
In this side dish, maple syrup and bacon lardons are a salty-sweet match made in heaven. Complete with roasted butternut squash, thyme sprigs and walnuts, this is a truly memorable addition to dinners.
300 grams
Diced Butternut Squash
1 bunch(es)
Thyme
60 grams
British Smoked Bacon Lardons
2 sachet(s)
Maple Syrup
20 grams
Walnuts
(Contains: Nuts, Walnuts May contain traces of: Peanut, Cashew nuts, Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Pistachio nuts, Sesame, Almonds, Nuts, Pecan Nuts, Brazil nuts)
a) Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7.
b) Pop the butternut squash and whole thyme sprigs onto a large baking tray. Drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, then toss to coat. Spread out in a single layer.
c) When the oven is hot, roast on the top shelf until soft and golden, 25-35 mins.
a) Meanwhile, combine in a small bowl the bacon lardons and three quarters of the maple syrup.
b) When the butter squash has 10-15 mins remaining in the oven, add the maple bacon lardons to the baking tray and toss to combine.
c) Return to the top shelf until crisp and golden for the remaining 10-15 mins. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw meat. Cook bacon thoroughly.
a) While everything is in the oven, roughly chop the walnuts.
b) When the butternut squash and bacon have 5 mins left in the oven, add the walnuts to the baking tray and toss to combine. Bake until lightly toasted, 5 mins.
c) Once baked, remove and discard the thyme sprigs, then season the butternut squash with salt and pepper.
d) Pop the butternut squash into your serving dish and drizzle over the remaining maple syrup to finish.
Enjoy!