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The natural sweet notes of brown sugar in roasted delicata squash pair well with the nutty crunch of hazelnuts and the richness of brown butter! This makes a beautiful side dish for fall and winter.
I grew up thinking I hated winter squash.
Until I was an adult, the only way I had it was mashed into oblivion. And as a kid, mashed winter squash looks an awful lot like baby food. And let’s be honest, it doesn’t taste far off the mark either!
I didn’t know there was any way to eat winter squash. Enter delicata squash…
There are a few different ways that you can cook this delicious winter squash. It’s delicious fried, grilled, sautéed, and roasted whole.
One of the easiest and most delicious ways to prepare this squash is to remove the seeds, thinly slice it, and roast it with oil, salt, and pepper.
The squash caramelizes as it roasts, and this brings out its natural sweetness, similar to a sweet potato. It turns golden in spots, and it gets slightly crunchy.
You can serve roasted delicata squash hot or at room temperature.
In this recipe, brown butter and nutty, crunchy hazelnuts enhance the sweetness of caramelized roasted delicata squash.
We add rosemary to the butter as it browns, which brings depth and complexity, as well as a subtle woodsy aroma.
This is a perfect side dish for cooler months, and it’s delicious paired with chicken or beef. And it would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving dinner!
What is Delicata Squash?
Also known as sweet potato squash, delicata squash is a type of winter squash with a delicate rind. This type of squash is cylindrical in shape, with a creamy yellow color and green or orange stripes running length-wise.
How Long Does Delicata Squash Last?
If you have a cool, dry place (such as a root cellar) to store vegetables, delicata squash will last for about 3 to 6 months.
Otherwise, you can store delicata squash in the fridge for about 1 month.
Can You Eat the Skin of Delicata Squash?
Yes! The skin of delicata squash is edible and tender when cooked, so there’s no need to peel it.
The Best Easy Roasted Delicata Squash Recipe
Get ready for your new favorite fall and winter side dish recipe!
Ingredients
- Delicata squash
- Olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
- Hazelnuts
- Unsalted butter
- Fresh rosemary
Step-by-Step Instructions
How to Roast Delicata Squash:
- Trim both ends off each delicata squash. Cut each in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and slice them into 1/4-inch thick half-circles. Toss the squash with the oil, salt, and black pepper, and spread it out evenly on a large baking tray.
- Roast the squash until its golden brown in spots on both sides, about 25 to 30 minutes at 425F, flipping once halfway through.
How to Make Rosemary Brown Butter and Toasted Hazelnuts:
- Add the butter to a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the rosemary sprigs and cook until the butter is light brown and smells nutty, about 5 minutes. Remove and discard the rosemary.
- Spread the hazelnuts out in an even layer on a small baking tray and roast until light golden, about 5 to 10 minutes. Cool, and then coarsely chop the hazelnuts.
More Winter Squash Recipes to Try
- Easy Butternut Squash Puree with Brown Butter
- Harvest Kale Salad with Acorn Squash, Toasted Hazelnuts, and Apple Cinnamon Vinaigrette
- Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Chickpeas, Kale, and Pearl Couscous
- Savory Cheesy Pumpkin Stuffed Shells
- Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipes with Brown Butter and Chai Spices
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Roasted Delicata Squash Recipe with Rosemary Brown Butter and Hazelnuts
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Ingredients
- 2 medium delicata squash washed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup whole hazelnuts
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary plus more for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F.
- Trim both ends off each delicata squash. Cut each in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and slice them into 1/4-inch thick half-circles.
- Toss the squash with the oil, salt, and black pepper, and spread it out evenly on a large baking tray.
- Roast the squash until its golden brown in spots on both sides, about 25 to 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
- After you flip the squash, spread the hazelnuts out in an even layer on a small baking tray and roast until light golden, about 5 to 10 minutes. Cool, and then coarsely chop the hazelnuts.
- Meanwhile, add the butter to a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the rosemary sprigs and cook until the butter is light brown and smells nutty, about 5 minutes. Remove and discard the rosemary.
- To serve, put the squash on a serving platter. Drizzle on the rosemary browned butter and sprinkle on the hazelnuts. Garnish with fresh rosemary if desired.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Squash Size: The delicata squash I used were about 1 to 1 1/4 pounds each.
- Paleo Version: To make this recipe paleo, use ghee instead of brown butter.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximate.
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This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on October 30, 2020. I updated it with more information on November 14, 2022.
I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
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