I think you’ll agree that the very best recipes are the ones that you just came up with on the spot. They’re usually not recipes at all. Just a little of this and a little of that. Am I right?
These addictive healthy baked butternut squash fries are a great example. I whipped them up in no time, and they were gone in minutes! They’re the perfect side for a healthy burger or light dinner of grilled chicken.
What are some of your favorite last minute “no-recipe” dishes? Share them with me in the comments below!
Healthy Baked Butternut Squash Fries
1 butternut squash, cut into sticks*
extra virgin olive oil
garlic powder
chili powder
smoked paprika (use regular paprika if you don’t have)
kosher salt
Method:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place the butternut squash sticks into a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic, chili, smoked paprika and salt. Mix the squash until well-coated with spices and oil. Place the fries on a rack set over a baking sheet (if you don’t have a rack, place directly on baking sheet). Bake until crispy and tender, about 30 minutes.
*To cut sticks out of your butternut squash, look for a squash with a long “neck” or top portion. Separate the top from the bulb (set the bulb aside for soup or cut into wedges and bake with the fries). Cut the top off of your squash and stand it up on your cutting board. Cut the sides off the squash to create a square shape. Slice the square into slices and cut each slice into sticks.
TIP: To get the best crunch out of baked fries, place them on a rack set over a baking sheet. This allows the heat to circulate around the fries, so that they get nice and crunchy.
DOUBLE TIP: When baking fries, make sure not to overcrowd the pan. This creates “steam” and the fries will come out soggy.
silly question: what does a ‘rack’ look like?
like this
love the spices you used for these fries!
Yum!! Always made sweet potato fries, but I love this idea too!
I LOVE how you made this savory instead of sweet!
i think i’m going to bake my fries (bakes) on racks from now on!
I love this! So simple, sweet and healthy. Great job cutting the sticks so evenly from a butternut squash!
I love how crisp and delicious they look.
yes, yes, simple and delicious. I found this amusing particularly since I posted something similar: http://ronniefein.com/post/64018254201/few-side-dishes-are-easier-than-this-one-this
Looks delicious! I wanted to stay away from cinnamon because I find that butternut squash is so often paired with it and I want something purely savory.
Congrats! This recipe has ALSO been nominated to win my Inspired Recipe of the Year Award. The shortlist will be announced on 12/30/2013.
Congrats on multiple nominations!