This Roasted Butternut Squash {Cinnamon & Walnuts} is my husband’s favorite autumn spiced vegetable recipe. I love that it is so easy to make & healthy for our family! The sweetness of the squash is complimented with a touch of honey & the walnuts give this dish a nice crunch. (Paleo, GAPS, SCD, AIP)
Each fall, I make this Roasted Butternut Squash {Cinnamon & Walnuts} for our family. My husband absolutely LOVES this recipe. We began enjoying it since squash became available this year in mid-September. It’s about time I share it with all of you!
So stock up on squash (it stores in a cool garage for months) & enjoy this easy, fall themed side dish. Be sure to check your local farmer’s markets or nearby farmers for great deals on squash. I was able to purchase almost 100 pounds of squash for $0.59/pound (no-spray!) this year.
Butternut squash can be a bit of pain to peel & cut. It usually takes me a solid 15 minutes from start to finish. Here are my tips:
- Use a heavy-duty peeler
- Cut the squash in half lengthwise using a large, sharp knife
- Scoop out the seeds with a metal spoon
- Slice (as shown above) & then dice using a large butcher knife
Once you get through that, the rest is super easy—just toss all the ingredients in a bowl, pour onto cookie sheets, and bake!
As you can see in the picture, I’m using my large stone bar pans to make this Roasted Butternut Squash {Cinnamon & Walnuts}. I absolutely love my stone pans (I’ve had the same two pans for the last 10 years) because they are versatile & nothing ever sticks to them. Feel free to use a well greased or lined 9 x 13 pan if you haven’t taken the plunge for a stone bar pan yet.
Butternut squash is a little sweet tasting all by itself; however, my recipe calls for just a touch of honey. We like (and the kids like REALLY, REALLY LOVE) to eat honey. And did you know that honey has some very unique health benefits?
- Blunting glycemic response & reducing glucose intolerance (1)
- Natural honey is capable of lowering plasma glucose, C-reactive protein and homocysteine in healthy, diabetic and hyperlipidemic subjects (2)
- Honey is rich in probiotics & probiotics (3) (4)
- Organic honey is very nutrient dense (5)
- Honey contains diastase (a starch-digesting enzyme like amylase) which is “believed to contribute to clearing antigen-antibodies associated with allergies to pollens, while also reducing mast cell degranulation and inflammation associated with histamine exposure and allergic symptoms.” (5)
When sourcing honey, our family looks for raw, unpasteurized honey that is preferably also local & organic. I have also found raw honey from Costco & Azure Standard.
This Roasted Butternut Squash {Cinnamon & Walnuts} goes great with:
- Pan Seared Filet Mignon with Rosemary & Garlic
- Easy Homemade Meatloaf {Gluten & Egg Free}
- Black Bean Brownies {Vegan & Gluten Free}
- Cheese-less Cheesecake
Don’t forget to save this Roasted Butternut Squash {Cinnamon & Walnuts} to your favorite Pinterest board for later!
Roasted Butternut Squash {Cinnamon & Walnuts}
This Roasted Butternut Squash {Cinnamon & Walnuts} is my husband's favorite autumn spiced vegetable recipe. I love that it is so easy to make & healthy for our family! The sweetness of the squash is complemented with a touch of honey & the walnuts give this dish a nice crunch. (Paleo, GAPS, SCD, AIP)
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash about 1 1/2 - 2 pounds
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
- 1/4 cup refined coconut oil or avocado oil
- 1/4 cup honey raw, organic
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp nutmeg ground
- 1 dash allspice ground
- 1 dash cloves ground
- 2 Tbsp water filtered
- 1 medium apple diced (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375 F. Peel squash with heavy-duty peeler.
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Cut in half lengthwise with a large, sharp knife.
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Scoop the seeds out and discard.
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Cut squash into cubes & place into a large mixing bowl. Add chopped walnuts. Add diced apple (optional).
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Melt coconut oil in small saucepan over low heat. Turn off heat & add remaining ingredients.
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Pour oil & spice mixture out of saucepan over the squash cubes and mix until well combined.
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Pour squash cubes into well greased, lined, or seasoned baking sheets. Distribute evenly & use convection bake if possible.
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Bake 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to one week.
Tools used to make this recipe (click photo or link to learn more):
Don’t forget to save this Roasted Butternut Squash {Cinnamon & Walnuts} to your favorite Pinterest board for later!
References:
(1) Larson-Meyer, D. E., Willis, K. S., Willis, L. M., Austin, K. J., Hart, A. M., Breton, A. B., & Alexander, B. M. (2010, October). Effect of honey versus sucrose on appetite, appetite-regulating hormones, and postmeal thermogenesis. Retrieved October 17, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21504975
(2) Al-Waili, N. S. (2004). Natural honey lowers plasma glucose, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and blood lipids in healthy, diabetic, and hyperlipidemic subjects: comparison with dextrose and sucrose. Retrieved October 17, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15117561?_ga=2.151777213.562177379.1508276318-638579668.1508276318
(3) Ellegaard, K. M., Tamarit, D., Javelind, E., Olofsson, T. C., Andersson, S. G., & Vásquez, A. (2015, April 11). Extensive intra-phylotype diversity in lactobacilli and bifidobacteria from the honeybee gut. Retrieved October 17, 2017, from https://bmcgenomics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12864-015-1476-6?_ga=2.148004915.562177379.1508276318-638579668.1508276318
(4) Shamala, T., Jyothi, Y. S., & Saibaba, P. (2001, December 25). Stimulatory effect of honey on multiplication of lactic acid bacteria under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Retrieved October 17, 2017, from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1472-765x.2000.00746.x/abstract?_ga=2.256460943.562177379.1508276318-638579668.1508276318
(5) What Is The Healthiest Energy Bar? (2017, October 09). Retrieved October 17, 2017, from https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/article/nutrition-articles/what-is-the-healthiest-energy-bar/
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