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Roasted Delicata Squash with Pecans

November 8, 2019 By justalittlebitofbacon 5 Comments

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Roasted delicata squash makes a delicious side dish! The caramelized rings pair perfectly with chopped pecans, fresh thyme, and grated parmesan. This recipe is simple enough for weeknight and special enough for the holiday table.

A spoon holding up several delicata squash rings from a serving bowl.

Hello, all!

Today I have for you one of my favorite easy sides! When I first discovered delicata squash and found out all you had to do was slice and cook (no peeling needed!) I immediately brought some home to roast for dinner. I’ve been making this recipe for years now and I hope you try it too!

What is delicata squash?

They are a type of squash with a thin and easily eaten rind. Additionally they are fairly small and are cream to yellow in color with green stripes.

Are they a winter or a summer squash? Eh, both really. While they are closely related to zucchini, they behave and taste like a winter variety. šŸ™‚

Delicata was first introduced into the US in the 1890’s, but it was a more perishable and less prolific version than we have today, so the rise of factory farming just about obliterated it. Like many of our heirloom varieties, a few people kept it going. However, it was likely to remain in obscurity, occasionally seen at farm stands, but unknown to most of us.

Luckily some breeders at Cornell University got a hold of it.

Now this is the exciting bit, at least to me since I’m a food nerd. They managed to create a disease resistant (less fungicide), high producing, open pollinated plant. This means that the seeds can be saved and still produce the same squash and the squash is easier to grow organically. They won a well-deserved award for their work.

Top view of a serving bowl filled with roasted delicata squash, fresh thyme leaves, pecans.

What do you need?

  • Delicata Squash – You want to use two medium for six people. No peeling needed! Just seed and slice.
  • Olive Oil and Salt – The basics of roasting.
  • Thyme – Fresh thyme if you have it, but dried works well too.
  • Pecans – Crunch and flavor!
  • Parmesan – Just about everything is better with some parmesan.
  • Sherry Vinegar – To add a hit of bright acidity at the end.

Step by step on how to make the recipe.

How to make this

To make roasted delicata squash seed and slice into rings then toss with salt and olive oil. Roast flat against a baking pan until the squash is deeply browned and tender.

  1. Seed and slice the squash.
  2. Toss with olive oil and salt
  3. Roast until well browned in a 375F oven.
  4. Add chopped pecans, fresh thyme, and grated parmesan.
  5. Cook until the nuts are toasted.
  6. Sprinkle with a little sherry vinegar and serve.

Deeply browned roasted delicata squash rings on a baking pan.

More Simple Roasted Vegetables

Roasting is such a great way to prepare vegetables! It’s mostly hands off and produces beautifully caramelized dishes full of flavor. Here are a few of my favorites.

  • Honey Roasted Carrots with Balsamic
  • Crispy Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Pecans
  • Roasted Hakurei Turnips and Radishes  

If you try my recipe for Roasted Delicata Squash, I would love to hear from you in the comments with your experience and rating! And I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.

You can connect with me by subscribing to my emails or liking my Facebook or Pinterest (see the form and icons in the sidebar or below the recipe card)

– Happy Roasting, Annemarie

Learn how to cook roasted delicata squash with parmesan, pecans, and thyme! This healthy side dish bakes in the oven to make a simple side for a fall or winter dinner. | justalittlebitofbacon.com #delicatasquash #wintersquash #sidedishes #simplerecipes #roastsquash
Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Roasted Delicata Squash with Pecans and Thyme

Learn how to cook roasted delicata squash with parmesan, pecans, and thyme! This healthy side dish bakes in the oven to make a simple side for a fall or winter dinner.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time30 minutes mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: roasted delicata squash
Servings: 6
Calories: 150kcal
Author: justalittlebitofbacon

Ingredients

  • 2 medium delicata squash
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, or 1/2 tsp dried
  • 4 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 tbsp sherry vinegar

Instructions

  • Move a baking rack to the lower middle position in the oven. Preheat oven to 375F.
  • Slice the squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Then slice them into 1/2 inch thick half moons.
  • In a large bowl, toss squash with olive oil and salt. Spread them out evenly onto a greased baking pan so that all the rings are laying flat against the surface.
  • Place baking pan in the oven and roast for 20 minutes, or until well caramelized on the bottom.
  • Take the baking pan out of the oven and sprinkle the pecans, parmesan cheese, and thyme leaves over the squash.
  • Return pan to oven and roast for another 3-5 minutes. Watch carefully to make sure the pecans don't burn.
  • Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the sherry vinegar. Serve.

Notes

  • Baking pan: A metal baking pan with no liner will give you the brownest roast squash. Using parchment paper or a glass dish will produce less browning.
  • Turning the squash: To have the squash browned on both sides, you will need to turn them after 15 minutes and increase the cooking time by 10 minutes (from 20 to 30). Note: Turning the rings is annoying so it's up to you on whether you want to do it.
  • Dried thyme: If you are using dried, you can add it with the pecans as in the recipe or toss it with the salt and olive oil at the beginning.
  • Lowering the baking rack: Lowering the rack brings the baking pan closer to the heat and makes for better browning.

First published September 2015. Rewritten, expanded, and rephotographed.

Roasted squash rings on a baking sheet and in a bowl with text overlay - Delicata Squash.
Squash ring in a wide serving bowl with text overlay - Roasted Delicata Squash.

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Filed Under: 10 ingredients or less, fall, gluten free, holiday favorites, ingredient spotlight, recipe, side dishes, thanksgiving feast, vegetable dishes, vegetarian Tagged With: delicata squash, nuts, winter squash

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Comments

  1. Taryn says

    December 22, 2022 at 10:01 pm

    5 stars
    This was really good. I halved it and forgot the sherry vinegar at the end but it still tasted delicious.

    Reply
  2. Marge Currier a.k.a. MOM says

    September 21, 2015 at 9:59 pm

    5 stars
    We are going to try this recipe tomorrow night. I know it will be delish. Will let you know the verdict.

    Marge a..k.a. Mom..

    Reply
    • justalittlebitofbacon says

      September 22, 2015 at 2:18 pm

      I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you like it! Just be careful of the nuts. They get burnt real quick.

      Reply
      • Marge Currier a.k.a. MOM says

        September 23, 2015 at 6:34 pm

        5 stars
        Only one word describes this recipe: WONDERFUL.

        The nuts added a nice tasty crunch.

        I will file this under “Tried and True”

        Marge a.k.a. MOM

        Reply
        • justalittlebitofbacon says

          September 23, 2015 at 9:57 pm

          Excellent. I’m glad you liked it! I know you were going to do a thyme vs. rosemary comparison. Which one worked best for your taste buds?

          Reply

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Hello, I’m Annemarie

Welcome to my kitchen! I’m a Italian-American girl who loves fresh foods, local ingredients, and all sorts of comfort foods. Here you will find Mediterranean flavors and recipes from a New England perspective.

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