Honeynut Squash is halved, seeded, simply seasoned, and roasted. Similar to butternut squash but sweeter with a more rich flavor, honeynut squash is so easy and fast to cook. Plus the skin is edible, so no peeling required!
herbs for garnish, other spices if necessary(see notes)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Cut the honeynut squash in half and scoop the seeds out and discard.
Place the squash cut-side-up on a rimmed baking sheet (or other baking dish) and drizzle with the olive oil (about 2 tablespoons). If necessary, rub the oil in so everything is evenly coated. Then, season evenly with the kosher salt (about ½ teaspoon) and black pepper (about ¼ teaspoon).
Flip the squash so it's cut-side-down(see notes) and roast at 425 degrees F for 20 minutes. At this point, pierce one of the squash with a paring knife to see if it inserts very easily and the squash is soft and fully cooked. If not, give it 5-10 more minutes.
Remove from oven and serve, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Honeynut squash, like its cousin butternut, can vary in size and shape. You can use this recipe for any number of squash - just increase or decrease the oil and seasoning as needed. Cooking time will depend on the size and freshness of the squash, so be sure to allow for more time if you're on a schedule.
The skin of honeynut squash is edible because it's so small and delicate. Sometimes, the skin can be a little tough if the squash is on the larger end. I like to serve these as-is, and everyone can choose to scoop the squash out with a spoon to eat it and forgo the skin, or cut into it with a fork or knife for a whole bite.
Other seasonings and flavors: I love the natural flavor of honeynut squash, and find that simply seasoning it with oil, salt, and pepper is enough. But you may want to experiment with other seasonings - cinnamon would be a delicious addition, and a little brush of maple syrup or sprinkling of brown sugar would add some sweetness and caramelization to the squash. This is such an easy recipe, so feel free to experiment with it!
Roasting the squash cut-side-down on a metal baking sheet will help brown the squash and caramelize it because of the hot metal making contact with it. If you are using a ceramic or glass baking dish, I recommend roasting cut-side-up, since those materials don't conduct heat as much.