Let’s be real here for a minute.
Peeling and dicing butternut squash may just be the worst kitchen task ever. It takes forever, your hands get that weird film on them, and you can consider yourself very lucky if you finish the task with all ten fingers intact.
However, it is one of my favorite fall treats. I love it roasted and tossed on top of a salad or as a side dish. This version is a fun mix of sweet and spicy that perfectly captures the flavors of fall.
Ingredients
- one large butternut squash
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Peel and cube butternut squash. (Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any personal injuries or anxiety attacks.)
- Dump butternut squash cubes onto a large, rimmed sheet tray.
- In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, syrup, cinnamon, cayenne and salt. Pour over cubed squash and toss with your hands to coat. Spread out squash so that it is in an even layer.
- Bake for 15-30 minutes, stirring halfway through. Cooking time will depend on how crowded your squash is and how big your cubes are. You want the squash to be fork tender (stick a fork in--it comes right back out), but not mushy.
- Enjoy as a side dish or on a leafy green salad.
Verdict: So good! Slightly sweet from the maple syrup, a little kick from the cayenne…and a touch of fall from the cinnamon. Good stuff!
Husband’s take: At the time I’m writing this, he hasn’t tried it yet! He’ll love it though.
Changes I would make: None.
Difficulty: Once you get that darn squash chopped up, easy!
{ 60 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the sweet & spicy combo! What great flavors to add to get my little guy to eat more veggies too! (& me! Ha) Yum!
My daughter INHALED this squash!
Meijer used to sell pre-cut squash cubes in the produce section next to the bags of broccoli and carrots, etc. But I can’t find it anymore.
But you’re right, it’s totally worth the effort of cutting it up. This recipe sounds great. I love roasted squash.
I love the pre-cut stuff but I’m so cheap…some times it is worth it in a pinch though!
I love butternut squash, but I’m with you on the prep of it. I have one that’s been on my kitchen table for over a week b/c I do not feel like peeling it! lol! I think I will do it today! Thanks for the inspiration Rachel!
Oh yeah–mine sit around FOREVER before I get up the energy to tackle them!
YUM! Roasted butternut squash is the BEST! Love the pinch of cayenne too!
Thanks Ali!
Gorgeous photos! I love the maple + cayenne combo. Yum!
Thanks Amanda! I felt like the photos were kind of boring so I’m glad to hear you liked them
Oh man…I always walk by the butternut squash and think “I want to eat you!” but I’m tired out already by the thought of chopping it…
Me too!!!
Is it not a kind of squash that peels well AFTER roasting? I just bought a butternut squash myself, and now I’m feeling a little scared…
You can definitely roast it in the peel and eat it, but that works better for mashes, etc. I wanted the nice little cubes of squash.
So funny – I actually love peeling butternut squash!! My hubby got me the best wide peeler that makes it so easy but maybe I just like it becuase he got it for me.
You’re a strange woman, Liz.
You can come peel squash for me annnnnny time you want.
This sounds sooo good! Great side
Thanks Katrina!
I really hate the prep work of butternut squash too but it’s so worth it! Can’t wait to try this!
It is worth it! Hope you like the recipe
Oh my goodness! Thank you for speaking the truth here! Seriously!! I feel like everyone has a billion butternut recipes and I am always wondering if I’m missing some secret to peeling, and chopping this baby. BAH!!!
Haha!!! It’s the worst.
I am giving this a try this weekend. I love sweet and spicy. The maple syrup is perfect!
Let me know what you think of it!
I feel you about peeling and cutting butternut squash – it is such a pain! When we lived close to a Trader Joe’s, I used to buy the already peeled and diced butternut squash, even though it cost a little more, it was worth it to me!!
I love that you put some spice in there, it’s nice when it’s not just sweet…now if I can gear myself up to peeling and dicing a butternut squash, I will try this out 
This recipe totally makes the peeling worth it! Love this idea of a spicy/sweet combo.
That weird film really grosses me out (which is why we probably don’t eat it as much as we should!). This looks so tasty though and I bet it makes all the effort worth it!
eww, i hate peeling squash too. but this looks so good i just might.
Not sure I have ever dealt with a butternut squash on my own before. Not sure I am looking forward to it either
Sounds amazing though – I just might have to get the prediced squash!
What do you consider a large squash? Can you let me know weight wise?
Hi Mary! Great question. I’d say about two pounds, but really you can’t go wrong. It is a very forgiving recipe.
I agree! And I am embarassed to admit that I have been buying it pre-cut
Nothing wrong with that!!
I love the sweet and spicy combination! This would make a perfect side to our pork chops tonight!
Whole Foods sometimes sells pre-cut butternut squash. I found that out AFTER spending an hour struggling with a squash myself last fall
This recipe looks awesome!
So true! I have heard people recommend baking it for about 10 minutes to soften it before peeling, chopping, etc., but I’ve never tried it. But it has to be better than losing a finger, right? Not sure whether it prevents the weird filmy feeling though
I’m going to try that next time!
It’s recipes like this that are my absolute favorite… easy, flavorful and include butternut squash
I love butternut sqush! And I just bought some fresh maple syrup…yum!
Simple and yummy! I hate cutting squash, too! But we gotta do what we gotta do, huh?!
I just bought some butternut squash, I’ve never cooked it or eaten it either. I will be extra careful when I peel it and chop it! I was going to make soup but now I want to try this!
There’s almost nothing I love more than roasted butternut squash in the fall. I don’t even mind cutting it to be honest. I’d much rather do that than wash my dishes
I bet this makes an AMAZING soup
haha butternut squash is the WORST to cut. Seriously. I was already planning on roasting some tonight, will add the cinnamon and cayenne like your recipe! I haven’t done that before w/the maple, sounds yum!!
I bought the precut @ Costco tonight – organic for less than $4 – so worth it – this recipe rocked!
Awesome–that pre-cut is the way to go! Glad you liked the recipe
found this recipe on interest and making it for dinner tonight. I did switch the maple syrup for honey since that’s what I had on hand.
I bet it was great with honey! Did you like it?
Hi there!!
I’m making this tonight but I just realized I don’t have any cayenne pepper. Can I substitute chili powder or red pepper flakes or maybe hot sauce? Thanks
Sure! Any of those would be good–all a bit different, but worth a try!
We just ate dinner and they were amazing!!! I subbed sriracha hot sauce for the cayenne but added one more tablespoon of syrup cause I was worried they would be too spicy for the munchkins. My kids ate them up and my husband liked them too!! I absolutely loved them I will for sure be making these again!! Thanks for your help!!
Bought an already diced butternut squash at Costco this weekend. I’m going to try this recipe tonight. Can’t wait to try, sounds scrumptious!
Enjoy!
Trying this tomorrow! Instead of cutting and risking my fingers I bought a 2lb tray of cubed butternut squash from Costco!
Love that idea! Peeling is such a pain.
Costco has is for super cheap. 2lbs for less than 4 bucks.
Easy-peasy way to peel butternut squash: slice it into rounds as thick or thin as you wish, then lie each round flat and slice in half. Then it’s as easy to peel as a pineapple – just slice it around the edge to remove the peel.
Great advice, thank you!
Thank you for the recipe! I made it for lunch and it was absolutely delicious! My husband loved it as well. I feel I will be making it very often
Glad you and your husband liked it! Thanks for letting me know