Best Roasted Winter Squash Recipes

ROASTED WINTER SQUASH SEEDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
• After removing the seeds from the squash, rinse with water, and remove any strings and bits of squash. Pat dry, and place in a small bowl. Stir the olive oil and salt into the seeds until evenly coated. Spread out in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 minutes, or until seeds start to pop. Remove from oven and cool on the baking sheet before serving.

RISOTTO WITH ROASTED WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Cover a baking sheet with foil. Toss the squash with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and spread on the baking sheet in an even layer. Place in the oven and roast for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until tender and caramelized. Remove from the heat.
• Bring the stock to a simmer in a saucepan.
• Heat the remaining oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick frying pan or a wide saucepan and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until the onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes, and add one third of the squash, the garlic, and about 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until the onion is tender and the garlic fragrant, about 1 minute, and add the rice. Cook, stirring, until the grains of rice are separate.
• Stir in the wine and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. The wine should bubble, but not too quickly. When the wine has just about evaporated, stir in a ladleful or two of the simmering stock, enough to just cover the rice and squash. The stock should bubble slowly. Cook, stirring often, until it is just about absorbed. Add the sage and another ladleful of the stock, and continue to cook in this fashion, not too fast and not too slowly, adding more stock when the rice is almost dry, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked al dente. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Add the remaining roasted squash and another 1/2 cup of stock to the rice. Stir in the Parmesan and parsley, and immediately remove from the heat. Add freshly ground pepper, taste one last time and adjust salt. The rice should be creamy. Serve at once.

ROASTED WINTER SQUASH AND PARSNIPS WITH MAPLE SYRUP GLAZE AND MARCONA ALMONDS

Steps:

• Butter 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish. Combine kabocha and butternut squash and parsnips in large bowl. Melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in next 5 ingredients. Add to squash mixture and toss to coat. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before continuing.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Cover squash mixture with foil. Bake covered 40 minutes. Uncover; bake until all vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes longer. Sprinkle with almonds and bake 10 minutes.

ROASTED WINTER SQUASH AND APPLE SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large roasting pan, toss squash, onions, garlic, and apples with oil to coat. Season well with salt and chile powder. Roast, stirring every 10 minutes, until vegetables are fork-tender and lightly browned, about 40 minutes.
• Transfer half the vegetables and 2 cups stock to a food processor; puree until smooth. Repeat with remaining vegetables and broth. Return pureed mixture to pot, thinning soup with stock, if necessary. Season with salt and chile powder; bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Serve immediately, garnished with Cilantro Walnut Pesto, if desired.

ROASTED BEET AND WINTER SQUASH SALAD WITH WALNUTS

Steps:

• Roast the beets. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Cut the greens off of the beets, leaving about 1/2 inch of the stems attached. Scrub the beets and place in a baking dish or ovenproof casserole. Add about 1/4 inch water to the dish. Cover tightly with a lid or foil, and bake 35 to 40 minutes, until the beets are tender. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. If not using right away, refrigerate in a covered bowl
• Line another roasting pan with foil or parchment and brush with olive oil. Peel the squash and cut in 1/2-inch thick slices. Toss with 2 teaspoons of the olive oil and salt to taste and place on the baking sheet. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, turning halfway through, until lightly browned and tender. You can do this at the same time that you roast the beets, but watch carefully if you need to put the baking sheet on a lower shelf. Remove from the heat and allow to cool
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil while you stem and wash the greens. Add salt to the water, and blanch the greens for 1 minute or until tender. Transfer the greens to a bowl of cold water, then drain and squeeze out the water. Chop coarsely
• Mix together the vinegars, garlic, salt, pepper, the remaining olive oil and the walnut oil. When the beets are cool enough to handle, trim the ends off, slip off their skins, cut in half, then slice into half-moon shapes. Toss with half the salad dressing. In a separate bowl, toss the roasted squash with the remaining dressing
• Place the greens on a platter, leaving a space in the middle. Arrange the beets and squash in alternating rows in the middle of the platter. Sprinkle on the fresh herbs and the walnuts. If desired, sprinkle on crumbled feta. Serve

ROASTED WINTER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400.
• Cut the squash in half, seed it, and quarter it.
• Brush well with olive oil and season liberally with salt and pepper.
• Place cut side up in a baking dish and roast until squash is soft and browned at the edges, 45 minutes-1 hour.
• When squash is tender throughout, scoop flesh from skin and set aside.
• These steps can be done ahead of time and frozen for later use.
• Cook onion in butter over medium low heat until soft.
• Onion should be sweated, not cooked till brown or caramelized.
• Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
• Add the wine and cook, stirring frequently, until reduced to nearly dry (about ten minutes).
• Combine the herbs and spices (thyme through fresh parsley) in a cheesecloth bundle/bouquet garni, add it to the pot.
• Add the squash pulp to the pot.
• Gradually add the chicken stock to desired thickness (you may not need all 4 cups), and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to simmer, season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Simmer soup for 20 minutes.
• Remove cheesecloth bundle/bouquet garni, and puree soup with hand blender or food processor until it is the desired consistency.
• Serve hot.

ROASTED WINTER VEGETABLE AND SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a deep skillet. Add onion and saute over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add pumpkin, butternut squash, carrots, parsnip, and turnip. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cook for 5 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally.
• Add thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley, and bay leaves to the pot, tucking the sprigs down into the vegetables so they can release their oils. Add garlic and continue to stir occasionally. Be careful not to let the garlic burn. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes.
• Heat vegetable stock in a separate pot. Add all the vegetables from the skillet. Check seasoning and adjust if necessary. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Retrieve all herb sprigs. Serve as is or allow soup to cool and blend in a blender to desired consistency.

BALSAMIC ROASTED WINTER SQUASH AND WILD RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse the wild rice. Bring the water or stock to a boil in a medium saucepan, add salt to taste and the rice. Bring back to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 45 minutes, until the rice is tender and has begun to splay. Drain through a strainer, return to the pot and cover the pot with a clean dishtowel. Return the lid to the pot and let sit for 10 minutes
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place the squash in a bowl or directly on the baking sheet and toss with salt to taste, the balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Spread on the baking sheet in an even layer and make sure to tip all of the liquid remaining in the bowl over the squash. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes so that the squash browns evenly. The squash should be tender all the way through. Remove from the heat
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, salt to taste and mustard. Whisk in the remaining olive oil and the walnut oil
• Combine the wild rice, squash, herbs and celery in a large bowl. Toss with the dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste. Line a platter, individual plates or a wide salad bowl with the baby spinach or arugula. Top with the salad and serve

ROASTED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil; drop in lemon slices and cook for two minutes. Drain well.
• In a large bowl, toss chicken with lemon slices, 1 tablespoon oil, sage, coriander, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Let stand 30 minutes.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine syrup, butter, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and chile powder. Simmer for 3 minutes. Toss mixture with squash.
• Spread squash in a 9-by-13-inch pan or on a large rimmed baking sheet. Nestle chicken and lemon on top of squash. Roast for 15 minutes. In a small bowl, toss scallions and remaining 1 teaspoon oil. Scatter over chicken and squash; keep roasting until chicken is no longer pink, about 20 minutes more.

ROASTED WINTER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place squash on a baking sheet, cut side down. Bake until very tender, about 1 hour. Let cool slightly.
• While squash is roasting, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, sage and allspice. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook until onions are tender, about 10 minutes. Uncover. Stir in apple and broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until apple is tender, about 15 minutes.
• Scoop out the squash pulp and add it to the pan. Simmer for 5 minutes. Let soup cool slightly. Working in 2 batches, puree the soup in a blender, holding the lid down firmly with a kitchen towel to prevent the steam from pushing it off. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
• When ready to serve, heat soup over medium heat until it just reaches a simmer. Add lemon juice, salt and pepper. Ladle into hot soup bowls and garnish with walnuts.

ROASTED TURNIPS AND WINTER SQUASH WITH AGAVE GLAZE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets or roasting pans with parchment or foil. In a large bowl, toss the turnips and squash with the oil, sage and salt. Divide the mixture between the 2 baking sheets, then spread in an even layer.
• Transfer to the oven on the middle and lower shelves, and roast for 20 minutes, stirring the vegetables and rotating the baking sheets halfway through. Reduce the heat to 400 degrees and continue to roast until tender and caramelized, another 10 to 20 minutes, stirring and rotating again halfway through.
• Remove from the oven and brush with the agave. Return to the oven and cook until the vegetables appear glossy, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with sunflower seeds scattered on top.

