Description
Maple-glazed brussels sprouts and butternut squash with bacon elevate fall side dishes with rich, caramelized flavors. Crisp bacon, sweet maple syrup, and roasted vegetables create a delightful harmony you’ll crave at every seasonal gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Produce:
- 1 lb (454 g) brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 1 lb (454 g) butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 1-inch pieces)
Meat and Protein:
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- ¼ cup (30 g) chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted
Seasoning and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare your culinary workspace by heating the oven to 400F (200C) and lining a spacious baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal roasting.
- Carefully chop Brussels sprouts and butternut squash into uniform pieces, ensuring even cooking. Slice bacon into small, crispy-ready fragments.
- Combine vegetables in a large mixing vessel, generously coating with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Distribute ingredients evenly across the prepared baking sheet.
- Strategically sprinkle bacon pieces throughout the vegetable landscape, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven, allowing vegetables and bacon to roast for 25-30 minutes. Midway through cooking, gently rotate and redistribute ingredients to encourage uniform caramelization.
- Meanwhile, craft a luxurious maple glaze by whisking together maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a hint of warming cinnamon in a small mixing bowl.
- Once vegetables reach a tender consistency and bacon turns delightfully crisp, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Drizzle the prepared maple glaze over the roasted medley.
- Tenderly toss the ingredients to ensure each morsel receives an equal coating of the sweet and tangy glaze.
- Return the glazed creation to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize and intensify the dish’s depth of flavor.
- Transfer the glistening vegetables and bacon to a serving platter. Enhance the presentation by sprinkling toasted pecans or walnuts and garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a final touch of elegance.
Notes
- Roast vegetables at a high temperature to achieve crispy edges and caramelized surfaces, enhancing their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Choose fresh, firm Brussels sprouts and butternut squash for the best texture and maximum nutrient retention during roasting.
- Opt for thick-cut bacon to provide a robust, smoky flavor and crispy texture that complements the sweet maple glaze.
- Customize the dish for dietary preferences by using turkey bacon for a leaner option or omitting bacon completely for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg