10/26/2026
Looking for a smooth tasting and nearly effortless winter squash? Then elegant, pinstriped delicata’s the squash for you! Slice into this squash’s thin, edible skin and you’ll see that its name (“delicate”) is well-earned.
Delicatas have a creamy texture and mild flavor. They’re commonly sliced into crescents and roasted. Aim for slices between ¼ and ½ inch thick; thicker slices may not cook all the way through before caramelizing, while thinner slices may get too crispy. (Stuffed and roasted delicatas are hard to beat, too; tasty stuffing options include black beans, quinoa, and even diced apples. 😋)
The Sweet and Hot Roasted Delicata recipe below can be adapted to your preferred spice level. I made it with hot honey and cayenne pepper, but feel free to sub regular honey (or a mix of regular and hot honey) and adjust the spices to suit your preferred heat level. (Want to make your own hot honey? Simmer ½ cup honey, 2 tablespoons dried hot pepper flakes, and ½ tablespoon apple c***r vinegar on the stove for 5 minutes. Steep for 10 minutes before straining out the flakes.)
Sweet and Hot Roasted Delicata (serves 4 as a side dish)
Ingredients and equipment
• 2 lbs delicata squash (~2 medium or 1 large squash)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp hot or regular honey
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• Dash of cayenne (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Baking sheet
• Aluminum foil
• Non-stick cooking spray
Steps
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Slice delicata in half, remove seeds, then cut halves into ½ inch slices.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, and cayenne (optional).
4. Add delicata slices and gently toss to coat.
5. Place the squash slices in a single layer on a foil-covered and non-stick sprayed baking sheet.
6. Bake for ~25 minutes, flipping after ~12 minutes, or until the slices are caramelized.
7. Add salt to taste and serve as-is for a side dish or diced on top of kale, spinach, couscous, or grits for an entrée. Garnish with a drizzle of hot honey and sprinkle of cinnamon or cayenne.
