Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash

Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Roasted Butternut Squash is quick and easy to make. Filled with autumn flavor, it makes a wonderful addition to your fall and Thanksgiving table.

Butternut squash is my favorite winter squash. 

I have no idea why it’s called butternut squash, but I love its sweet flavor when roasted.

I also adore how versatile it is since you can roast it, puree it, or make butternut squash soup.

With the puree, you can make butternut squash muffins, butternut squash bread, and butternut squash pie! 

Also, since it’s native to Massachusetts, I think it makes the perfect addition to the Thanksgiving table. 

Since I love themes, I try to keep all my Thanksgiving foods native to the Americas and the closer to Plymouth, the better! 

Turkeys, butternut squash, and cranberries are all native to Massachusetts. 

In fact, Plymouth County still has wild turkeys and cranberry bogs.

On my last visit, I even picked a cranberry straight out of the water and ate it fresh.  It was surprisingly tart.

This roasted butternut squash, on the other hand, is sweet without being too sweet.

It’s also filled with classic fall flavors like brown sugar and cinnamon.

Not to mention, its beautiful orange color is a lovely addition to any meal.

Make ahead

The best way to make this recipe ahead of time is to prep by peeling and cutting the squash up to a few days before hand.

Store in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.

When ready to use, remove and cook as directed.

Adjusting for a Convection Oven

Convection ovens blow the hot air around, producing around 25 to 30 percent more heat.

Since convection ovens produce more heat, you need either lowering the temperature or shortening the cooking time to compensate.

When recipes specify temperatures and cooking times, it’s for conventional ovens, unless specified otherwise.

A simple rule to follow is to lower the temperature by 25ºF or 14ºC when baking cookies and pies, and 50ºF or 28ºC when roasting meat and poultry. Some convection ovens offer separate settings for baking and for roasting.

You can also leave the temperature the same and instead, shorten the cooking time by 25 percent. For example, if your recipe calls for 60 minutes in the oven, check the food after 45 minutes instead.

However, keep in mind, some convection ovens actually make a heat adjustment for you. That is, if you set a convection oven for 350ºF, it might actually set itself to 325ºF to compensate. So, check your manual before making adjustments.

WHY IS IT TAKING LONGER THAN DESCRIBED TO Roast?

Over time, the thermostat on ovens gets a little off, causing some ovens to run hot and others to run cool. 

This is why recipes tend to say things like “10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.” 

So, if it takes you longer than expected that’s fine, don’t worry about it, just keep baking until ready.

How to store

Place cooled squash in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate for up to 3 to 5 days.

how to freeze

Place cool cooked squash airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Store for 10 to 12 months for best quality.

After that, it will remain safe to eat, but the quality will begin to degrade.