Caramelized Butternut Squash

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I don’t know about you, but our house is suffering from Thanksgiving cravings.  Usually I can tame the craving with an incredible turkey & sage roll served with a cranberry dipping sauce. I’m not sharing the recipe for the easy Thanksgiving explosion that is so quick to prepare then rolled with Phyllo dough and baked until flaky on the outside… granting instant Thanksgiving satisfaction, sorry.  It’s Monday.

I will, however, share this incredible side dish that I recommend everyone serve at Thanksgiving.  Even if you don’t cook, this is the easiest recipe, impossible to mess up.  The recipe pulls together in less than 5 minutes leaving your counter, stove top and hands free to work on other things.  The squash carries with it the tastes and smells of every happy Thanksgiving memory, rich caramelized butter, dark sugar, cinnamon… it doesn’t get better than this.

Caramelized Butternut Squash
Adapted from Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa

2 medium butternut squash (4-5 lbs total)
6 T butter, melted
1/4 c light brown sugar
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t freshly grated nutmeg
Salt & Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut off and discard the ends of each butternut squash.  Peel the squash, cut them in half lengthwise and remove the seeds.  Cut the squash into 1- 1/4″ to 1- 1/2″ cubes.

Melt the butter in a large mixing bowl.  Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and pepper.  Using clean hands, toss the squash pieces with the ingredients until well coated.

Transfer squash in a single layer to a non-stick baking sheet.  Bake for approximately 30 minutes, just until tender.

I served this with a turkey breast I prepared in the CrockNasty, er… CrockPot.  I got the recipe here, and let me tell you… it was fabulous.

In other news, Project Valour-IT is winding down.  Our goal is to raise $100,000 for our wounded warriors.  You can donate several ways:

• Click on the Valour-IT button on the left side of this page
• Shop to your heart’s content at our e-bay store. Valour-IT has several items listed, the proceeds going to Soldiers’ Angels, Valour-IT.
• Go to Soldiers’ Angels and make a donation to another team (Just don’t tell me… I may just weep).