Roasted Honeynut Squash Recipe

Warm up your kitchen with this sweet and creamy roasted honeynut squash recipe. Perfect for fall dinners. Learn more about this mini orange new vegetable you can find at your local farmer's market or grocery stores. Roasting this winter squash brings out its natural sweetness. Let us know in the comments below if you have tried Honeynut Squash. We would love to hear your thoughts.

Honeynut squash is a fairly new squash. This variety is a mix between a buttercup squash and a butternut squash, this looks like a mini butternut squash on the outside. The inside is dark orange, it has a sweeter flavor than butternut squash and is creamier when cooked. It's a cute personal-size squash which is one of the things we love about it!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Roasting is our favorite way to cook a variety of vegetables. It is easy to prepare, and the squash becomes beautifully caramelized when roasted in the oven.

You can highlight the natural flavors and keep it simple with just oil, salt and pepper. You can dress it up with a variety of herbs, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. Or you can make it even sweeter by adding brown sugar and maple syrup. See below for all of our suggestions. 

This makes a great side dish for any meal and will suit a variety of tastes. Its sweet flavor and creamy texture perfectly complement your preferred protein.

Ingredients 

• Honeynut Squash. These mini gems will feed just 1-2 people, so if you're cooking for larger group, make sure to grab enough. 
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Good oil helps the squash roast and caramelize. 
• Salt. We like to use sea salt or kosher salt. Enhances the natural flavors. 
• Black Pepper. We prefer freshly ground for it's vibrant flavor. 

How to Make Roasted Honeynut Squash 

1. Step 1: Use a sharp knife and a cutting board to cut the stem off the honeynut squash, slice it in half vertically, and scoop out the seeds. 

2. Step 2: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drizzle the cut side with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 

3. Step 3: Place the squash cut side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 

4. Step 4: Bake in the oven until soft and fork tender. 

Substitutions and Variations 

We love this simple recipe for highlighting the natural sweetness of a honeynut squash. You can serve it as is, add a combination of herbs and spices, top with nuts and dried fruits, or serve with a sauce. Some ideas: 

Pomegranate and pistachios
Hazelnuts and chopped fresh parsley
Olive oil and dried herbs (rosemary and thyme)
Spice mixture: garlic, onion, oregano and paprika 
Balsamic glaze and walnuts or candied pecans
On a bed of labneh
On a bed of cashew cream

Recipe Tips

When purchasing winter squash, look for skin that is smooth and deep orange. Avoid any squash with green on the skin as this is a sign it is underripe or with soft spots. 

Honeynut squash varies in size, and a single squash will make only enough for 1-2 people. Make sure to pick several of similar size so they cook evenly. 

The skin of the honeynut squash is edible, just wash it well before roasting.

Squash is finished roasting when the flesh is caramelized and soft. You can check by gently pressing on the skin or poking with a fork to check for tenderness. 

Storage and Reheating 

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven for 10 minutes. 

Try These Other Delicious Winter Squash Recipes

• Roasted Butternut Squash Savory Galette
• Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe
• Kabocha Squash With Harissa Chickpeas
• Tex-Mex Spaghetti Squash Bake
• Protein-Rich Carnival Squash Recipe
• Hasselback Roasted Butternut Squash
• Roasted Pumpkin with cinnamon ginger, Maple Syrup, and Brown Sugar