🍎 Easy Butternut Squash Apple Bake (Mediterranean Style)
Cozy • Sweet–Savory • Fall flavors • Simple & nourishing
📝 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Main Ingredients
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3 cups butternut squash, peeled & cubed
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2 medium apples, sliced (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady)
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1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
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1–2 tbsp honey or pure maple syrup
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1 tsp cinnamon
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1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)
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1/4 tsp cardamom (optional Mediterranean spice)
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Salt & black pepper
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Zest of 1 lemon (Mediterranean brightness)
Mediterranean Add-Ins (optional but wonderful)
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1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
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1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
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Fresh thyme or rosemary (1 tsp, chopped)
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1 tbsp fresh orange juice for extra sweetness
Toppings
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Drizzle of olive oil or honey
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Crumbled feta (Mediterranean twist—optional)
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Fresh mint or parsley
🍽️ Instructions
1. Prep
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Grease a baking dish with olive oil.
2. Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, toss together:
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Butternut squash
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Apple slices
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Olive oil
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Honey/maple
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Cinnamon
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Nutmeg
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Cardamom
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Lemon zest
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Salt & pepper
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Optional herbs (thyme or rosemary)
Stir until everything is evenly coated.
3. Add Mediterranean Extras
Mix in:
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Walnuts or pecans
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Cranberries or raisins
(They caramelize beautifully in the oven.)
4. Bake
Spread mixture evenly in the baking dish.
Bake 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway, until:
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Squash is tender
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Apples are soft
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Edges are caramelized
If you like a deeper caramelization, broil for 2 minutes at the end.
5. Finish
Before serving, top with:
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A drizzle of olive oil or honey
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Fresh mint or parsley
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Optional crumbled feta (AMAZING sweet–salty combo)
🌿 Serving Suggestions
Perfect with:
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Herb-roasted chicken
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Greek yogurt as a side
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Warm couscous or quinoa
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Mediterranean grilled fish
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A holiday table spread
