After I finished testing this recipe, I made it again and again over the next three days. It was absolutely addictive. The butter and brown sugar glaze creates a subtle sweetness, while the cranberries and ham add a beautiful contrast of tart and savory. There are simply not enough meals in a day.
Craisin Ham Butternut Squash Recipe
| WHAT YOU NEED | WHAT TO DO | WHY |
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Evenly butter the interior of a half sheet pan; set aside. Center an oven rack; preheat to 400°F Convection (verify with an oven thermometer). Meanwhile… | Butter adds essential flavor to this dish. Internal oven thermostats are often improperly calibrated. |
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Spread prepared squash in a single layer with shoulder room on the sheet pan, allowing plenty of shoulder space. | Shoulder room promotes the Maillard (my YARD) reaction (browning), which adds rich flavor. |
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Sprinkle garlic, cranberries, and ham amongst the squash. Keep garlic away from pan edges to avoid burning. | Large pieces of garlic are less likely to burn during roasting but are still susceptible at the edges. |
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Sprinkle evenly over everything on the sheet pan. It seems like a lot of salt, but without it, the flavor will be a little flat. Bake until squash is glistening and fork tender (~18 minutes). Toss before serving to redistribute moisture. Serve hot. | Brown sugar adheres to squash better than maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar, but they substitute brown sugar, if necessary. |
Additional Testing Notes: Acorn squash has inferior color and texture. Pumpkins have inferior taste and texture. Sweet potatoes are not quite as sweet or nutty.
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Looks so yum! Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome! It is so easy, and yet looks and tastes impressive. Wonderful for the Holidays!