Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla Recipe (2024)

  • Recipes By Ingredients
  • Vegetables
  • Winter Squash
  • Butternut Squash

Here's an easy side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner: Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla! It's an unexpected combo that works beautifully.

By

Elise Bauer

Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla Recipe (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated December 13, 2022

4 Ratings

Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla Recipe (2)

Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla Recipe (3)

19 Winter Squash Recipes for Satisfying DinnersFEATURED IN:

Easy Butternut Squash Side Dish

Here's an easy side dish, perfect for Thanksgiving or any cool-weather meal, using butternut squash. The vanilla makes you think you are about to eat something sweet, and in a way you are, as the squash has a natural sweetness, but this really is a savory dish.

The combination of walnuts, thyme, ginger, vanilla, and squash may seem weird, but oddly it works.

You can either boil the cubed butternut squash with some bay leaves, or roast them until you get a little browning – in which case omit the bay leaves.

Roasting will caramelize the squash a bit, giving a little more flavor, and the squash cubes will hold their shape better.

Boiling the squash will yield softer squash and a little flavor from the bay leaves.

Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla Recipe (4)

How to Buy and Store Butternut Squash

One of the things I love about winter squash is that you can buy one and then take your time to figure out what to do with it. They last for months as long as you keep them cool and dry.

When buying squash, look for ones that are free of blemishes or deep nicks since these will store for longer without developing rot. Store them in a cool, dry place until you're ready to cook with them. (But don't forget about them! Even hard winter squashes will eventually start to go soft and moldy.)

Keep your eye out for good deals on winter squashes toward the end of the season at your farmer's market. Sometimes you can really score with a giant bag of discount squash that will last you through the winter.

Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla Recipe (5)

How to Peel and Cut a Butternut Squash

Cutting up a butternut squash can definitely be intimidating. The most important thing to do is make sure your cutting board is stable. If it's prone to slipping on your countertop, put a damp paper towel or dishcloth underneath to keep it steady.

Use a vegetable peeler to peel off the tough outer skin. If you have a microwave, you can put the whole squash in the microwave for 30 seconds before peeling. That will soften the peel just enough to make it easier to peel.

Then use a sharp chef's knife to cut it into pieces. Don't try to make do with a dull knife or a tiny paring knife -- you'll be more likely to injure yourself.

Ready to slice? Follow this step-by-step guide and you'll be just fine: How to Peel and Cut a Butternut Squash. (With a video, as well!)

More Butternut Squash Recipes

  • Butternut Squash Lasagna
  • Harvest Salad with Miso-Maple Roasted Butternut Squash
  • Butternut Squash Risotto
  • Roasted Butternut Squash and Kale Sauté

Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time40 mins

Servings4 servings

We're using butternut squash for this dish, but you could easily use kabocha squash instead, or any firm, easy-to-peel, winter squash.

You can either boil or roast the squash, directions are given for both methods.

Recipe can be easily doubled.

Ingredients

  • 1 butternut quash, about 2 pounds, peeled, seeds removed, flesh cut into 1-inch cubes

  • 3 bay leaves (if boiling the squash)

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (if roasting the squash)

  • Kosher salt

  • 1 heaping cup walnuts (can substitute pecans or pine nuts)

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons butter

  • 2 teaspoons grated ginger

  • 1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • Lemon juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method

  1. Roast or boil the cubed squash:

    If roasting: Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat the cubed squash with a little olive oil and spread out onto a baking tray. Sprinkle with salt and roast until the cubes begin to brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven.

    Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla Recipe (6)

    If boiling: Put 4 cups of water into a medium-sized pot and add the bay leaves. Bring to a simmer. Add the squash to the pot. Boil, covered for 10 minutes. Drain.

  2. Toast the walnuts:

    Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and toast the walnuts. Stir frequently or they will burn. Once they start to brown, and you can smell the aroma of toasted walnuts, remove from heat.

    How to Toast WalnutsREAD MORE:
  3. Melt the butter:

    Melt the butter in the pan with the walnuts over medium-high heat. Toss the walnuts to coat with butter, then add the squash. Toss them to coat with butter.

    Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla Recipe (7)

    Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla Recipe (8)

  4. Add the grated ginger, vanilla extract, black pepper, a little salt, and dried thyme:

    Toss once more. Turn off the heat and squeeze some lemon juice over everything. Taste for salt and lemon and add more to taste.

