Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds peeled, seeded, and small cubed butternut squash (about 2 cups, cubed evenly)
- 2 gala apples, peeled, cored and diced (or a sweet apple of your choice)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or use honey)
- 2 tablespoons butter, chopped into sections
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Fruit and Nuts
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup pecans (or walnuts)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the squash and apples.
- Mix Squash and Apples: In a large bowl, combine the cubed butternut squash, diced apples, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and brown sugar. Stir well to evenly coat all the pieces.
- Season: Add salt and black pepper to the mixture and mix thoroughly to distribute the seasoning evenly.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Transfer the mixture into a covered baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Dot the top by placing the chopped butter pieces throughout the mixture.
- Bake Initially: Cover the dish with its lid and bake for 15 minutes. This will start to soften the squash and apples.
- Add Fruits and Nuts: Remove the dish from the oven, add the raisins, dried cranberries, and pecans. Use tongs or a spoon to gently toss everything together, ensuring the fruit and nuts are integrated well.
- Final Bake: Cover the dish again and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the butternut squash is tender and lightly browned on top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, give it a final stir, and serve warm as a delicious side dish or light dessert.
Notes
- Cooking times may vary depending on your oven; check the squash for tenderness near the end of baking and cook longer if needed.
- You may substitute honey for the brown sugar for a different sweetness profile.
- Acorn squash can be used instead of butternut squash for a variation in flavor and texture.
- Macintosh or any other baking apple can replace Gala apples based on your preference.
- To prepare this recipe in a crockpot, combine all ingredients and cook on high for 90 minutes to 2 hours, or on low for about 3 hours, checking occasionally until the squash is tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
