Description
Ina Garten’s mashed butternut squash brings creamy comfort to autumn dinner tables with rich, velvety texture. Roasted squash blends perfectly with butter and herbs, creating a simple side dish elegant enough for special gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large butternut squash (about 3 to 4 lbs / 1.4 to 1.8 kg)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 ml) almond milk or milk of choice
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt
- ½ tsp (2.5 g) black pepper
- ¼ tsp (1.25 g) ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp (0.625 g) cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsps (30 g) Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Preparation: Position oven rack in middle and preheat to 350°F, creating optimal roasting environment for butternut squash.
- Squash Preparation: Rinse squash, slice lengthwise with sharp knife, carefully remove seeds and stringy pulp, exposing clean interior cavity.
- Seasoning: Drizzle olive oil across cut surfaces, brush maple syrup for caramelization, generously sprinkle kosher salt and black pepper to enhance natural squash flavors.
- Roasting: Place squash halves cut-side upward on parchment-lined baking sheet, roast in preheated oven for approximately 75 minutes until flesh becomes tender and easily pierced with fork.
- Cooling: Remove from oven, allow 10-15 minutes resting time to facilitate safe handling and continued internal cooking.
- Mashing: Transfer roasted squash flesh into mixing bowl, thoroughly mash using potato masher or fork, creating desired texture from smooth puree to rustic consistency.
- Finishing: Taste mashed squash, adjust seasonings with additional salt, pepper, or maple syrup to achieve perfect balanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Roast with Care: Position the squash cut-side up to prevent moisture loss and ensure even caramelization during roasting.
- Timing Matters: Check squash tenderness around 1 hour mark, as cooking duration can vary based on squash size and oven performance.
- Seasoning Strategy: Maple syrup and olive oil create a delicate sweet-savory glaze that enhances natural squash flavors.
- Texture Control: Use a potato masher for rustic texture or blend for ultra-smooth puree, depending on personal preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 2 mg