Sweet and Spicy Roasted Butternut Squash

This sweet and spicy roasted butternut squash is savory and naturally sweet with a hint of spice. It’s the best side dish to welcome fall and uses just a few simple ingredients.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room first though.

Cutting a butternut squash. If you haven’t done it much before, it can seem intimidating, and let’s be honest... slightly terrifying.

I’ll give you a couple of easy tips though to make it seamless every time (and to ensure that you keep all your fingers intact).

Pre-Cut Butternut Squash vs DIY

Some grocery stores do sell pre-chopped butternut squash, but cutting your own eliminates unnecessary plastic waste, which I talk about in 15 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Food Waste.

Also, the more you do it yourself, the more your kitchen skills will improve.

How to Cut Butternut Squash Safely

For starters, cut the stem off the top and the heel off the bottom so you have two flat ends.

To remove the skin, you have two options: peel the tough skin off with a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife (do NOT attempt to do this with a dull knife).

I find that the vegetable peeler works the best and is the safest option.

Using the vegetable peeler method

Keep the butternut squash whole (minus the two ends that you trimmed off). This will make it easier to hold onto while you peel it.

Hold the butternut squash with one hand while you use the other hand to peel the skin away from you. Keep in mind that the skin is quite thick, so you'll want a sturdy vegetable peeler. I recommend using this peeler.

Once the skin is completely removed, cut just above the round end (where it meets the neck).

Then, with the flat end of the neck down, cut in the squash in half.

Next, take the bulb ends, and with the bottom flat side down, cut each bulb into halves.

With a spoon or melon cuber (the edges are sharper than a spoon which makes it easier), scrape out the seeds and stringy bits. Save the seeds to roast later and put the stringy bits into compost. 

Now cut the remaining butternut squash into one inch cubes.

It's time to get your hands dirty! In a large bowl you'll combine the butternut squash with the spices and mix thoroughly until all the pieces are coated.

On a large lined baked sheet, spread the cubes into a single layer.

Now it's ready to roast!

Sweet and Spicy Ingredients

Let's take a look at the ingredients in this simple, but flavorful dish.

• Butternut squash. Roasting butternut squash brings out its natural sweetness and makes it taste SO GOOD. (sorry to yell, but big fan!)
• Ground cinnamon. The cinnamon adds warmth and more natural sweetness.
• Ground cumin. The cumin adds earthiness.
• Ground ginger. The ginger adds a spiciness that compliments and rounds out the sweeter flavors. Reduce the amount to ½ teaspoon if sensitive to spice.
• Coconut sugar (optional). I generally leave it out, but if it's not sweet enough on its own, you can add a little coconut sugar or brown sugar.
• Cayenne pepper. Play up the spice by adding some cayenne pepper for a kick. If you're sensitive to spice, leave it out.

More Butternut Squash Recipes

If you like this sweet and spicy roasted butternut squash, be sure to check out:

• Dairy-Free Lasagna with Butternut Squash Noodles
• 1-Pot Dairy-Free Butternut Squash Risotto
• Maple Glazed Hasselback Butternut Squash