Are you familiar with delicata squash? Delicata squash is considered a winter squash along with its cousins, which include butternut squash, spaghetti squash, and acorn squash. Delicata has a thinner skin and a smaller, more oblong shape, so it’s much easier to handle than the others.

I love delicata squash for its cute scalloped edges and hearty texture. It tastes lightly sweet and earthy, like a cross between spaghetti squash and acorn squash. Delicata squash is a great addition to fall salads and whole grain bowls.

Roasting delicata squash is the quickest and easiest way to enjoy this variety. The squash is dense, but turns nice and tender in the oven while the edges caramelize.

The only downside to delicata squash is that it doesn’t store as long as the other winter squash varieties. Now is the time to enjoy delicata squash!

Roasted Delicata Squash Notes & Tips

Delicata squash is easy to prepare.

Compared to its bulkier relatives, like spaghetti squash and pumpkin, delicata is a breeze to slice. Delicata squash is smaller, so you’ll need to use two to three delicatas to replace a larger squash.

Choose between rounds or half-moon shapes.

Either way you slice delicata squash, you end up with very cute shapes with scalloped outer edges. I love rounds because they almost look like flowers. Half-moons are slightly easier to prepare, however. You’ll find instructions for each option included in the recipe below.

You can eat the skin.

The skin on delicata squash is thinner than the other winter squash varieties. Once roasted, it softens and offers a subtle textural difference. The more fiber the better, right? (Contrary to common belief, you can also eat the skin on roasted butternut squash.)

Complimentary Flavors for Delicata Squash

Recipes featuring delicata squash tend to lean one of two ways. First, delicata lends well to classic fall Thanksgiving-style fare. See this Roasted Delicata Squash, Pomegranate and Arugula Salad as a prime example.

Second, delicata squash is also fantastic in Mexican-style meals, offering a sweet and hearty component that balances the spice. See this Chipotle-Glazed Delicata Squash as proof. Squash is, after all, native to North and Central America.

Delicata squash is a versatile ingredient that doesn’t overpower. Here’s a thorough list of complementary ingredients so you can craft your own meal.

Accents: Bread crumbs, dates, dried cranberries, garlic, lime or orange juice, tahini, cream or yogurt
Cheese: Feta, goat cheese, mozzarella and Parmesan
Chili peppers: Chipotle peppers and jalapeños
Fresh herbs: Cilantro, mint, parsley, sage and thyme
Nuts: Almonds, pistachios, pecans, walnuts and pine nuts
Onions: Red, yellow and green
Produce: Apples, beets, kale, pomegranates and mushrooms
Spices: Allspice, anise, cayenne, chili powder, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, nutmeg
Sweeteners: Honey, maple syrup and brown sugar
Whole grains: Brown rice and quinoa
Vinegar: Apple cider or balsamic vinegar

More Seasonal Vegetables to Roast

These roasted vegetables are perfect for cozy autumn meals:

Please let me know how you serve your roasted delicata squash in the comments! I love hearing from you.

Perfect Roasted Delicata Squash

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Author: Cookie and Kate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Side dish
Method: Roasted
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan

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5 from 5 reviews

Follow this simple recipe, and your roasted delicata squash will turn out tender on the inside and caramelized on the outside. Recipe yields 4 servings.

Scale

Ingredients

2 medium delicata squash (about 2 pounds total)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon fine salt

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
To prepare the squash, slice off the stem end and discard. Decide if you want half-moon shapes or rings. For half moons, slice the squash lengthwise down the middle and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Then place the cut sides down and slice across the ridges to make ½″ thick pieces. For rings, slice the squash into ½″ thick rounds and use a spoon to scoop the seeds out of each round.
Place the sliced delicata squash on your rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle the salt on top. Toss until the squash is lightly and evenly coated in oil (add another splash if the squash seems dry), then arrange them in a single layer.
Bake for about 25 to 35 minutes or until the squash is tender and golden, flipping halfway. Serve as desired.

Notes

Note on seeds: You can roast the seeds if you’d like to separate them from the pulp. Refer to my roasted pumpkin seeds recipe for details.

▸ Nutrition Information

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Perfect Roasted Delicata Squash