A bronzed, glossy loaf adorned with thinly sliced delicata squash, creating a crown pattern on top. The crumb reveals vibrant specks of orange squash and contrasting dark pecans.

Delicata Squash Harvest Loaf

Name: Delicata Squash Harvest Loaf
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 Delicata Squash, 1 roasted, seeded, and puréed, save a few thin slices for garnish; All-Purpose Flour, 2 cups; Light Brown Sugar, 1 cup; Olive Oil, 1/2 cup; Eggs, 2; Baking Powder, 1/2 teaspoon; Baking Soda, 1/2 teaspoon; Salt, 1/4 teaspoon; Cinnamon, 1 teaspoon; Nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon; Ground Cloves, 1/4 teaspoon; Ground Ginger, 1/4 teaspoon; Pecans, 1 cup chopped

Category Brunch

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 60 minutes

Style American

Technique Baking

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: November 05, 2023

This innovative recipe takes a comforting classic, the all-American bread, and brings in a sweet & slightly nutty delicacy of the season - the Delicata Squash. This bread brings out the rich, earthy flavors of autumn, making it the perfect treat to celebrate the sunny yet cool weather.

Ingredients (for 4)

1 delicata squash - 1 - roasted, seeded, and puréed, save a few thin slices for garnish
All-purpose flour - 2 cups
Light brown sugar - 1 cup
Olive oil - 1/2 cup
Eggs - 2
Baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon
Salt - 1/4 teaspoon
Cinnamon - 1 teaspoon
Nutmeg - 1/2 teaspoon
Ground cloves - 1/4 teaspoon
Ground ginger - 1/4 teaspoon
Pecans - 1 cup - chopped

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔥🍞🔜

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Meanwhile, grease a loaf pan to prevent your batter from sticking.
Step 2 - 🍚🍬🥄🧂

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and all the spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and ground ginger).
Step 3 - 🥚🍈🥣

In a separate bowl, whisk together the purée of roasted, seeded delicata squash, eggs, and olive oil.
Step 4 - 💧🌰🥣

Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry, until the batter is just combined. Stir in the chopped pecans at this stage.
Step 5 - 🥣🌰🍞

Pour the batter mixture into the greased pan. Ensure a few thin slices of delicata squash are placed on top of the batter for garnish and added flavor during baking.
Step 6 - ⏰🔥🍞

Bake the batter for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the loaf comes out clean. Make sure to monitor closely to prevent overbaking.
Step 7 - ⛔🔪🍞

Once baked, let the loaf cool before proceeding to slice. This will ensure smoother, more uniform slices.

Additional

This loaf can be made ahead and freezes well. To involve kids, let them help with the mixing and laying out the squash slices. For a fun twist, consider adding chocolate chips or swapping pecans for walnuts.