Infallible Fall Fries

Tis the season of spandex and Uggs, pumpkin spice everything, shorter days, and much much longer nights. Whether you like it or not, Fall is here.

If you're anything like me, this sweater weather will have you searching high and low for all things cozy- comfort food included.

After perusing the grocery aisles, I came across a butternut squash in the produce section. The shape intrigued me, the name was puzzling, and since it was a winter squash, it was cheaper than most of the other vegetables.

I brought the giant seasonal fruit home with me. I washed it, cut it in half and peeled it. Then after scooping out the fleshy, seedy center, I cut it into thin, even slices.

Don’t feel intimidated by the less-than-common squash. Sure, preparing a new food can be daunting, but follow these few simple steps and you’ll be enjoying a new healthy side dish that is sure make a frequent appearance at your table.

One surprise I came across with this recipe is butternut squash doesn’t quite crisp up the same as potatoes do. Think: the sogginess of In-n-Out fries, with the saltiness of the last few mushy fries at the bottom of a McDonald’s bag.  The outer coating of the fries comes out slightly crisp, while the middle is fluffy and light.

These guilt-less Sriracha Butternut Squash Oven Fries are even better for you than their potato counterpart. Not only do they have fewer calories than potato fries, but also butternut squash fries are rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium, and Vitamins C, E, and A. They’re more nutritious and just as filling. Really, you can’t go wrong with this minimal effort recipe.

What you need:

1 Butternut squash

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 Tsp. Sriracha hot sauce

Sea salt to taste

How to make it

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Whisk together oil and sriracha in a large bowl. Transfer butternut squash fries to bowl and toss to coat.
3. Pour fries onto a rimmed baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt.
4. Bake for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Note:

Don’t like spicy? Substitute the Sriracha for ground cinnamon for a nuttier tasting fry.