Description
Roasted brown butter butternut squash with apples & brussels sprouts blends savory and sweet seasonal ingredients in one comforting side dish. Warm spices complement caramelized vegetables, creating a delightful medley you’ll crave at autumn gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5–6 cups butternut squash (cut into cubes)
- 1 lb (454 g) brussels sprouts (halved if large)
- 2 apples (sliced into thick wedges)
- 1 small red or yellow onion (sliced into thick strips)
- 4 tbsps (57 g) butter
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 tbsp thinly sliced garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped herbs like sage or thyme
- Zest of 1 lemon (only the yellow part, not the white pith)
- Coarse salt and fresh black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Thoroughly grease a large baking sheet with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Chopping: Uniformly dice butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, apples, and onion into bite-sized pieces. Mince garlic finely to ensure flavor distribution.
- Seasoning: Combine chopped ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Season with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance natural flavors.
- Roasting Setup: Arrange seasoned mixture in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, minimizing overlap to encourage caramelization.
- Brown Butter Creation: While vegetables roast, craft brown butter by melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until butter transforms to a rich amber hue with a nutty fragrance, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Oven Process: Roast the mixture for 40-50 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even browning. Vegetables should become tender and develop a golden caramelized exterior.
- Finishing Touches: Remove from oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped thyme or parsley. Drizzle golden brown butter over the roasted mixture, gently tossing to distribute flavors. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve warm and enjoy the complex, caramelized medley of flavors.
Notes
- Precise Cutting Technique: Uniform bite-sized pieces ensure even roasting and consistent caramelization across all ingredients.
- Minimal Overlap Matters: Spread ingredients in a single layer to achieve maximum browning and prevent steaming instead of roasting.
- Brown Butter Timing: Watch butter carefully during 5-7 minute transformation, stirring continuously to prevent burning and develop rich nutty flavor.
- Strategic Seasoning: Add herbs and brown butter after roasting to preserve their delicate flavors and prevent potential bitterness from overcooking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg