Baked Butternut

Have you tried Baked Butternut? This side-dish is simple to put together and offers a warm and comforting sweetness that will elevate your main meal. This dish embodies the spirit of Autumn. The natural flavours of butternut shine brightly when it is roasted, complemented by the rich buttery flavours as well as the caramel tones of the brown sugar.

This dish is a simple recipe that uses only three ingredients. It is perfect for family gatherings or a cosy dinner at home. You can add to the aspects of this butternut dish with different types of toppings. One of the best parts about this dish is that it can serve as a savoury dish or a sweet dish.

As a savoury meal, you can add fried onions, leeks, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and nuts. In the form of a sweet dish you can use your favourite ice-cream or yogurt, chopped dates, candied pecans.

Ingredients

Butternut, Brown Sugar, Butter.

Choose butternuts that are mature and flavourful. Avoid shiny butternuts with glossy patches. These are unripe. Butternuts with a matte skin are an indication of their ripeness. Heavy butternuts are a sign of sweetness. When you tap the butternut, it should sound firm and dense.

Brown sugar is sprinkled on top of the butternut, and in combination with the butter, it results in a rich butterscotch flavour. You can sprinkle cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg on top of the butternut to elevate its naturally earthy undertones. Choose a butter with salt to add more flavour, the light saltiness of the butter will complement the earthy butternut and the brown sugar.

Instructions

Begin by preparing the ingredients: Thoroughly rinse the butternut under running water. Slice off both top and bottom ends of the butternut and cut it in half horizontally. Avoid cutting into the hollow zone of the butternut to prevent melted butter from oozing out. Remove the seeds whilst preserving most of the fibrous part where the seeds are attached, mainly because it is the sweetest and most flavourful part. 

Flavour the butternut: Place the butternut in a casserole. Add a dollop of butter in the hollow parts of the butternut. Sprinkle the brown sugar on the inside surfaces of the butternut. You can swap out brown sugar for honey or maple syrup.

Bake the butternut: Preheat the oven to 145ºC or 295ºF. Then, place the casserole in the oven and bake the butternut for fifty minutes with the fan on, or sixty minutes without the fan. Poke the butternut with a fork. When the butternut is ready, the fork will go through without any resistance. If the butternut is still a bit hard, bake for another ten minutes.

Serve immediately: Baked butternut is best enjoyed when it is freshly out of the oven. Use a spoon to scoop up the goodness, or use a fork and knife to cut the butternut into pieces and enjoy it with elegance. Keep in mind, the skin of the butternut is not to be eaten in this recipe.

What to Serve with Baked Butternut?

Baked butternut squash is a flavourful and versatile dish that can be served either as a side or as a dessert. Butternut naturally has a sweet and savoury flavour, which makes it perfect for pairing with all kinds of dishes, such as proteins, vegetables, grains, or salads. Consider the following recipes as ideal dishes to pair with the baked butternut, Grilled Lamb Chops, Rocket and Red Pepper Salad.

How to Store and Reheat Baked Butternut?

Bring the baked butternut to room temperature. However, butternut should not be left out for more than two hours after baking. Transfer the butternut into an airtight container and store it in the fridge or freezer. It will last for up to five days in the refrigerator or up to three months in the freezer.