This roasted delicata squash with pepita pesto has crispy edges and is studded with bold flavors of curry and pesto. This would make for an interesting side dish for a holiday meal or a quick weeknight dinner.
Say hello to your new favorite holiday side dish! Or quick weeknight dinner accompaniment, appetizer, light dinner for one, etc.
Ever since I tasted this autumn bento bowl from Laughing Planet in Oregon, I’ve been seriously digging delicata squash. It’s one of those things I just forget about but love!
In the world of squash, delicata is one of my favorites because of the tenderness of the flesh, but subtle crunch of the skin. Roasting gives it a caramel-like edge and while it’s perfect on it’s own, I decided to jazz it up with something bright and fresh for contrast.
What does delicata squash look like?
Delicata squash is the small, cylindrical one that is yellow with green ridges. It’s usually served in rings or half-moons. One squash is the perfect size for one meal (2-4 servings, depending on the size).
Also, no need to peel it which saves a good amount of time. Just wash well before slicing. The skin gets nice and soft and adds texture.
These crisp up in the oven so nicely. I definitely snuck a few straight from the pan because look at that beautiful browning.
How to Use Roasted Delicata Squash
Besides the pesto/pepita option I went with, there are several other ways you can serve roasted delicata squash. The presentation is gorgeous and interesting without a lot of effort.
Here are a few other recipes that look amazing:
- Arugula Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash, Pomegranate and Goat Cheese (via Dishing Out Health)
- Harvest Moon Kale Caesar Salad with Creamy Maple Mustard Dressing (via Will Frolic for Food)
- Roasted Delicata Squash Pasta with Greens (via Family Style Food)
- Harissa Roasted Cauliflower with Delicata Squash & Chickpeas (via Healthy Nibbles)
Planning your holiday menus? Here are some other LRN recipes you might love:
- Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce with Pears
- Sweet & Spicy Turmeric Roasted Carrots
- Dirty Chai Spiced Pecans
Regardless of how you serve it, I think this recipe will get you hooked on delicata this fall/winter. I hope you love it as much as I do!
PrintRoasted Delicata Squash with Pepita Pesto
Roasted delicata squash with bold flavors of curry and pesto. This would make for a super interesting holiday meal side dish!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sides
- Method: Roasting
Ingredients
Squash:
- 1 small to medium delicata squash
- 1–2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp course sea salt
- 1/2 tsp curry powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Pepita Pesto:
- 1/2 cup pepitas (plus more for serving)
- 1 small bunch cilantro (reserving a few leaves for serving)
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 lime, juiced
- pinch of course sea salt
- 1/4–1/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Slice delicata squash into 1/2″ slices (discarding the ends), then slice each ring into a half-moon shape. Remove seeds and discard.
- Toss squash with olive oil in a small bowl.
- In a separate small dish, combine spices. Add spice blend to squash and toss to coat.
- Transfer squash to sheet pan into a single layer. Roast for 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through until browned.
- While squash cooks, make the pesto: Add everything to a large wide-mouth mason jar and use a stick blender (affiliate) to fully incorporate all ingredients (start with 1/4 cup oil, adding more as needed).
- Once squash is done cooking, transfer to a serving platter and top with pesto and extra pepitas and cilantro.
Notes
- Feel free to use store-bought pesto if you don’t have time to make it from scratch, although the cilantro/pepita flavors really pair well with the squash so I highly recommend it!
Nutrition
- Calories: 126
- Fat: 7 grams
- Carbohydrates: 15 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 3 grams
Keywords: roasted delicata squash, homemade cilantro pesto, holiday side dish, gluten-free, dairy-free
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