delicata squash seasonings simple to let the squash flavor shine. However, if you want to change things up, here’re some seasonings I recommend:
- Fresh basil for a pop of freshness.
- Brown sugar + cinnamon for a cozy, sweet, warm side dish.
- Curry powder to create a deep, earthy flavor.
- Nutmeg for a nutty, subtly sweet, warm flavor.
- Rosemary + sage + thyme to create an earthy and minty taste.
- Dried chili powder for a spicy kick.
- With Vegan Parmesan for a cheesy Italian spin.
Learn the trick to make delicious, roasted Delicata squash fast that’s perfect for fall and winder meals!
- 1 Delicata squash
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
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Preheat oven to 400F / 200C.
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Using a large, sharp knife cut Delicata squash into rings. There is no need to peel the squash.
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Remove the seeds from the center of each ring with a spoon. The seeds should come out easily.
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Toss the Delicata squash rings in olive oil, salt, and pepper and lay them flat on a lined baking sheet. Bake at 400F / 200C for 20 minutes.
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Store in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Information (per serving): Calories: 50 Fat: 2.3 g Saturated fat: 0.3 g Carbohydrates: 0 g Dietary Fiber: 1 g Sugar: 3 g Sodium: 78 mg Protein: 1 g
My brand new cookbook is out on Amazon! It’s called “30-Minute Plant-Based Recipes” and it’s perfect for busy vegans. Grab it now!
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