If you love winter squashes, you’re going to love this recipe! Sweet delicata squash is roasted and paired with a creamy and delicious Middle Eastern yogurt sauce.

Roasted Delicata Squash with Middle Eastern Yogurt Sauce - Daisybeet

Have you tried delicata squash?

If you haven’t, you’ve got to pick some up next time you are at the store! It’s one of the tastiest winter squashes to make now that it’s coming into season.

Delicata squash is a cylindrical winter squash with yellow and green striped skin.

It’s name alludes to its delicate skin, which is soft and totally edible when cooked.

Delicata squash has a sweet and mild flavor, similar to other winter squashes.

It’s super easy to make because you don’t need to peel the skin, and it cooks faster than other winter squashes.

To balance out the sweet delicata squash flavor, I paired it with a fresh and spiced Middle Eastern inspired yogurt sauce.

With flavors of tahini, sumac, lemon, and mint, you’re going to love this dish!

Roasted Delicata Squash with Middle Eastern Yogurt Sauce - Daisybeet

How to prepare delicata squash

Do you hate peeling vegetables? This is the squash for you! Since you can eat the skin of delicata squash, there’s no need to peel it.

This squash looks beautiful when cut into circular rings or half moons.

  • To cut them into circular rings as shown in this recipe, start by slicing the squash in half widthwise.
  • Use a small knife to loosen up the seeds inside, and pull them out with a spoon or butterknife. You can keep the seeds to roast and eat, or discard them.
  • Slice into 1/4 inch thick rounds, toss with olive oil and seasonings, and lay out in a single layer on a baking sheet for the oven.
Roasted Delicata Squash  - Daisybeet

Ingredients you need to make this recipe

Here are the ingredients you need for this dish. I’ve noted any substitution recommendations in the descriptions.

  • Delicata squash: In my opinion, this is the easiest and quickest winter squash to prepare. You can use another winter squash, like butternut, honeynut, or kabocha for similar flavor, however you will need to increase the preparation time.
  • Plain Greek yogurt: I used 2% fat Greek yogurt for the sauce.
  • Lemon juice + lemon zest: The juice + zest add zippy flavor and acidity to the yogurt sauce.
  • Fresh mint: Mint is a pretty common herb used in Middle Eastern cooking. It adds freshness and lightness to dishes.
  • Chives: You can use scallions or a clove of garlic for similar results.
  • Sumac: This spice is common in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes. Sumac has a unique tangy, lemony flavor. If you aren’t able to find sumac, try using lemon pepper instead, and reducing the amount of aleppo pepper.
  • Aleppo pepper: If you’re not cooking with aleppo pepper, now is the time to start! This spice adds mild heat, warmth, and slightly fruity flavors to dishes. If you don’t have it, try using crushed red pepper flakes with a dash of cumin.
  • Tahini
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Cinnamon
  • Pepitas and sesame seeds for garnish
Roasted Delicata Squash with Middle Eastern Yogurt Sauce - Daisybeet

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Roasted Delicata Squash with Middle Eastern Yogurt Sauce

  • Author: Alex
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: serves 6
  • Category: side dish

Description

If you love winter squashes, you’re going to love this recipe! Sweet delicata squash is roasted and paired with a creamy and delicious Middle Eastern yogurt sauce.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 delicata squash, deseeded and cut into 1/4 inch thick rings
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Yogurt Sauce

  • 3/4 cup 2% plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp tahini
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice and zest of 1 small lemon
  • 1 handful fresh mint leaves
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
  • 3/4 tsp sumac
  • 1/2 tsp aleppo pepper
  • 1/4 tsp salt

 

  • Mint leaves, pepitas, and sesame seeds for garnish


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 410F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Toss the delicata squash rings in olive oil, cinnamon, and a generous shake of salt and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until fork tender and beginning to brown.
  3. While the squash roasts, prepare the yogurt sauce. Add all the ingredients to a food processor. Blend until well combined, smooth, and creamy.
  4. To serve, smear a big scoop of the yogurt sauce onto a plate. Arrange the delicata squash on top of the yogurt sauce. Garnish with more fresh mint leaves, pepitas, sesame seeds, and sumac.

Notes

You can prepare this dish ahead of time. Store the yogurt and squash separately. Reheat the squash in the oven at 300F for 10-15 minutes until warm, then plate with the yogurt sauce.

 

Keywords: delicata squash, roasted delicata squash, middle eastern yogurt sauce, gluten free

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Roasted Delicata Squash with Middle Eastern Yogurt Sauce - Daisybeet