How To Roast Delicata Squash: The Best, Easiest Method
This basic recipe results in the very best roasted delicata squash that's perfectly tender and caramelized.
Serves4 to 6
Prep5 minutes
Cook20 minutes to 25 minutes
Delicata squash is easy to love. It requires minimal prep (no peeling necessary!), it’s surprisingly easy to slice, and its flavor is delightful: nutty and slightly sweet. When roasted, it cooks up tender and golden, ready to be piled onto salads or paired with any seasonal main.
Plus, unlike other winter squash varieties, it’s a manageable size — one delicata generally serves two people. Here’s how to roast it to sweet perfection every time.
Prepping Delicata Squash for Roasting
Roasting delicata squash is far and away the best way to prepare it. Like other varieties of winter squash, the natural sugars in delicata squash are drawn out in the hot oven, which allows for beautiful caramelization as it becomes tender.
As I mentioned above, the skin of delicata squash is so thin that it doesn’t need to be peeled. All you need to do is halve it; scoop out the seeds; slice it into half-moons; toss it with olive oil, salt, and pepper; and roast it for 25 minutes, until it’s cooked through and splotched with golden-brown spots.
How to Serve Roasted Delicata Squash
Since the season for delicata squash is so short (really only from September through December), I love to celebrate its flavor by enjoying it simply with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. However, it’s also a blank slate in case you’re looking to play around.
Flavor boosters such spicy harissa and miso, a showering of Parmesan cheese, and even bacon can add intrigue and instantly jazz it up. However you flavor it, serve the squash as is as a side, or add it to salads, grain bowls, or pasta.
Get these dressed up recipes here: 5 Ridiculously Easy Roasted Delicata Squash Recipes
How to Roast Delicata Squash
This basic recipe results in the very best roasted delicata squash that's perfectly tender and caramelized.
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 20 minutes to 25 minutes
Serves4 to 6
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 2
medium delicata squash (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
- 2 tablespoons
olive oil
- 1 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon
freshly ground black pepper
Equipment
Instructions
Heat the oven. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 425°F.
Prep and cut delicata squash. Trim ends off 2 medium delicata squash. Cut in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and pulp. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick half moons.
Toss the squash with oil. Place the squash on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and toss to coat. Arrange the squash in a single layer.
Roast the squash. Roast until lightly browned on the bottom, about 10 minutes. Use a thin spatula to flip the squash. Roast until the squash is tender and caramelized, 10 to 15 minutes more.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
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