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You are here: Home / Recipes / Side Dishes / Roasted Honeynut Squash

Roasted Honeynut Squash

Published December 22, 2021 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

Roasted honeynut squash in a bowl with text overlay.
Roasted honeynut squash in a bowl with text overlay.
Roasted honeynut squash in a bowl with text overlay.
Two images of roasted honeynut squash in a bowl with text overlay between them.

This 4-ingredient side dish is simple to prepare, plus it’s healthy too. Roasted Honeynut Squash makes a great dish for Thanksgiving starring seasonal produce and sweet caramelized flavor. It’s a wonderful recipe to try if you enjoy eating butternut squash.

Close up of roasted honeynut squash in a white bowl with fresh thyme garnish on it and around the bowl.

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Honeynut squash can be difficult to find in grocery stores sometimes because it’s a special seasonal item. They are only available during the fall from late September to approximately December. I can usually find them at Whole Foods or Sprouts, but I have seen them on rare occasion at my local grocery stores, as well.

You can make all kinds of delicious thanksgiving side dishes using honeynut squash such as Roasted Honeynut Squash with Brown Sugar and Cinnamon.

Honeynuts are like a mini butternut with approximately 2 servings per squash. Since they are so small their flavor and nutrients are highly concentrated compared to a regular butternut squash.

Try swapping butternut squash with honeynut in recipes like Butternut Squash Soup, Butternut Squash Apple Flatbread, Parmesan Lemon Risotto, and Butternut Squash Gratin.

Half of a honeynut squash is the perfect serving size for one person, so there is a lot less chopping involved. It makes a great, easy side dish to serve with simple entrees such as roasted chicken or pork tenderloin. Roasted honeynut squash would taste excellent served alongside Maple Apple Pork Chops, as well.

What Is Honeynut Squash

Honeynut squash is a winter squash, similar to butternut squash. It’s actually a fruit, but is often prepared and served as a vegetable would be.

The honeynut squash was originally developed by Richard W. Robinson of Cornell University in the 1980’s but it didn’t make it to market until another associate professor, Michael Mazourek, helped push it into markets in 2015. You can read all the details of its development in this Wikipedia article.

Honeynuts are no larger than 6 inches in length, making it quite a bit smaller than a butternut. When ripe, they have a dark orange, edible skin and the inside flesh is a bright orange.

The flavor of honeynut squash is described as nutty and sweeter than butternut.

You can prepare honeynut squash in most of the same ways you would any other squash. It can also be used a substitute for butternut squash.

Why This Recipe Works

This dish is very easy. All you need to do is peel and dice the squash, season, and roast until caramelized and tender.

The flavors of this dish create  sweet, nutty, and warm notes of flavor. It’s the perfect flavor profile for a chilly evening.

This recipe is healthy and vegetarian. It’s kid friendly too, thanks to the natural sweetness from the roasted honeynut squash.

How To Make Roasted Honeynut Squash

Ingredients

Ingredients to make roasted honeynut squash with text overlay.

  • Honeynut Squash
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper

The entire recipe and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Preheat your oven to 475°F.

Peel and dice the honeynut squash into 1/2-inch size cubes. Discard the seeds.

Create!

Cubed honeynut squash on a sheet pan with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Place the honeynut squash on a sheet pan and drizzle on the oil. Toss to coat, then spread out the squash and season with salt and pepper.

Roasted honeynut squash on a sheet pan.

Roast for 15-20 minutes, tossing halfway, or until the squash starts to brown and caramelize and is fork-tender.

Present!

Overhead of roasted honeynut squash with thyme on top of it and around the bowl.

Serve as is, or with fresh herbs.

Tips and Techniques

  • Fresh herbs taste great with honeynut squash. Try fresh thyme leaves or sage to compliment this recipe.
  • Store leftover squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3-5 days.

FAQ’s

How Do You Pick A Good Squash At The Store?

Choose a squash that does not have green skin or a green stem. The skin should be smooth and not dried out or wrinkled in appearance.

How Long Do Honeynut Squash Keep?

When stored in a cool, dark place, a honeynut squash can be stored for up to 2-3 months.

Is Honeynut Squash Good For You?

Yes! Honeynut squash have 2 to 3 times the amount of betacarotene than butternut squash. They are low in calories, fat and sugar and provide a good amount of fiber, vitamin A, B vitamins, calcium, iron and more!

More Fall Side Dish Recipes

Roasted Fall Vegetables with Cranberries and Maple Walnuts
This easy-to-make Roasted Fall Vegetables recipe is a delicious blend of savory butternut squash, Brussels sprouts and shallot with bursts of cranberry sweetness in every bite. Maple walnuts add texture and crunch, while optional creamy goat cheese brings a hint of tanginess.
Get The Recipe
Roasted Butternut Squash medley with brussels sprouts, cranberries, walnuts, and goat cheese with a spatula lifting some up
Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots
This recipe for a sweet and savory vegetable medley uses Brussels sprouts, carrots, maple syrup and a couple basic seasonings to create a flavorful side dish. Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots are easy to prepare, deliciously sweet and savory flavored, and a healthy complimentary side dish to serve alongside a variety of main courses.
Get The Recipe
Roasted brussels sprouts and carrots with a wood turner on a baking sheet
Sweet Potatoes and Apples with Cinnamon and Maple
Sweet Potatoes and Apples with Cinnamon and Maple combines tart apples, sweet potatoes and warm cinnamon and spices to make the perfect fall side dish! 
Get The Recipe
Maple Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes and Apples in a white bowl with a fork over a white background

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Close up of diced, roasted honeynut squash in a white bowl with fresh thyme garnish.
Print

Roasted Honeynut Squash

This 4-ingredient side dish is simple to prepare, plus it’s healthy too. Roasted Honeynut Squash makes a great dish for Thanksgiving starring seasonal produce and sweet caramelized flavor. It’s a wonderful recipe to try if you enjoy eating butternut squash.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 138kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 2 honeynut squash (peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • salt (to taste)
  • pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 475°F.
  • Spread the honeynut squash onto a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat.
    2 honeynut squash, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Season with salt and pepper.
    salt, pepper
  • Roast for 15-20 minutes, tossing halfway, or until fork-tender and starting to brown and caramelize.

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • Fresh herbs taste great with honeynut squash. Try thyme leaves or sage to compliment this recipe.
  • Store leftover squash in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3-5 days.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 300mg | Potassium: 835mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 25150IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 2mg

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Filed Under: Gluten Free, Recipes, Side Dishes

Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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