Your new favourite winter appetizer or side dish is this delicata squash with hot honey butter walnuts and lemon ricotta. Yum!

overhead shot of the squash dish on a light pink backdrop surrounded by pomegranate pieces and a colourful towel

Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to be back with some new recipes. While I don’t regret taking a month off from posting to recharge my creative juices, I realized how much I enjoy having a place to share my creations. Blogging (and working online in any capacity) can feel isolating at times (which is why I don’t think I would ever want it to be my full time job), but overall, I do enjoy it and will continue to do it in whatever capacity my time and energy allow!

During my hiatus from posting, I was able to spend some time giving Up Beet Kitchen a facelift! I hope you like the new home page and recipe index, and that the site is running more quickly for you!

I’m kicking off this second half of winter with a lovely side dish/appetizer: Roasted delicata squash on a dreamy bed of creamy, tangy lemon ricotta, all topped off with hot honey buttered walnuts.

It’s heavenly! Now, I will say that this recipe was meant to be posted in December, when delicata squash was readily available. If you can’t find it, you can simply use another winter squash, such as butternut or acorn.

close up overhead shot of the squash on a blue platter

Ingredients and notes

To make this roasted delicata squash with whipped lemon ricotta and hot honey buttered walnuts, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Delicata Squash: Delicata squash is a sweet, buttery winter squash with a tender, edible skin. In other words, no peeling required! If you cannot find delicata squash, use your favourite winter squash in its place.

Garlic: Sliced garlic is roasted along with the squash for extra flavour.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: For roasting the squash.

Sea Salt and Black Pepper: For seasoning the squash.

Ricotta Cheese: Ricotta cheese is whipped in a food processor along with lemon juice and zest until it’s light and fluffy. It makes the perfect foil to the sweet, buttery roasted squash and garlic.

Lemon: You’ll use both the juice and zest of a lemon to flavour the ricotta.

Walnuts: Use raw walnut halves.

Salted Butter: Gets melted along with the honey, then mixed with the walnuts.

Honey: Sweetens the walnuts.

Hot Red Pepper Flakes: The “hot” part of the hot honey butter.

Pomegranate: Not strictly essential, but so pretty and adds an extra layer of flavour and texture! Highly recommend!

an overhead shot of the delicata squash and garlic on a light pink backdrop

Step By step instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 F and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the sliced squash and garlic in the middle. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and drizzle with the oil. Toss to coat and spread out in an even layer. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until tender.
Meanwhile, make the whipped ricotta: Place the ricotta, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a food processor fitted with the ‘S’ blade. Process until light and fluffy. Spread over the bottom of a platter.
Make the hot honey butter walnuts: In a skillet, combine the butter and honey and melt over medium heat until sizzling. Add the hot red pepper flakes and walnuts. Stir to coat and cook for three minutes, or until the walnuts smell nutty and toasted.
Once the squash has cooled, arrange it over top of the ricotta. Top with the hot honey butter walnuts and pomegranate. Enjoy!

an overhead shot of the delicata squash and garlic on a baking sheet prior to being roasted

overhead shot of the whipped ricotta in a food processor

process shot showing how to make the hot honey buttered walnuts

Why this recipe is good for you

Delicata squash is a good source of fibre, vitamin C, and vitamin B6.

Garlic is rich in antibacterial and antiviral compounds.

Walnuts are a great source of plant-sourced omega 3s.

Ricotta cheese is rich in protein, calcium selenium, and iodine. Selenium and iodine are both essential in healthy thyroid function!

Butter contains conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid that may decrease the risk of heart disease. It is also incredibly satisfying and grounding and delicious!

close up overhead shot of the finished dish on a blue platter topped with the squash, walnuts, and pomegranate

what to serve with this dish

It goes well with so many things! I served it as a side dish at dinner with some arugula, poached eggs, and toast.

It would also be great alongside chicken, fish, or steak. Or, toss the lemon ricotta with cooked pasta and serve the delicata squash and walnuts on top.

more winter squash recipes

I hope that you love this Delicata Squash and Hot Honey Butter Walnuts on Lemon Ricotta! If you make it, I’d love to hear how you enjoyed it. Leave a comment and rating below the post! I read and respond to all comments.

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Have a great start to your week!