How to Roast Butternut Squash (Not Mushy), by Garlic and Zest on YouTube. 2 min 14 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 14 s
- Time to do it
- 40 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Heat the oven to 425 F. Spray a half sheet pan with vegetable spray, or divide between two quarter sheet pans, and set aside.
Peel the butternut squash, cut it in half, scoop out the seeds and chop the flesh into 1 inch cubes.
Put the cubes in a mixing bowl. Add 2 teaspoons chopped rosemary, 2 teaspoons chopped thyme, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and toss with a rubber spatula until every piece is coated.
Spread the squash on the pan in a single layer with space between the pieces. Crowding steams the squash and makes it mushy.
Roast for 20 minutes, until the bottoms start to brown.
Pull out the pan and flip the pieces with a spatula. Scatter over 1 minced garlic clove, toss to coat and spread back into a single layer.
Roast another 10 minutes, until the edges are deeply golden and a bit sticky.
Take the pan from the oven and squeeze lemon juice over the hot squash. Toss well and move to a serving bowl.
Tips and common mistakes
Cut the cubes the same size so they finish roasting at the same time.
Add the garlic only in the last 10 minutes, or it burns and turns bitter.
Use a pan with a rim and leave gaps between pieces so heat circulates and the edges caramelize.
The pan and oven are hot, so use oven mitts and keep the squash away from the oven's heating element.
Questions
Why does my roasted butternut squash turn out mushy?
Usually the oven is too low or the pieces are packed together. Use 425 F and a single layer with space between the cubes so they brown instead of steam.
Can I roast the squash without peeling it?
Yes, but the skin stays tough. For soft, caramelized cubes, peel it first with a Y-peeler and cut into even 1 inch pieces.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Roast it earlier in the day, then reheat on a sheet pan at 400 F for about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the lemon juice just before serving.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
