Delicata squash is one of my favorite winter squashes. Have you tried it yet?
It’s a pretty, cylindrical squash with green and orange stripes that roasts beautifully.
Three Reasons Why I Love Delicata Squash
1. It’s Super Tasty – Delicata hits the sweet spot: not too dry, not too soft, mildly sweet and easy to dress up with spices. It pairs well with both savory and sweet seasonings. Try these ideas:
- salt and pepper
- Cajun seasoning
- Italian seasoning
- chili lime seasoning
- taco seasoning
- cumin and coriander
- fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage or oregano
- paprika, cinnamon, ginger and cloves
- Parmesan or nutritional yeast with herbs
- brown sugar with cinnamon and ginger
- maple syrup and butter
2. It Has Edible Skin – The rind is thin and tender, so you can eat it. No peeling required, which saves time and keeps the slices attractive on the plate.
3. It’s Easy to Work With – Delicata comes in convenient sizes: small ones suit a single serving, while large ones feed a family. Slice it lengthwise and stuff it, cut half moons or rounds — all roast well. While it can be pureed, I prefer showcasing the tender skin. For purees, reserve larger squashes like butternut, kabocha or pie pumpkins.
How to Roast Delicata Squash
How to Roast Delicata Squash
Ingredients
- 1 delicata squash
- 1 Tbsp canola oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F.
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Wash the delicata squash and pat dry.
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For half moons: cut the squash lengthwise, scoop out seeds and slice into even 1/4 to 1/2″ pieces. For rounds: slice crosswise into 1/4 to 1/2″ rounds and remove seeds from each slice.
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Arrange slices on a baking sheet and brush or toss with canola oil to coat evenly.
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Season with salt and pepper or your choice of spices.
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Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, until the edges start to caramelize and slices are tender.
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Serve hot as a side dish, toss with pasta, or let cool to use in salads.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Video: More on Roasting Delicata Squash
Learn More About Squash
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Inside you’ll find:
- how to identify common winter squash varieties
- substitutions and recipe ideas
- tips for selecting the freshest, most flavorful squash
- storing and preserving techniques
- safe and efficient methods for cutting large squash
- answers to common squash questions
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Tell me what you think of roasted delicata squash and which seasonings you chose. If you share photos on social media, tag @getgettys so I can see them and say hello.