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Cozy Honeynut Squash with Brown Butter and Thyme: Easy Side Dish

honeynut squash with brown butter - featured image
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This easy side dish features sweet, caramelized honeynut squash halves brushed with nutty brown butter and fragrant thyme. Ready in about 35 minutes, it’s perfect for weeknights or fall gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–5 medium honeynut squash
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
  • 6–8 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon (5g) kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon (1g) freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) maple syrup (optional)
  • Flaky sea salt for finishing (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a rack in the middle position.
  2. Wash the honeynut squash well, pat dry, and cut each in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and stringy bits.
  3. Place squash halves cut-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper. Tuck a few fresh thyme sprigs under the squash if desired.
  4. Roast for 15 minutes.
  5. While squash roasts, make the brown butter: Cut 4 tablespoons unsalted butter into small pieces and place in a small skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly until butter melts, foams, and turns golden-amber with brown specks (about 3-4 minutes). Remove from heat immediately and stir in leaves from 4-5 sprigs of fresh thyme.
  6. After 15 minutes, remove squash from oven. Brush the brown butter mixture generously over the cut sides of each squash half.
  7. Return squash to oven and roast for another 15-20 minutes, until tender when pierced with a fork and edges are deeply caramelized.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, spoon any remaining brown butter from the baking sheet over the squash, and garnish with fresh thyme leaves and flaky sea salt if using. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

For even cooking, choose squash halves of similar size. Brown butter can burn quickly—watch carefully and remove from heat as soon as it turns amber. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: honeynut squash, brown butter, thyme, roasted squash, fall side dish, easy side dish, vegetarian, gluten-free

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/cozy-honeynut-squash-with-brown-butter-and-thyme-easy-side-dish/