Butternut Squash Crostini Appetizer with Crispy Sage
Servings: 4 -6
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Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup fresh sage leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 3 cups cubed butternut squash, 1/2 inch cubes
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 250-300 g softened goat cheese
Instructions
- Make the crostini: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Use a bread knife to slice a baguette into 1-inch thick slices. Brush the sliced baguette with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip and bake for another 5 minutes until toasted. Set aside.
- Make the butternut squash: To a small frying pan melt butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and starts to bubble/sizzle, add the walnuts and sage leaves. Cook for a few minutes until the sage is crispy. Set the walnuts and sage aside on a paper towel lined plate and season with a pinch or two of salt. Leave any butter that's left in the frying pan - you'll use this for the butternut squash.
- To the same pan, add the cubed butternut squash and season with salt, pepper and cinnamon. Saute on medium heat for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until the butternut squash is fork tender. Once fork tender, add in the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar and cook for another minute. Remove the butternut squash from the heat and let cool slightly.
- To assemble the appetizer, spread the softened goat cheese on a low plate and then top with the butternut squash mixture, chopped walnuts and crispy sage. Enjoy with crostini (or crackers if desired).
Notes
- With the goat cheese at room temperature, it will be very spreadable. However, if you prefer you can whip the goat cheese in a food processor to make it super smooth and creamy too.
- If serving this at a dinner party, make the butternut squash ahead of time, about an hour before serving and it can rest at room temperature before assembling with the softened goat cheese.
- If you don't have maple syrup, you can substitute with honey.
- You could try softened cream cheese or whipped ricotta cheese in place of goat cheese.
- Pecans or almonds are a tasty substitute for the walnuts. If you can't use nuts, you could try using pumpkin seeds or just omit the walnuts altogether.
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