RECIPE // GRILLED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Over the past week or two we've been blessed to be given a lot of fresh produce from all of our friends and family's gardens from their summer's last batches. Our good friend, Derek, gave us a nice butternut squash and we've been dying to try it. We're always looking for new ways to try squash so we had a bbq to see what we could come up with. So, here is a recipe for grilled butternut squash cubes. (Note: we're a fan of bringing out squash's sweet side, but below I'll show you how to grill these in a more savoury way)

Ingredients

• 1 good sized butternut squash
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
• 1/2 melted butter
• Optional salt and pepper to taste
• 4 tbsp golden brown sugar
• 4-6 skewers

If you have a buddy on hand, get them to preheat the grill for you while you prepare the squash. Our grill is charcoal so we always leave one side empty for indirect grilling for skewers and veggies. If yours is a gas bbq, just leave the burners off on one side. If you find your grill doesn't get that hot, I would suggest boiling the cubes for a couple minutes to get them started before grilling.

Peel the butternut squash, remove the seeds and cut into cubes about 1-2 inches thick. Thread them onto the skewers.




Add the cinnamon, ginger, salt and pepper to melted butter, whisk and then brush half the mixture onto cubes. Cook the skewers on the unheated side of the grill, with the lid down for about 20-25 minutes, or until the squash is soft. You can check by poking it with a fork. You can lay them down on the direct heat for a more charred/caramelized taste, too.

Mix the brown sugar into the remaining melted butter mixture. When the squash is done cooking, remove from skewers into a bowl and toss with the butter mixture.

Serve hot. Yields 4 servings.

We made this with bbq chicken seasoned with cinnamon, garlic and onions and roasted garlic and chive potatoes. The sauced we used for the grilled squash tasted excellent spooned over the chicken, the ginger and cinnamon complemented the chicken perfectly.

For a more savoury flavour, try using a clove or two of fresh garlic, 3-4 tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper to taste and just toss the grilled cubes of squash in that mixture afterwards and enjoy!