“You do not have to wait for the holidays to enjoy the flavours of the season. This celebratory recipe brings together all the joyful bounty of Thanksgiving dinner in one stunning dish. The beautiful maple-roasted Hasselback squash takes centre stage, with lots of support from the nutty toasted walnuts and tart cranberries. The Hasselback—thin, close-together slices that stop just short of the base—does not just make the dish look extraordinary. It allows for all those flavours and tidbits to sink into the squash, delivering tasty morsels with every bite.” Hearth & Home by Lynn Crawford and Lora Kirk
Author Lynn Crawford and Lora Kirk, authors of Hearth & Home
Ingredients
Butternut Squash
1large butternut squash
2tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Glaze
¼cuplightly packed brown sugar
1tablespoonmaple syrup
1tablespoonunsalted butter
½teaspoonHarissa Paste
¼teaspooncinnamon
¼teaspoonnutmeg
Thanksgiving Trimmings
1tablespoonunsalted butter
2shallotsminced
2cupsBrussels sprout leaves
½cupdried cranberries
½cuptoasted walnutsroughly chopped
4fresh sage leaveschopped
2tablespoonschopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
ROAST THE BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using a peeler, remove the skin and the white flesh from the squash. Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out and discard the seeds. Rub the olive oil all over the squash, then season with salt and pepper. Place the squash halves cut side down on the prepared baking sheet and roast until the squash begins to soften, about 15 minutes.
MEANWHILE, MAKE THE GLAZE
In a small saucepan, combine the ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
CONTINUE ROASTING THE BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Remove the squash from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice the rounded sides of the squash halves crosswise, ¼ inch thick, going as deep as possible but without cutting all the way through. Return the squash to the baking sheet, and scored the sides up. Spoon half of the glaze over the squash, allowing it to drip into the cuts. Season with salt and pepper.
Roast the squash for 30 minutes, then spoon the remaining glaze over the squash. Roast until the squash is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
MEANWHILE, MAKE THE THANKSGIVING TRIMMINGS
While the squash continues to roast, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the Brussels sprout leaves, cranberries and walnuts. Toss together and cook, stirring, until the leaves turn bright green and are just wilted about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the sage and parsley, then season with salt and pepper.
Transfer the squash to a serving platter. Drizzle over any glaze left on the pan. Top with the Thanksgiving trimmings.