Roasted delicata squash is the easiest Fall side dish. No peeling, cooks relatively quickly, and it tastes great with a lot of different things. I wanted to make a “deluxe” version of my go-to veggie side, something that could be an appropriate and unique addition to a holiday table, but is also just nice to serve any old time! For more delicata excellence, check out my sheet pan salad.

I make a quick stovetop granola with rosemary, olive oil, a bit of maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Granola in a savoury format is so fun for vegetable sides and Fall salads. Something about the toasted oats with herbs is just so lovely with the hearty cold weather veg. Towards the end, I simmer some maple syrup with bright and acidic sumac and ground chillies to drizzle over the mellow squash.

Honestly, this comes together like a vegetable sundae in a way. We swoop soft, creamy, dairy-free cultured cashew cheese on the base of the plate (I used Treeline’s soft French style cheese in the scallion flavour–my fave right now!). That gets topped with the roasted squash pieces. I drizzle the spiced syrup over everything, and then we finish with the crisp rosemary granola. So many layers of flavour and texture! It’s creamy, crunchy, mellow and bright with a kiss of sweet heat.

More Vegan Squash Recipes

• Crispy Squash Bowl with Vegan Dill Cream
• Butternut Minestrone with Sage, Chickpeas & Chard
• Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Chickpeas & Garlicky Arugula Cream
• Vegan Butternut Galette with Gluten Free Black Pepper Crust
• Creamy Butternut Orzo with Crispy Maple Mustard Brussels Sprouts

Truly can’t believe that the season of squash is 100% here. Enjoy, friends!

Roasted Delicata Squash with Spiced Maple & Rosemary Granola

This roasted delicata squash is such a beautiful veggie side dish! Golden slices of delicata squash are piled on top of soft vegan cheese, and then drizzled with a spiced maple syrup, and finished with crisp, savoury rosemary granola. This dish comes together with 10 main ingredients in 40 minutes. Perfect as a unique side for a holiday gathering or just a nice Fall dinner.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 55 minutes mins

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 2 delicata squashes (800 grams)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
• ¾ cup rolled oats
• 3 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
• 2 teaspoons nigella seeds (optional)
• ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon maple syrup, divided
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• ½ teaspoon ground chillies or chili flakes
• ½ teaspoon ground sumac
• 2 ½ oz (70 grams) soft dairy-free cheese (done in the style of a ricotta or other spreadable cheese, see notes)
• fresh lemon juice, for serving

Notes

• The spiced maple syrup and savoury granola treatment would work well with basically any type of roasted squash. Honeynut, butternut, acorn, kabocha etc!
• You could definitely make the rosemary granola ahead of time. Just store the fully cooled granola in a jar on the counter for 5-6 days. The spiced maple syrup thickens considerably, so I do recommend making that right before you need it.
• I used Treeline’s soft French style cheese in the scallion flavour as my soft vegan cheese of choice.

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Cut the ends off of the delicata squashes and then cut them in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds. Cut each half into ½ inch slices. Place the slices on the baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Spread out in an even layer and then roast until golden brown and soft, about 40 minutes. Flip the pieces over at the halfway point.
• While squash is roasting make the rosemary granola. Place a medium saute pan over medium heat. Combine the rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, and nigella seeds (if using) in the saute pan and stir until a toasty aroma develops and the pumpkin seeds are beginning to pop, about 5 minutes.
• Push the toasted oats and seeds to the outer edge of the pan. Then, add the remaining olive oil, 1 tablespoon of the maple syrup, the rosemary, and some salt and pepper into the center of the pan. Quickly stir that up and then stir it all into the oats and seeds until evenly coated. Keep the pan over medium heat, stirring constantly for another 2 minutes. Then, turn off the heat and transfer the granola to a plate to cool and crisp up.
• Rinse and wipe out the pan and return it to medium heat. Pour in the remaining ⅓ cup of maple syrup, the chillies, sumac, and a few grinds of black pepper. Let it come to a boil, and then lightly simmer this mixture for about 3 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Take it off the heat.
• To serve, spread the soft vegan cheese out on the base of your serving plate/platter. Arrange the warm roasted delicata squash on top of the soft cheese. Drizzle the squash with the spiced maple syrup and sprinkle the rosemary granola on top. Serve with a hearty lemon wedge on the side.

Author: Laura Wright

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Keyword: 10 ingredients, chili flakes, chillies, delicata squash, herbs, holiday entertaining, holidays, lemon, lemon juice, maple syrup, nigella seeds, oats, olive oil, pumpkin seeds, rosemary, squash, sumac, vegan cheese