Cranberry butternut squash is one of our favorite sweet meets tangy pairings. It’s flavorful, nutritious, and simple to prepare. Cranberry glazed roasted butternut squash if you’re looking for a side dish for a holiday meal, or maybe also you just want some comforting recipe to enjoy on a cool evening.
What is roasted butternut squash with cranberry glaze?
Roasted butternut squash cranberry glaze — this quick & tasty recipe is comprised of roasted pieces of butternut squash in a sweet & tangy cranberry glaze. The glaze is basically made with fresh cranberries, sugar and a splash of vinegar or citrus juice. You poke that glaze all over the roasted butternut squash, and it picks up plenty of spice and zing.
Butternut squash is a sweet, nutty beast of a vegetable in its own right, too. Roasted, its natural sweetness blossoms, a perfect canvas for all the different kinds of glaze and seasoning. Add the tang of cranberries to the mix, and you’ll have a show stopper that everyone will enjoy.
Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberry Glaze Ingredients
Ingredients for ginger cranberry glazed roasted butternut squash
- 1 peeled and cubed medium butternut squash
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Garni: Fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)
This includes neither: these two ingredients create a delicious dish that contains sweet and savory elements. . A cranberry glaze layer delivers a pleasant tanginess combined with comforting butternut squash flavors.
How to Make Cranberry Glazed Roasted Butternut Squash
1: Preheat the Oven
First heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Delightful caramelization occurs with natural squash sugars during the oven process since these sugar molecules create deep flavors.
2: The Butternut Squash
Here’s how to avoid a mushy, tasteless butternut squash. You can also slice it into bigger hunk, if you wish, but small cubes will cook a little faster and crisp the edges.
3: Roast the Squash
Bake in a preheated oven at 400 for 25-30 min.Check the squash about midway through cooking and stir it occasionally to promote even roasting. When the squash is done, you want it to be soft and golden brown. Put it in the oven for a few more minutes to brown it even further.
4: Prepare the Cranberry Glaze
While the squash roasts, make the cranberry glaze. Add the vinegar, honey or maple syrup, fresh cranberries, and a pinch of salt to a pot.. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries begin to pop and the sauce reduces and thickens, 10 to 15 minutes. After the glaze is done, turn off the heat and put it aside.
5: Toss the Squash with the Glaze
Remove the butternut squash from the oven once it has finished roasting. Pour the cranberry glaze over the squash and toss to coat. Return the squash to the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes to give it a richer glaze flavor. This allows the glaze to slowly caramelize as it seeps into the squash.
6: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the cranberry glazed roasted butternut squash warm, and garnish with sprigs of fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary for an additional punch of flavor.
Variations on Cranberry Glazed Roasted Butternut Squash
And, though that basic recipe is delicious, you can (and must!) add some holiday whimsy customizing cranberry glazed roasted butternut squash to your own palate. Here’s one way you could modify it:
Add Nuts for Crunch
You can add some pecans or walnuts for crunch. Just chop the nuts and scatter them over the roasted squash, then drizzle with the cranberry glaze. The nuts will provide a pleasant crunch that will contrast with the squash’s mushy texture.
Use orange juice creatively to incorporate some citrusy flavors.
If you want a citrusy note, try adding fresh orange juice to the cranberry glaze. The orange juice sweetens the tart cranberries, checking all balances for a side you will not be able to stop eating. For added zing, you could even add a little orange zest.
Spice it Up with Chili Flakes
Just before serving, add some chili flakes to the roasted squash to provide a little spiciness. The heat will provide a more complex flavor profile by balancing the sweetness of the cranberry glaze.
Make it Vegan
To make this recipe vegan, simply replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. This will maintain plant-based in a way that won’t slacken the dish’s lush, sweet flavor.
Why Choose Cranberry Glazed Roasted Butternut Squash?
Health Benefits
Antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins A and C are all present in butternut squash. Cranberries are also very nutrient-dense and have benefits like improved heart health, immunity, and digestion. These two on their own would make cranberry glazed roasted butternut squash a go to choice in health in all times!
Seasonal Flavors
Fall flavors come to life in roasted butternut squash with cranberry glaze. The squash’s sweetness and the cranberries’ tartness make a pleasing combination. It’s especially good this time of year, around Thanksgiving, Christmas or any snuggly family meal during the cold months.
Easy to Prepare
Here is very simple and fast recipe to prepare cranberry glazed roasted butternut squash. It calls for only a few simple ingredients, and the cooking is simple enough for beginner cooks. Whether you’re a cooking veteran or a total newbie, this recipe is simple enough for either and rewarding enough to have you coming back for more.
Pairing Cranberry Glazed Roasted Butternut Squash
The cranberry glazed roasted butternut squash goes with just about everything. Here are some nice pairings:
Roast Chicken
Roasted butternut squash with cranberry glaze makes a lovely savory accompaniment to roast chicken. To finish the dinner, serve with a simple green salad or, if preferred, mashed potatoes.
Turkey
For a festive flourish, serve cranberry glazed roasted butternut squash with the roasted turkey. It is especially great within Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners.
Grilled Steak
If you’re after a heartier spread, cranberry glazed roasted butternut squash offsets a juicy grilled steak beautifully. Squash’s sweetness balances the steak’s richness.
Quinoa Salad
If serving vegetarian or vegan, accompany it with a quinoa salad. The nutty notes of quinoa temper the sweet notes of the squash, making it a well-rounded dish.
Tips for Perfect Cranberry Glazed Roasted Butternut Squash
- Coat the Squash Evenly: You want the butternut squash to be evenly coated with olive oil, salt, and cinnamon. This will assist it in roasting and caramelizing well.
- Use Fresh Cranberries:Fresh cranberries = a better tasting glaze. You can try frozen ones; fresh ones have a tangier, crisper flavor.
- Don’t Over Roast: Don’t let the squash stay in the oven until it becomes mushy. It should be tender but not mushy. But if it gets too soft it can lose some of its texture and flavor.
- More Glaze: If you want more glaze, you can always make extra cranberry sauce to drizzle over the finished dish. It adds an extra layer of flavor.
Conclusion
This cranberry glazed roasted butternut squash is one of my favorite fall-inspired recipes. Its sweet tang, and savory hints, make it a steak for nearly any occasion. Cranberry glazed roasted butternut squash is sure to be a hit whether you’re making it for a holiday feast or simply digging into it for a weeknight dinner. This dish is one you will want to make over and over, since it’s easy to whip up, healthy and comes in multiple flavors. So have all of your ingredients, pre-heat the oven and you’re on your way to recipe delicious people going for seconds!
FAQS
What other versions of this dish can you make?
Additions can include ingredients such as:
- Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes for a more substantial salad.
- Maple syrup and Pecans add a nutty, sweet flavor.
- Goat cheese or feta for creamy, tangy contrast.
- Spinach for extra greens and texture.
Is this dish vegetarian or even vegan?
Yes, but the base recipe is vegetarian. To veganize it, make sure the glaze doesn’t contain honey (use maple syrup instead) and top with plant-based cheese alternatives like some kind of vegan feta or goat cheese.
Is this a make ahead dish?
Yes, you can prepare the cranberry glaze and roasted vegetables the day before. Keep them separately in the refrigerator, and when you’re ready to serve, warm the vegetables, drizzle on the glaze, and top with whatever garnish you want, like cheese or herbs.
Nutritional benefits of this dish?
Butternut squash is and cranberries are vitamin A and And this is very much what you are. Additionally, it is high in fiber and antioxidants, which support digestion and the immune system. Nuts and cheese can add healthy fats and protein to it, for example.