Perfectly Roasted Squash

When the temperatures start to cool down you know it’s time to start roasting all of your favorite Fall and Winter vegetables. Squash is in season now. While each type of squash may look different you can cook it the same way, although you may need to deal with their shape a little differently during the cutting process; as long as you end up with thinnish wedges or slices, they’ll come out right. Very tender squash such as butternut and delicata won’t need the added water. 

HANDS-ON TIME: 20   |    TOTAL TIME: 70   |    MAKES: 4 SERVINGS

KITCHEN GEAR

Cutting board
Sharp knife (adult needed)
Measuring spoons
Measuring cup
9 x 13-inch baking pan 

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive or canola oil, or melted unsalted butter
2 acorn squash (or any type of squash!)
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 cup water

INSTRUCTIONS

Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your equipment and ingredients and put them on a counter.

  1. Turn the oven on and set the heat to 425 degrees. Use the teaspoon of oil to grease the pan.
  2. Put the squash on the cutting board and stand them up (if possible). Very, very carefully, use the knife to cut each squash in half through the stem end.
  3. Using a measuring spoon, scrape the seeds and as many of the fibrous strands as possible from each squash. Cut each half into 4 wedges.
  4. Put the squash in the pan, cut-side down, drizzle with the oil, and sprinkle with the salt. Add the water to the bottom of the pan, so that it surrounds the squash.
  5. Once the oven temperature has reached 425 degrees, put the pan in the oven and roast until the flesh of the squash is deeply browned and soft, 35-45 minutes.
  6. Serve right away. 

Make it fancy! Halfway through cooking, sprinkle on 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or rosemary leaves (or 1/3 teaspoon dried) and/or 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup. 

You can find all of the ingredients for this recipe (and others!) at your local Bashas’. For more recipe inspiration visit ChopChopFamily.org and sign-up for their Kitchen Newsletter here. ChopChop Family’s goal is to enrich the lives of families by inspiring and teaching them to cook and eat real food together, while having fun and learning essential skills for a full life.