    If you want this to be a bit more luxurious, mix in another tablespoon of butter or two before serving.

  • Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  • Walnuts
  • Butternut Squash
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
317Calories
29g Fat
12g Carbs
5g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories317
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 29g38%
Saturated Fat 8g38%
Cholesterol 23mg8%
Sodium 151mg7%
Total Carbohydrate 12g4%
Dietary Fiber 4g15%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 14mg68%
Calcium 67mg5%
Iron 2mg9%
Potassium 363mg8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

Is it necessary to peel butternut squash before cooking? ›

You can eat the skin, so there's no need to peel it. Simply halve it, scoop out the seeds and chop it into chunks, then roast it and add it to a warm winter salad or throw it into curries, stews or soups. You can also roast the seeds and eat them as a snack or sprinkled over a finished dish.

What season is best for butternut squash? ›

When is butternut squash in season? Butternut squash are harvested in late summer and autumn, but because they keep so well, they can be found all year round.

How to cook butternut squash Jamie Oliver? ›

For a basic butternut squash recipe, halve the squash, scoop out the seeds and chop into chunks. You don't have to remove the skin — it will go soft and sweet as the squash cooks — just make sure you wash it well before cooking. Roast at 180°C for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden and soft.

How does Rachael Ray cook butternut squash? ›

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Halve the squash lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and drizzle with EVOO. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and fresh nutmeg and roast until just tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.

How to cook butternut squash Martha Stewart? ›

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place squash cut-side down on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Roast until almost completely tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Turn cut-side up and roast until very tender and beginning to dry out a bit on top (but not brown).

Why is my butternut squash turning brown when I cook it? ›

As the veggies hit the boiling water, volatile acids are released into the water and are carried away in the steam. When the pot is covered, the steam and the acids it contains are forced back into the water. Once there, the acids react with the chlorophyll in the vegetables, turning them an unsightly shade of brown.

What do British people call butternut squash? ›

The vegetable squash that Americans are used to is a relative newcomer to Britain. It's usually called by its varietal name - butternut squash, acorn squash - and sometimes orange fleshed vegetables that would be called squash in the USA are lumped together as pumpkin.

How do you give squash more flavor? ›

Brown Nicely When cooking summer squash, don't be afraid of a little browning. A nicely browned surface adds great flavor. 5. Partner Strategically Finally, balance squash's milder taste with stronger flavors like chilies, curry, ginger, garlic, lemon, goat cheese and so on.

Is butternut squash anti inflammatory? ›

Nutritional Benefits of Butternut Squash

It contains zeaxanthin and lutein, two powerful antioxidants that support vision. Butternut Squash's high antioxidant content may have anti-inflammatory benefits, helping to reduce your risk of inflammation-related disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.

What are 3 ways you can eat butternut squash? ›

7 ways to cook with butternut squash
  • Butternut squash soup. ...
  • Spicy squash and spinach soup. ...
  • Roasted butternut squash. ...
  • Butternut squash laksa. ...
  • Moroccan-spiced tomato sauce with roast vegetables and chickpeas. ...
  • Beef and butternut squash moussaka. ...
  • Chilled toffee apple creams.

Do you cook butternut squash cut side up or down? ›

After your squash is cut in half, scoop and discard the seeds, then roast the butternut squash with the skin on, until fork tender. You can roast the butternut squash cut side down or cut side up, you will get a more caramelized squash when roasted cut side down.

What is the cooking method for butternut squash? ›

Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place the squash cubes on the baking sheet and toss with a drizzle of olive oil and pinches of salt and pepper. Roast 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

How to cook butternut squash Paula Deen? ›

directions
  1. In a medium saucepan combine squash, onions, carrots,broth, and salt. Simmer, uncovered, until squash is very tender, about 40 minutes.
  2. Puree soup in a blender or food processor with the butter. Whisk cream into soup. Serve in wide, shallow bowls with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Should butternut squash be peeled before roasting? ›

Learn how to roast butternut squash the EASY WAY without any prep work. No pre-peeling, chopping or deseeding (yes really!). Just whole-roast it in the oven until soft and tender.

References

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