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Maple-Roasted Delicata Squash with Pecans

A light maple glaze meets browned delicata squash, a touch of cider vinegar, and pecans added at the last moment for crunch.

Browned delicata squash half-moons with edible skin are topped with toasted pecans and fresh thyme.

Delicata makes a low-fuss side because its thin skin is meant to be eaten. Roasting the half-moons in a single layer browns their edges before a restrained maple drizzle turns glossy.

Let the skin stay

A good scrub is all the squash needs before cutting. The skin softens in the oven and helps each half-moon hold its shape when you turn it on the pan.

Build color before sweetness

Let the first roast establish browned patches before adding maple. The light drizzle then clings as a thin glaze instead of scorching or collecting in a sugary puddle.

Olive-oil-seasoned delicata half-moons with pepper and thyme are spaced across a sheet pan. — Seasoned delicata half-moons lie in a single layer on the sheet pan before roasting.

Toast the pecans separately

A quick dry-skillet toast brings out the pecans' aroma while the squash finishes in the oven. Moving the nuts off the hot skillet stops them from darkening, and adding them after plating protects their crunch.

Finish sweet and savory

Cider vinegar sharpens the maple just enough to keep the side from tasting candied. A little thyme adds an earthy note that connects the toasted nuts with the squash's browned edges.

A close view shows glossy golden squash, tender edible skin, crisp pecans, and flecks of thyme. — Golden squash edges carry a light maple sheen beneath crisp toasted pecans and thyme.

Maple-Roasted Delicata Squash with Pecans

4 servings

39 minutes total

Ingredients

• 2 delicata squash (about 2 lb)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, divided
• 1/2 cup pecan halves, roughly chopped
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Method

Heat the oven
Set a rack in the center and heat the oven to 425 F; line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment if easy cleanup is useful.
Look for: The oven is fully preheated before the squash goes in.
Cut the squash
Scrub the delicata squash well, halve each lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds; leave the edible skin on and slice the halves crosswise into 1/2-inch half-moons.
Look for: The skin is clean and each half-moon is a similar thickness for even roasting.
Season the squash
Toss the squash with olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, and 1/2 tsp of the thyme until the cut surfaces are lightly coated, then spread in one uncrowded layer.
Look for: Every slice has a slight sheen, and pieces are not piled on top of one another.
Roast until browned
Roast the squash at 425 F for 14 minutes, leaving the pieces undisturbed so the pan-facing edges can brown before turning.
Look for: The underside has caramel-brown patches and releases from the pan without tearing.
Toast the pecans
While the squash roasts, toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes, shaking often; transfer them to a plate as soon as they smell nutty.
Look for: The pecans smell fragrant and show a little color but are not dark or oily.
Glaze and finish roasting
Turn each squash half-moon, drizzle the maple syrup lightly over the pan, and roast for 10 minutes more until the centers are tender and the edges have deeper golden spots.
Look for: A fork slides into the thickest piece easily, and the restrained maple coating looks glossy rather than pooled.
Balance the glaze
Take the pan from the oven and drizzle the cider vinegar over the squash, turning the pieces gently with a thin spatula so the tang balances the maple without breaking them.
Look for: The pan smells sweet and savory with a faint bright edge, not sharply vinegary.
Add the crisp pecans
Transfer the squash to a warm platter, scatter the toasted pecans and remaining thyme over it, and serve while the nuts are crisp and the edges are warm.
Look for: Pecans remain on top instead of softening in the moist glaze, and the squash skin is tender enough to eat.