Cardamom-Scented Delicata Squash with Yogurt Sauce

Cardamom-Scented Delicata Squash

There is so much to be thankful for!

Day 7: Thankful for new friends and birthday parties. Thankful for family visiting from out of town, for cuddles with Caitlin and s’mores around the fire pit.

Day 8: Thankful that my brother is home from his adventures in Africa!

Day 9: Thankful for the cool weather of Fall and the opportunity to eat fresh food seasonally, a blessing I know not everyone has. Thankful for Fall squashes.

Like the lovely delicata!

This month for the Secret Recipe Club challenge, I had the pleasure to peruse Culinary Adventures with Camilla, written by the fearless leader of the group B exchange. Camilla cooks recipes from all over the world, which I love! But this month I really wanted to focus on Thanksgiving fare, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try delicata squash, which Camilla says she cooks almost weekly when it’s in season.

This recipe combines two of my favorite things: a hint of warm, spicy cardamom, and sweet, starchy Fall squash. The end result is simple and basic, a perfect complement to the rich and saucy dishes that will litter the Thanksgiving table.

I had kind of hoped to suggest these roasted squash slices in place of candied yams. No offense if candied yams are your favorite thing, but I have always been a little freaked out by adding sugar (marshmallows?) and syrup to sweet potatoes. A lightly spiced, naturally sweet Fall squash seemed like the perfect substitute!

This squash is good by itself, but if you have any intention of replacing all those candied tubers on the Thanksgiving table, I highly recommend adding a lightly sweet, cardamom-spiced yogurt sauce for dipping. Still way healthier than candied yams, but it will meet the need for sweet.

Delicata SquashIt couldn’t be easier to roast up these squash slices. If you can’t find delicata squash at your grocery store or local farmer’s market, then you can substitute acorn squash—but the skin is a bit tougher, and though you can certainly eat it, you will end up with some firmer textures in there.

First, cut the squash in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. You can easily double this recipe, but my family isn’t wild about eating their veggies, so I just cooked up one small squash.

Trim off the ends, then slice the squash into ½″ pieces.

Spice ButterMake a quick spiced butter (salted butter, a pinch of cayenne, a splash of vanilla, and cardamom of course!) and toss the squash slices in it.

SlicesLay the squash on a lined cookie sheet, not touching each other.

Getting FriendlyRoast at 350° for 30 minutes. They should be lightly browned on the bottoms and beautifully fragrant. (Look! Mine slid around and got a little friendly while they roasted…)

Roasted for FallIf you are into dipping sauces, you can whip up a lightly sweet dip with Greek yogurt, melted butter, a little maple syrup, and a hearty dose of cardamom.

Serve the squash slices warm, alongside your other favorite veggies, or with the yogurt sauce.

Cardamom-Scented Delicata Squash with Yogurt Sauce

lightly adapted from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
serves 4

Ingredients:
1 small (1 lb.) delicata squash
2 tbsp. salted butter, melted, divided
½ tsp. ground cardamom, divided
¼ tsp. vanilla extract
pinch of cayenne
pinch of salt
¼ cup Greek yogurt
1 tsp. maple syrup

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°.
Cut the delicata squash in half through the stem and scrape out the seeds. Trim the ends, then slice into ½″ pieces.
Combine 1 tbsp. melted butter, ¼ tsp. cardamom, vanilla, cayenne, and salt in a medium bowl. Add the squash pieces and toss to combine.
Lay the squash in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Roast for 30 minutes, until tender and lightly browned.
Meanwhile, stir together yogurt, maple syrup, the remaining 1 tbsp. melted butter and ¼ tsp. cardamom.
Serve the squash slices with yogurt dipping sauce.

Enjoy!

  1. One year ago: Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms
  2. Two years ago: Mini Kale Soufflés
  3. Three years ago: Pecan-Crusted Salmon
  4. Four years ago: Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Flatbread Pizza

8 comments to “Cardamom-Scented Delicata Squash with Yogurt Sauce”

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  1. culinarycam - November 9, 2015 Reply

    Thanks for posting this! I’m glad you liked them. Love the yogurt sauce, too.

  2. Kate - November 9, 2015 Reply

    I have thought about substituting squash for sweet potatoes many times. This could be the year!! Great SRC choice.

  3. Kelly@WildfloursKitchen.com - November 9, 2015 Reply

    Though I’m not a fan of squash (so not fair! 🙁 ), my hubby would LOVE this! 🙂 Nice SRC choice!! 🙂

  4. Sarah@WellDined - November 9, 2015 Reply

    Oh mah gawd, girl – this looks awesome!

  5. cookaholicwife - November 11, 2015 Reply

    I LOVE cardamom and recently have become a squash addict. I can’t wait to try this!

  6. reneeskitchenadventures - November 11, 2015 Reply

    This looks heavenly! It’s been a while since I’ve made delicata squash. I love how you can eat the entire thing, skin and all. I need to make this soon!

  7. CJ Huang - November 13, 2015 Reply

    That cardamom sounds like a great idea! I always forget how it adds a sweetness without sugar. 🙂 And roasting it with squash is just genius!

  8. chefceaser - February 29, 2016 Reply

    Reblogged this on Chef Ceaser.

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