butternut squash cranberry bake
Butternut squash cranberry bake is one of those simple insanely delicious recipes you’ll love! All the aromas of the holidays without effort!
Butternut Squash Cranberry
Nothing seems more holiday’ish, Fall’ish, Thanksgiving’ish than butternut squash and cranberry recipes!
Butternut Squash Recipes Dinner
Butternut squash recipes for dinner can be created with minimal effort. You can purchase your butternut squash already cut up or even diced. So, you don’t have to wrestle with the squash for preparation. Here’s an idea. Buy diced butternut squash, saute in some butter and a hint of cinnamon until tender. Then toss in with some fresh Parmesan cheese and your favorite pasta noodle. Yes, it’s that simple! Another idea for your butternut squash is soup! Oh, you’ll love this butternut squash and collards soup I make!
Butternut Squash Slices
Honestly, peeling and slicing a butternut squash isn’t easy, especially if you’ve never done it before. But, when I want butternut squash slices, and these come from the ‘neck’ of the squash, that’s what I have to do. And, that’s what I did for this recipe. The thinner you slice the quicker it cooks.
How to Peel Butternut Squash Easily
Here are a couple of options from great sources for peeling your butternut squash. Remember, this is love that’s happening when you’re peeling it!
The skin on the butternut squash is very tough so if you prefer you can pop it in the microwave before you start preparing it for 2-3 mins to make it softer and easier to remove. However, if you’re slow roasting the squash, you can leave the skin on as it is edible and gets softer when baked.
① Prick the skin of the squash all over with a fork.
② Slice off both ends of the squash.
③ Microwave the squash for about 3½ minutes. This softens the skin considerably.
④ Let the squash cool enough to handle, or use a towel to hold it, and simply peel away the skin
Butternut Squash Recipes Healthy
Butternut squash recipes can be super healthy. And, they can totally be keto for you! Butter fried squash with some dried cranberries and spices makes the perfect side with a grilled chicken breast or pork chop. And, this recipe, as you see is just gorgeous for your holiday table.
Baked Butternut Squash Halves
I’ve done whole halves of butternut squash too. And, it’s great. Baked in a hot oven, it just tenderizes and you scoop and eat the sweet flesh from the shell. Much like a baked potato. Here’s my recipe for honey spiced squash bowls that I actually made in the GE Appliances professional kitchen as the #GreatAmericanGrandma!
Butternut Squash Nutrition
Besides just flat out tasty, butternut squash is healthy full you and full of nutrition. It’s a great source of those protective antioxidants like vitamins C, E and beta-carotene. Anti-oxidants are so important in your life and to your health. Remember, these are the little ‘soldiers’ that fight free radicals in the environment. They help slow cellular damage, reduce inflammation and both of these can help reduce your risk of several chronic diseases!
Coat an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray. Put the squash in. Sprinkle the cranberries on top. In a small bowl, combine the honey, marmalade, ginger, allspice, and lemon juice. Blend well. Drizzle on top the squash/cranberries. Remove cover and bake another 10 minutes letting some charring form. Another option is to turn the broiler on for a few minutes. 
butternut squash cranberry bake
Ingredients
Instructions
Cover with doubled foil. Bake in a preheated 400 oven for about 35 minutes.
Gorgeous dish! I’m adding it to my Thanksgiving menu! What is the easiest way to peel acorn squash?
Priscilla! So great to see you, luv! And, I’m thrilled you’re making this for your gorgeous Thanksgiving table. Keep in mind that acorn squash skin is perfectly fine to eat if cooked and tender, so if there’s slivers of skin, no problem. But, here’re a few suggestion. Take a pix!! Sending you and yours tons of Thanksgiving and holiday love! xoxo ~ally
From Tasting Table:
The Super-Simple Trick to Peeling Butternut Squash
Stick the squash in the microwave to soften the skin before peeling.
① Prick the skin of the squash all over with a fork.
② Slice off both ends of the squash.
③ Microwave the squash for about 3½ minutes.
From BBC Good Food: The skin on the butternut squash is very tough so if you prefer you can pop it in the microwave before you start preparing it for 2-3 mins to make it softer and easier to remove. However, if you’re slow roasting the squash, you can leave the skin on as it is edible and gets softer when baked.
From Tasting Table:
① Prick the skin of the squash all over with a fork.
② Slice off both ends of the squash.
③ Microwave the squash for about 3½ minutes. This softens the skin considerably.
④ Let the squash cool enough to handle, or use a towel to hold it, and simply peel away the skin