Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Butternut Squash Cheese Fries


These fries? Oh, they are fantastic! They are tasty, a little sweet, and healthy! We haven't eaten at a fast food restaurant in over a year... It is one of our goals to stay away from fast foods. Therefore, we haven't had french fries in a very long time. Do I miss them? Yes, sometimes. But I've been trying to find a way to enjoy healthier fries, such as this one. Yes, they do taste different... totally different. But butternut squash is so healthy for you and I do love the taste of it. It is a little similar to sweet potatoes or yams and all these are my favorite! A little sprinkle of Parmesan cheese is also a perfect addition to these delicious oven baked fries.

Butternut Squash Cheese Fries
Adapted slightly changed from "Cook Yourself Thin Faster Cookbook"

Ingredients:

1 large butternut squash, peeled and seeded
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and line a sheet with aluminum foil.

Cut butternut squash into 1/4-inch strips, like french fries.

Coat the squash with the olive oil and spread evenly on the pan. Season with paprika, salt and pepper.

Bake for 30 minutes, turning the fries midway through, until the fries are golden and roasted.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and return to the oven for 2 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted.



55 comments:

  1. I've never thought about making fries out of butternuts. Always think soup with those guys for some reason!

    I'll have to make these next time I get my hands on some!

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  2. Good for you!! Staying away from the fast food restaurants!! These do look delish.

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  3. I have heard of Sweet Potato fries but this is new to me and sounds awesome.The best thing is that it is a healthy alternative to that fried stuff that we crave.

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  4. I'm a big fan of sweet potato fries, but I'm curious if the butternut squash ones still have the potato texture of regular fries?

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  5. Amy,

    The butternut squash fries have a softer texture than regular fries but not too soft or mushy. But if you want crispier texture, you could probably bake for a little longer time. They were delicious. :)

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  6. I've only made sweet potato fries before, and they were really good. Never thought to use butternut squaash. These look really good!

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  7. Never tasted these fries,sounds so simple and yumm..thanx for sharing

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  8. How interesting! I've never thought of making fries out of butternut squash. I thought sweet potato fries were creative enough! These look so good :)

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  9. What a great idea. I've done something similar with sweet potatoes, but butternut squash would be amzing too. I know you really enjoyed eating these!

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  10. Simply awesome! I am very sure that I never had butternut squash fries. Would really love to try them.

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  11. YUM! what a great, healthy twist on fries -- I love butternut squash but I need some courage to figure out how to peel/chop one!

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  12. This is new to me..looks fabulous..But I make French fries just like this, as you said trying to stay away from the fast food restaurants :D

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  13. I must admit, never though of Butternut Squash as fries. It looks delicious and interesting.

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  14. Never would have thought to make fries out of squash, but it's a great idea. Definitely trying this.

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  15. Fabulous idea! It's not very easy to find Butternut Squash here, but I'll see what I can do.

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  16. Looks great and adding cheese is a great touch to the fries.

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  17. Wow...butternut squash fries....my first time. Would love to try. Must be very delicious...yum

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  18. I make these too and we always feel virtuous eating them since they're so good for you!

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  20. Fries made at home are so much better. Yours look delicious!
    LL

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  21. Oh, I wish I would have seen this before I made dinner tonight. We tried to make squash fries and they didn't turn out so well. I'll keep this one in mind for next time!

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  22. Wow! they do look absolutely delicious and healthy!!! beautiful colour too! ^^

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  23. Healthy and delicious!!!I have to try those!

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  24. One of my favorite veggies! Love the recipe.
    Wonderful blog, i'm a follower now :)

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  25. Ooh, these look tasty. I might even get my kids to try them!

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  26. Butternut squash fries are incredible! (The crispy ends are my favorite part!) I like to serve them with ketchup for dipping...so good!

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  27. These look super tasty!!

    sweetlife

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  28. Wow Sook, that looks SO good. I'll definitely going to try that soon. :-)

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  29. Being a mom is a full time job yet you're able to cook and blog about it regularly! Amazing. Thanks for sharing your fries recipe.

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  30. I make these with sweet potatoes. I'll hadn't thought of butternut. Great idea!

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  31. I love the idea of butternut squash fries! Perfect with Parmesan cheese!

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  32. looks amazing & so healthy with so little oil..nice idea to bake it...

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  33. This is new to me. Can I sample some?

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  34. Sook, you cook well, definitely there's no need to go to any fast food restaurant, it's great that you haven't been to one for over a year!

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  35. First time here....Fries looks yummy.

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  36. I have baked them before but never tried baking them with cheese.

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  37. Baked Butternut squash fries sounds interesting and yummy!

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  38. That sounds great Sook!
    I have a giveaway at my blog. Do check it out.
    http://enrichingyourkid.blogspot.com/2010/02/giveaway.html

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  39. What a clever way of using butternut squash. I bet its awesome with the cheese.
    *kisses* HH

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  40. This is delight full and Joanne being ur sweetfren too, am inviting u here for her little party(its her birthday dear -i know that u know dear) which is a suprise party for her ...do leave her a wish in the sprinkles ok.....my feeds arent working so am trying my best to find all her pals to leave her a wish in the sprinkles before she gets there or even after....will ya help too to make it a little sucess....and leave her a wish too?

    http://vanillastrawberryspringfields.blogspot.com/2010/02/joannes-birthday-middle-eastern-chicken.html?showComment

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  41. oh yummy! i would never think to make fries from butternut squash, great idea!

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  42. Ooo I am a huge fan of butternut squash fries--I just made a cajun spiced butternut squash fries recipe that I taught at my tropical cooking class--so many people were surprised at how good the squash works for fries vs potatoes!

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  43. I know what you mean - I haven't had fast food for years, but fries are SO good. Haven't done butternut squash ones, definitely gonna give these a try.

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  44. Sook, do you have any tips for cutting up butternut squash? that is the part that keeps me from using it too often - too hard to cut!

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  45. Sara,
    I know what you mean! It is pretty hard to cut butternut squash! I'm actually trying to find a way to cut more easily myself so when I do, I will do a post on it. Right now, my strong husband comes in handy. :)

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  46. I've done sweet potato fries, but never butternut squash. I bet they are equally delicious:D

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  47. I made "squash fries" with Kabocha Squash. We eat the skin and all! If you haven't tried Kabocha Squash I can't recommend it highly enough!

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  48. I love them! I have made sweet potato fried but not butternut squash.
    I remember being at a pub 20+ years ago and they had 3 colour shoestring fries. One was parsnip - I want to try that soon too.

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  49. Yum yum yum....oh my these do look good. I'm thinking maybe a little chili powder would be good on these too.... Thanks for this terrific idea and a new way to prepare squash.

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  50. I love butternut squash and this is a great way to serve it. Thanks for the recipe.

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  51. i've seen many unique recipes using butternut squash, but this simple creation is by far the most appealing! good stuff!

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