Swap Potatoes For Butternut Squash For Fall-Inspired French Fries

Tips for making butternut squash french fries

Before you can savor butternut squash fries, you need to prepare them first. Fortunately, with a few straightforward tips, even novice cooks can master this autumn-inspired vegetable side dish.

To begin, always wash your produce before cooking. Gourds, in particular, can be quite dirty, so make sure to give them a thorough rinse before you start prepping. The most challenging part of making butternut squash fries is cutting the large, dense vegetable into fry-like shapes. Use a sharp chef's knife for clean cuts. Start by positioning the squash horizontally, trimming off the tip and neck first. Peel the skin from each section, then stand the base upright and slice it at a vertical angle. Remove the stringy insides and seeds, and then cut the squash into fry shapes.

Now that the most difficult step is complete, think about your cooking methods. Baking butternut squash fries in the oven is a hands-off approach that lets you focus on other recipes while they cook. Alternatively, air frying is much quicker than using a conventional oven, making it ideal for a fast batch of fries. For added crunch, consider coating them in cornstarch or breadcrumbs.

Enhance the flavor of your butternut squash fries by tossing them with flash-fried herbs like basil, rosemary, or thyme, and sprinkling on garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika for a smoky, savory kick. Don’t forget to dip them in a classic lemon garlic aioli or blue cheese dressing for a creamy finish that complements the satisfying crunch.