Because I’m a visual learner, I often look around me for inspiration to fuel my creativity in the kitchen. My daughters are the same way. We choose what to cook based on our moods, cravings and surroundings.
Today, as I was driving through my neighborhood on the way to the grocery store, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by all of the maple trees dotting the streets with their patchwork of colored leaves. By the time I made it to the market, I was in the mood for something which is undeniably fall. As I walked throughout the produce section my eyes caught a large colorful assortment of squash that reminded me of fall leaves.
Once I was in my kitchen, I thought of different recipes that use squash. I decided to roast them in our oven, but I wanted something more. Last spring I had planted an herb container garden with sage which I hadn’t found a reason to use, until today.
Last year, I introduced my daughters to crispy sage cooked in brown butter over pasta. Even Abigail, my finicky one, was surprised how pleasant the sage was. So today I thought I would surprise the girls with crispy sage leaves cooked in brown butter over roasted squash.
Once Mimi was home from soccer practice, she immediately began eating the roasted squash once she walked into the kitchen. I know a dish is a hit with the kids if they don’t say word until it’s gone. Five minutes later, Mimi found me to ask if there was more squash and especially with the crispy sage leaves.
Roasted squash makes a great side dish with any meal, but if you’re looking to add a little something special to it then brown butter is great level of flavor most kids enjoy. And for the slightly more adventurous kids, add fresh sage leaves and cook them until they are crispy.
Hope you enjoy this dish and the beauty fall where you live.
Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Butter Sage
Summary: Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Butter and Sage
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash
- 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 6 fresh sage leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Cut both ends of the squash. Discard the end pieces. Peel the skin of the squash with a vegetable peeler. Cut the squash in half vertically. Scoop the seeds and the stringy cavity from each half of the squash with a spoon. Turn the squash over, cut side facing down. Cut the squash in 1/2-inch slices. Place the squash in a ziplock bag and drizzle with the olive oil. Seal the bag and gently shake the bag to distribute the oil evenly. Place the squash slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer. Season with the salt and pepper. Bake the squash for 20 minutes or until fork tender.
- While the squash is baking, prepare the brown butter and crispy sage leaves. Heat a saute pan on medium-high heat. Add the butter. The butter will melt and change from pale yellow to a light amber honey color. The brown butter will also smell nutty. Do not leave unattended. Add the sage and reduce the heat to medium. The sage will change from a vibrant green to a very dark green. The sage is ready when it is paper thin crispy. Remove the pan from heat.
- Pour the brown butter and sage over the roasted squash and serve.
Preparation time: 10 minute(s)
Cooking time: 20 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 4
PS: For you visual learners, here is a step-by-step supplemental photo guide for this recipe.
This is gorgeous, and you just answered my question of what to do with the butternut squash in my kitchen and the sage on my deck!
Butternut squash – on counter
Sage – on deck growing in pot that will soon have to be brought inside (but not quite yet)
Olive oil & butter – always
Time – 10 minutes I can spare
Ready, set, here I go!
I just came here to see the recipe. Even the description sounded delicious, though! Yum! I just bought a butternut squash, too, and we have fresh sage out in the garden. We will have to try this soon!
How gorgeous is this?? You’re right, butternut squash is the definition of fall. It’s one of my favorite things about the season!
Wow what a scrumptious recipe! I love all the flavors and it looks wonderful too.
Thanks for the recipe. But *please* don’t encourage people to use plastic bags in this manner – it’s incredibly wasteful. Yeah, you could wash and reuse the bag, but a lot of people won’t bother. And into the landfill it will go. It’s just as easy to place the squash and oil in a large bowl and toss to coat.
yum yum yum!! Just the words brown butter sage make my stomach growl, I cannot wait to make this!
Tried this tonight–really delicious! Thanks, Alice.
This was delicious, i only wish i had put the tray closer to the heat and gotten some of That Nice Brown caramelization.
Although this is a delicious combination there is an easier more tasty way to roast squash and the benefit is leftover pulp for soup and rice dishes. Simply wash and dry the whole squash, place in the oven and roast for aprox.45 minutes or until the center is tender. Let cool slightly then cut in half , scoop seeds, slice and serve with the sauce. The skin will slide right off. The seeds are great toasted.
Enjoy.