DR. WEIL’S ROASTED WINTER SQUASH AND APPLE SOUP WITH WALNUT CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large roasting pan, toss the squash, onions, garlic and apples with the oil to coat. Season well with the salt and chile. Roast, stirring every 10 minutes, until the vegetables are fork tender and lightly browned, about 40 minutes. 2. Put half of the vegetables and 2 cups of the broth in a food processor and purée until smooth. Repeat with the remaining vegetables and broth. Return puréed mixture to the pot. If the soup is too thick, add more broth. Correct the seasoning and heat to a simmer. 3. Serve in warm bowls with dollops of cilantro-walnut pesto. PESTO 1. Put the walnuts in a food processor and grind them fine. 2. Add the cilantro, jalapeño pepper, salt, vinegar and 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and blend. Blend in a little more water if necessary to make a thick sauce. Taste and correct the seasoning, adding more salt if necessary.

ROASTED GOLDEN BEET AND WINTER SQUASH SALAD

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss together beets, 2 tablespoons oil, orange juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, bay leaf and thyme. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, toss radishes with 1 tablespoon oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Flip beets and scatter radishes around them. Raise the oven temperature to 425 degrees and roast uncovered until everything is golden and tender, 18 to 25 minutes longer, stirring once or twice.
• Meanwhile, on a separate rimmed baking sheet, toss squash with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Roast in oven along with beets and radishes, until browned, 15 to 20 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through.
• Prepare the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together orange juice, lime juice, garlic, anchovies and salt. Let sit for a minute, then whisk in oil.
• As warm vegetables come out of the oven, toss them in the bowl with the dressing and let cool. Once cool, fold in cilantro, scallions and pumpkin seeds.
• In a medium bowl, toss frisée with olive oil and salt to taste, then transfer to serving plate. Top with roasted vegetables, and cover generously with cheese.

ROASTED WINTER SQUASH WITH MISO GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet (or 2 if necessary) with parchment. Peel the squash, cut in half and scrape out the seeds and fibers. Slice 1/2 inch thick and place in a large bowl. Season with a little salt if desired and toss with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the sesame oil. Lay the slices in one layer on the baking sheet(s).
• Roast the squash for 25 to 30 minutes, turning the slices over every 10 minutes, until the slices are tender all the way through and lightly colored.
• Meanwhile, heat the broiler and make the glaze. To make the glaze, combine the mirin and sake in the smallest saucepan you have and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 20 seconds, taking care not to boil off much of the liquid, then turn the heat to low and stir in the miso and the sugar. Whisk over medium-low heat without letting the mixture boil until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and whisk in the sesame oil.
• Remove the squash from the oven and brush each slice with the miso glaze. Place under the broiler, about 2 inches from the heat, and broil for about 1 minutes, or until the glaze begins to bubble and looks shiny. Remove from the heat. Allow to cool if desired or serve hot.

SWEET ROASTED WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Cover a baking pan with aluminum foil and coat with vegetable oil.
• Remove acorn squash stems, cut in half lengthwise, and clean out the seeds. Place squash cut side-down onto the prepared baking pan.
• Roast in the preheated oven until tender, 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the squash
• While squash roasts, place brown sugar, butter, sea salt, cinnamon, and allspice in a small bowl. Microwave to melt the butter, about 30 seconds; stir to combine.
• Remove squash from the oven, turn over, and coat with the sugar mixture. Continue to roast for 5 minutes more.

