Squash and Apple Bake

What could be better?  Butternut squash, apples, brown sugar, butter and spices baked until silky smooth and soft – it’s really quite delicious.  My mom has been making this casserole for the holidays since as long as I can remember.  It was one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving dinner  growing up, and the first leftover I would go after the next day (if there was any left that is).

My mom uses all kinds of apple varieties in this bake; usually whatever is out at the orchard stand near the house.  Varieties that would work really well here would be Cortlands, Crispin, Ida Reds, Granny Smith, or Winesap, which are all good for baking.

 

Squash and Apple Bake

Adapted from Applehood and Motherpie
 
1 small butternut squash, 2 pounds or less
2 apples
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter, cold
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 
 

Peel, pear, seed and slice butternut squash into slices, about 1/4 inch thick.  Peel core, and slice apples into slices about 1/4 inch thick.

Butter an oblong 7 x 11 inch baking dish (I believe a standard square 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 would work as well, but I haven’t tried it).  Arrange squash and apple slices decoratively in your dish; layering squash and apples alternately.  If you are pressed for time, you can dump and then strategically arrange the squash and apples so they are evenly distributed.

In a medium size bowl, blend the brown sugar, butter, flour, salt and spices with a fork or pastry blender until they reach a crumb topping consistency.  Distribute topping evenly over the squash and apples.

Cover with foil, and place in a pre-heated 350 degree oven 40 to 45 minutes, uncover and bake for a remaining 10 to 15 minutes or until the squash and apples are tender.  My baking dish was a very heavy bottom dish, so mine took slightly longer.


Comments

  1. J Evans says

    I have a butternut squash just waiting to be baked. I was going to go with my usual curried soup, but this will be a good game changer. Thanks!

    • says

      Awesome; I hope you enjoy it! I love butternut squash, but I haven’t made soup with it yet…I think that will be on the always growing “to do” list.

    • says

      Hi Nancy! I haven’t done that myself, but I don’t see why you couldn’t. The leftovers reheated the next day are just as good as the day it’s made.

  2. Jean Spencer says

    Is this an old recipe? I had this at a Halloween get together and I’m hooked. The version I had also had cranberries on it. I collect old recipes and wondered on the origin of this dish.
    .

    • says

      Hi Jean! I’m not sure how old it is. My mom has probably been making it for 20 years. I haven’t tried adding cranberries before, but that sounds delicious…I’d try 1/2 to 1 cup of fresh cranberries sprinkled on top…

  3. Kristina Zejda says

    This is one of my go to recipes for company! I add pear as well and put goat cheese and walnuts on top. It’s always a hit!

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