A striking dish boasting bold autumn colors: vibrant glossy orange butternut squash cubes sit prettily next to vibrant red cranberry jewels, sprinkled with dark green tarragon leaves. The squash and cranberries gently sit on a crisp walnut-studded bed of quinoa.

Tarragon-Infused Spiced Butternut Squash & Cranberry Fusion

Name: Tarragon-Infused Spiced Butternut Squash & Cranberry Fusion
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: fresh Tarragon, 1 tablespoon finely chopped; Butternut Squash, 2 cups cubed; fresh Cranberries, 1 cup none; Quinoa, 1 cup cooked; Walnuts, 1/4 cup toasted, chopped; Maple Syrup, 2 tablespoons none; Cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon none; Nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon none; Olive Oil, 2 tablespoons none; Salt, 1/2 teaspoon or to taste none; Pepper, 1/4 teaspoon or to taste none

Category Side Dish

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 40 minutes

Style Fusion

Technique Roasting

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: November 14, 2024

This Tarragon-infused Spiced Butternut Squash & Cranberry Fusion is a delightful twist on typical side dishes, bringing in hearty seasonal ingredients and flavors, then chills with a hint of tarragon. The fusion touch not only keeps your palate engaged but also presents a beautiful and colorful plate, perfect for photo-sharing while savoring every bite.

Ingredients (for 2)

Fresh tarragon - 1 tablespoon - finely chopped
Butternut squash - 2 cups - cubed
Fresh cranberries - 1 cup - none
Quinoa - 1 cup - cooked
Walnuts - 1/4 cup - toasted, chopped
Maple syrup - 2 tablespoons - none
Cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon - none
Nutmeg - 1/4 teaspoon - none
Olive oil - 2 tablespoons - none
Salt - 1/2 teaspoon or to taste - none
Pepper - 1/4 teaspoon or to taste - none

Preparation

Step 1 - 🕓🔥🌡️

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2 - 🎃🥄🧂

Toss the cubed butternut squash with olive oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Step 3 - 🥄🥘🔥

Spread the squash onto a baking sheet in a single layer, then roast in the oven until tender and slightly caramelized, about 25-30 minutes.
Step 4 - 🥘🍒🥄

In a saucepan, heat the cranberries and maple syrup over medium heat. Let them simmer until the berries pop and the sauce is slightly reduced, about 10 minutes. Stir in chopped tarragon.
Step 5 - 🍴🍚🌰

Fluff cooked quinoa with a fork and mix in toasted walnuts.
Step 6 - 🥦🥘🍴

Arrange the nutty quinoa at the base of your serving plates. Top with the spiced roasted butternut squash and drizzle with the tarragon cranberry reduction. Serve warm.

Additional

Let the kids help by tossing the squash in oil and spices. If nuts aren't your thing, you can swap out walnuts for pumpkin seeds or omit them entirely. For a protein boost or to transform this into a light main dish, add some roasted chickpeas!