Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash is a delicious quick and flavorful side, perfect for your Thanksgiving table or any time of the year!

Here's a funny thing. Growing up in Romania, I never ate butternut squash! Yes, I know it sounds odd but there are actually lots of foods I'd never been exposed to before moving here. I don't even think I tried it for years after starting to eat "American Food". That's probably because I was busy gorging on Lucky Charms. Oh the horror (but you know you did too).

I saw the funny-looking vegetable in passing but never knew what it was about. I'm fairly certain my mom was in the same boat as it didn't enter the house. At least not for a long while after establishing roots. 

I still remember the first time I tried it. It reminded me much of a pastry my grandmother used to make with pumpkin. As a little girl, she used to let me get my hands dirty and help with cleaning out the slimy pumpkin. 

Apartments in Bucharest were small and kitchens even smaller. Navigating around in such a tiny space was rather challenging, but I didn't know it at the time. Perched on a chair, arms deep in pumpkin goo and seeds was pure happiness. Being able to help in the kitchen in any capacity was the highlight of my day. 

I'm hazy on the details of trying butternut squash for the first time but what I distinctly remember is being transported back to the little kitchen, eating pumpkin pastry. The taste was remarkably similar. 

So over the years of eating squash, I've toyed around with various recipes and used it in many different dishes. But one of my favorites is a rather indulgent side, which tastes very similar to a dessert. It's absurdly easy to make and all you need is butternut squash, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and pumpkin seeds. So let’s get to making it!

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash 

• Vegan and Paleo approved
• Full of creamy crunchy and tangy flavors
• Perfect Thanksgiving side dish (or anytime)
• Ready in 30 minutes

Ingredients for Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash 

• Butternut squash
• Maple syrup
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Cinnamon
• Dried Cranberries
• Pecans 
• Pumpkin seeds

Making Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash

Step 1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a small bowl, combine the avocado oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.

Step 2. Place butternut squash on parchment lined sheet and drizzle with oil mixture. Mix thoroughly. Roast for 30-35 minutes, until fork tender, tossing once halfway through.

Step 3. Meanwhile, line your other sheet with paper and toast pumpkin seeds and pecans for about 5 minutes until fragrant. Set aside to cool.

Step 4. In a small mixing bowl, cover cranberries with enough hot water to submerge them. Hydrate cranberries for 15 minutes and drain.

Step 5. Once squash is cooked, remove from pan, add to serving dish and sprinkle with nuts, seeds and cranberries.

Tips & substitutions

Butternut squash 

If you don't like butternut squash or don't have any available, a good alternative is using sweet potatoes.

Pecans and pumpkin seeds

Pecans and pumpkin seeds can both be substituted with any nut and seed of your choice. Almond slices, walnuts, sunflower seeds, chopped cashews, and more. You have a lot of creative freedom. 

More Thanksgiving Recipes you may like

• Maple Roasted Vegetables
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cumin and Coriander 
• Paleo Cranberry Sage Stuffing

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📖 Recipe

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash is a delicious quick and flavorful side, perfect for your Thanksgiving table or any time of the year!

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Ingredients

• 1 medium butternut squash
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1-2 tablespoon avocado oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon re-hydrated cranberries
• 2 tablespoon pecans
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a small bowl, combine avocado oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt and pepper. 

2. Place butternut squash on parchment lined sheet and drizzle with oil mixture. Mix thoroughly. Roast for 30-35 minutes, until fork tender, tossing once half way through. 

3. Meanwhile, line your other sheet with paper and toast pumpkin seeds and pecans for about 5 minutes until fragrant. Set aside to cool. 

4. In a small mixing bowl, cover cranberries with enough hot water to submerge. Hydrate cranberries for 15 minutes and drain. 

5. Once squash is cooked, remove from pan, add to serving dish and sprinkle with nuts, seeds and cranberries. 

* Squash takes a little longer to roast so feel free to roast longer if not completely soft. 

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 124Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 148mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 1g