This Roasted Butternut Squash recipe is surprisingly delicious! If you are looking for an alternative to butternut squash soup or plain roasted butternut squash, you need to try this one too!
Butternut Squash Appetizer – Pesto Rounds
This was the first year we did our Thanksgiving Clean eating challenge! (Wondering what Clean Eating is? Read this: The Clean Eating Diet). If you aren’t familiar with the challenge, readers were asked to submit one of their favorite Thanksgiving recipes that were in need of a makeover. In exchange, I would adjust the recipe to make a clean eating compliant recipe. This recipe for Butternut Squash Rounds is the first recipe in the challenge!
The Original Thanksgiving Recipe
When a reader submitted a recipe for Sweet Potato rounds, I was very excited! They sounded delicious and they were relatively simple to make. The reader described these as an alternative to sweet potato casserole. We used to make Sweet Potato Casseroles for Thanksgiving but no one ever ate it! We gave up on different recipes and just eliminated sweet potatoes from the spread.
The original recipe consisted of a slice of sweet potato baked with a melted marshmallow and pecan on top. I love that this would be easy to eat at a party. But with the marshmallow, this dish was in need of a makeover.
Roasted Butternut Squash Appetizer
This Butternut Squash appetizer recipe uses the same concept as the one originally submitted. I couldn’t come up with a good substitute for the marshmallow so I decided to go a different direction! Rather than sweet, this dish is savory but still delicious and equally impressive.
The very first step is to toast 1/2 cup of pine nuts in a pan over medium-low heat. Toast for about 5 minutes or until browned. Be very careful not to burn the nuts. Place on a plate and cool.
Using a vegetable peeler or knife, peel the butternut squash. Slice the neck of a butternut squash into rounds. Save the bottom of the butternut squash for a different recipe.
Add a spoonful of pesto on top of each round and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and Romano Cheese. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the butternut squash is tender.
Serve as an appetizer or a side dish! These butternut squash rounds are sure to be a hit. I know we couldn’t stop eating them…
Wow, what a combination. I would guess the pesto is the dominant flavor. Will have to try it!
I want to try these appetizers!
Nice to offer healthier options but I’m still about the potatoes and stuffing!
I know what you mean…the carbs are my fav!!
My husband and I would both love these, but I don’t think I could get anyone else to join us. My kids are very adventurous eaters but both hate squash with a passion.
These look tasty and seem simple enough for me to master! Pinning for later!
I agree, best to dispense with the overly saccharine Sweet Potato Casserole side dish few folks seem to care for. This looks like a very tasty substitute!
Yum! Looks so tasty. I love butternut squash and pesto, but never thought of combining the two.
What a great appetizer and it looks lovely on the serving dish!
mmmm I just love butternut squash. I might have to try this!
Yummy! Looks like a good recipe for Thanksgiving!
Those look amazing!! Definitely going on my recipe list.
Those look delicious.
I’ve never thought of doing that with squash. They look so good, and they are pretty to serve at a party, too! I will have to try these this holiday season.
I’ve never seen anything like this before. You’re right they would make a great Thanksgiving appetizer. so festive and fancy looking. I love pesto too
Yum! Looks good and sounds easy to make with only a few ingredients.
I’m all about simple ingredients! 😊
Looks delicious 😋!
Thanks!
These look amazing! I’m always on the lookout for healthier alternatives to the same old same old carb laden food. I wonder if the kids would eat these…
The kids probably won’t eat them 🙂 But at least the adults won’t feel as guilty indulging!
These look delicious! And super easy, which is basically a requirement for anything I make. Lol!
Lol, same here! It doesn’t need to be complicated!
I’m not a huge fan of butternut squash. I’ll have to give this a try and see if it changes my mind.
Let me know if you change your mind!
These look so pretty and tasty!
This look so delicious and beautiful! We have a lot of gatherings coming up, I’ll definitely keep these in mind to make!
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Thank you! I appreciate your comment! 🙂