Roasted Delicata Squash With Apples
Ingredients
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- 2 pounds delicata squash – halved, seeded, cut into 0.5-inch-thick half-moons (~2 medium delicata squashes)
- 12 ounces apples – cored, cut into 0.75-inch-thick wedges (~2 medium apples)
- 8 ounces red onion – peeled, cut into 0.5-inch-thick wedges (~1.5 medium red onions)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp fresh thyme – leaves stripped and chopped
- 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Heat the oven to 425°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prep the vegetables: Halve and seed the delicata squash, then slice into 0.5-inch-thick half-moons; core the apples and cut into 0.75-inch-thick wedges; peel the red onion and cut into 0.5-inch-thick wedges.
3. In a large bowl, toss the prepared pieces with the olive oil, maple syrup, fresh thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer on the baking sheet, leaving a little space between pieces.
4. Roast, stirring once halfway, until the vegetables are tender and edges are caramelized, 20–25 minutes; they’re done when a knife slides easily through the squash and the surfaces show browned spots. Serve warm.
Roasted Delicata Squash With Apples brings together the natural sweetness of thin-skinned delicata, the perfume of baking apples, and savory herb notes for a deeply caramelized, cozy side. The squash turns tender with crisped edges while the apples soften just enough to release their juices, creating a glossy, lightly syrupy glaze. A hint of thyme and maple rounds the flavors without tipping into dessert, making it equally at home beside roast poultry, pork, or hearty grains.
The pairing draws on North American fall produce and the long tradition of roasting winter squash alongside orchard fruit. Delicata, a 19th‑century heirloom revived by small growers in the late 20th century, became popular because it needs no peeling and roasts quickly. As farm markets expanded, cooks across the United States began combining it with apples for Thanksgiving tables and cool-weather suppers, a simple preparation that highlights regional harvests and straightforward oven technique.