ROASTED WINTER SQUASH, CRANBERRY, AND ALMOND SALAD WITH LEMON DIJON BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE (VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE, SOY-FREE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375F. Wash squash and place it whole on a baking sheet. Bake for about 40 to 45 minutes or until squash has some give when squeezed.
• Slice squash open vertically, remove seeds and filaments; discard.
• Squash flesh should be fork-tender and soft. If it's not quite done, return halves to the baking sheet, cut side up, and continue to bake until done. Butternut sometimes takes longer than kabocha, buttercup, or acorn, closer to 60 minutes rather than 40-45. Baking times will vary based on squash size.
• Dice about 1 cup squash into 1-inch pieces for the salad; set aside. Extra squash can be stored for up to 5 days airtight in the refrigerator. Try any of these 12 squash recipes for the remainder, or just eat with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar, or dunked in extra vinaigrette.
• Place salad greens on a large plate.
• Evenly sprinkle with diced squash, carrot, cranberries, and almonds; set aide.
• Lemon Dijon Balsamic Vinaigrette - In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except the oil and whisk to incorporate.
• Slowly drizzle in the oil and whisk vigorously to incorporate.
• Taste dressing and see what it needs and adjust accordingly.
• Drizzle over salad and serve. Extra dressing will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Re-whisk before using the leftover portion on future salads.

ROASTED SQUASH AND GINGER NOODLE SOUP WITH WINTER VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Cut 4 pounds squash into large chunks. Cut remaining pound into 1/2-inch dice.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. On a lightly oiled baking sheet, place ginger and diced squash. Bake until soft, about 20 minutes, turning ginger and squash pieces halfway through the cooking.
• Transfer ginger to a stockpot and reserve roasted squash. Add squash chunks to pot. Add cold water to cover by two inches, turn heat to medium, and heat to a bare simmer. The surface of the liquid should steam but never boil.
• In a hot skillet, toast all spices until lightly browned and fragrant. Add to pot along with 2 tablespoons salt. Cook slowly until squash is very soft, about 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, prepare the winter vegetables, cut bite size, until just tender, blanching wax beans, chard or radishes; roasting brussels sprouts or cauliflower; or searing mushrooms.
• When broth is done, pour it through a strainer and lightly press on squash chunks to release all the liquid. Discard contents of strainer. Season broth to taste with salt.
• Boil noodles in plenty of salted water, then drain. Divide among 6 to 8 bowls. Divide roasted squash pieces and cooked vegetables on top of noodles. Ladle in broth just to cover noodles and serve immediately.

PASTA WITH ROASTED WINTER SQUASH AND RICOTTA SALATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Cover a baking sheet with foil. In a bowl, toss the squash with the garlic, salt, pepper, rosemary, and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil until all of the squash is coated with oil. Transfer to the baking sheet, place in the oven and roast for 30 minutes, or until tender and caramelized. Remove from the heat. Remove the garlic cloves and discard. Transfer the squash to a wide pasta bowl and add the cheese. Keep warm.
• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook al dente, following the timing instructions on the package but checking the pasta a minute or two before. Ladle about 1/2 cup cooking water from the pasta into the bowl with the squash and cheese and stir together.
• When the pasta is ready, drain and toss with the squash mixture, the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and the parsley. Serve hot.

MAPLE ROASTED WINTER SQUASH PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Roll out one half of pie dough, and line pie dish. Freeze additional pie dough for later use. Dock dough with a fork, line dough with parchment and fill pie crust with pie weights. Blind bake for 10 minutes, remove parchment and weights and cool crust on a rack. Do not brown the pie or over cook it at this stage. The blind baking will help to achieve a crisp crust.
• Cut squash in half. Scoop out and discard seeds. Lay squash halves, skin side down, on a baking sheet. Drizzle with syrup, cover with aluminum foil and bake until tender. Cool squash completely. Scoop out flesh of squash and puree in a food processor. Add cream, sugar and eggs, and pulse quickly. Combine cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, allspice and ginger and add to squash. Pulse to combine. Pour squash filling into pie dish. Bake for 15 minutes then reduce heat to 325 degrees. Bake until set, about 45 to 60 minutes. Cool and serve.

DR. WEIL’S ROASTED WINTER SQUASH AND APPLE SOUP

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large roasting pan, toss the squash, onions, garlic and apples with the oil to coat. Season well with the salt and chile. Roast, stirring every 10 minutes, until the vegetables are fork tender and lightly browned, about 40 minutes. 2. Put half of the vegetables and 2 cups of the broth in a food processor and purée until smooth. Repeat with the remaining vegetables and broth. Return puréed mixture to the pot. If the soup is too thick, add more broth. Correct the seasoning and heat to a simmer. 3. Serve in warm bowls with dollops of cilantro-walnut pesto.