Roasted delicata squash with rosemary

Roasted delicata squash with rosemary is an easy vegan side dish for Thanksgiving or any random weeknight. Gluten-free.

When the topic of squash comes up this time of year, invariably it’s pumpkin that gets all of the love. Pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pie, even pumpkin smoothies…

Pumpkin gets the fanfare, but delicata is easily my favorite.

This oblong, cream colored squash with green stripes is the one squash that goes into my shopping basket regularly in the cool months of fall and winter.

(It’s also nice to have around, because like other winter squashes, it’s very shelf stable. You can keep it in a cool, dry place for up to three months.)

Why is delicata squash the best?

It’s easy to cut.

Delicata tends to be smaller in size than a lot of other squashes. So you don’t need to be a weightlifter to press a chef’s knife through it.

You don’t have to peel it.

With delicata, you can eat the skin. No worries about trying to cut off the cumbersome peel.

Plus, that means you get added texture, because it’s not just soft. The peel gets a little bit of chew to it.

It can easily go into savory dishes like a champ.

It is a mildly sweet squash that’s reminiscent of sweet potato.

Every Thanksgiving, I add it to my autumnal salad with persimmons, squash, and caramelized onions.

It’s great sliced thin in vegan polenta stacks with cashew cream.

I’ve even used it in tacos and as a pizza topping.

Serve delicata instead of potatoes with vegan breakfast tacos. Of course, don’t forget the avocado!

It is wonderful on a pizza with browned Field Roast apple sage sausages, caramelized onions, and sautéed kale.

It’s also a fun addition to a fall-themed vegan cheeseboard.

How do you prepare it?

To prepare roasted delicata squash, cut off both ends.

Slice it in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds, just like you do with your Halloween jack o’ lantern.

Then cut the squash into half moons.

Throw the slices on a parchment paper covered baking sheet. Toss it with oil, rosemary, and salt.

Pop it into the oven for 20 minutes. Flip the slices. Then roast for 10 minutes more. 

Can you air fry it?

Yes! It cooks beautifully in the air fryer. Cook at 400 degrees for 9 to 12 minutes.

Be careful not to overcrowd the basket, because it won’t brown as evenly. Cook in batches, if necessary.

Roasted delicata squash with rosemary

Roasted delicata is a breeze to make. It's a wonderful fall side dish that's perfect for Thanksgiving. Serve it on its own, with salads, or even as a pizza topping.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Vegan

Keyword: fall food, roasted vegetable, thanksgiving recipe

Prep Time: 6 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 36 minutes

Servings: 2 people

Calories: 94kcal

Author: Cadry Nelson

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 delicata squash medium-sized
• ▢ 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• ▢ Pinch salt

Instructions

• ▢
  Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 
• ▢
  Slice the top and bottom off of the delicata, and then cut it in half length-wise.  Use a spoon to remove the seeds. Then cut it into half moon slices, about a half inch thick.  Make sure the pieces are equal in size, so that they cook evenly.  Move the slices to a parchment paper covered baking sheet.
• ▢
  Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the slices, and rub it over the pieces.  Spread the delicata slices evenly across the baking sheet. (You don't want the pieces to overlap, or they won't brown as well.)
• ▢
  Sprinkle the rosemary over the squash, breaking the dried rosemary with your fingers as you spread it. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over it as well.
• ▢
  Move the baking sheet to the oven and roast for 20 minutes, flip the slices, and roast for 10 more minutes. Remove from oven and serve.

Video

Notes

Depending on how thinly you slice the squash & how much moisture it has in it, your squash may require less time. Once one side has browned, flip the slices, and roast 10 more minutes.

The squash can be cooked in the air fryer instead. To air fry, cook at 400 degrees for 9 to 12 minutes, stopping once to shake the basket. Be careful not to overcrowd the basket, or it won't brown as evenly. Cook in batches, if needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 792mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3095IU | Vitamin C: 27.9mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Tried this recipe?Tag @cadryskitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #cadryskitchen!

Originally posted October 2009. Content and photos updated October 2019.