The Perfect Fall Side Dish

I had a butternut squash in our fridge that I hadn't done anything with and thought I'd try to make up a new "recipe" with it.  I didn't really measure as I made it so I'm giving my best guess to the amounts I used but you can add and subtract as you feel necessary and to tailer to your own tastes. 

This turned out to be such a tasty and perfect side dish that I have even been eating it with my eggs in the morning. I love it and think you will too (assuming you like squash and other fall flavors like apple and cranberry). 

Ingredients:

1 medium butternut squash; peeled, seeded, and diced

1 onion, chopped

1 cup sliced mushrooms

2 medium apples; peeled and diced

1/2 cup craisins

Next time I would add 1/2 cup pecans but I was all out

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

A pinch of sage

A sprinkle or two of nutmeg and cinnamon 

In my large pan I heated up the oil an then sauteed the onions and mushrooms.  Once the onions were softened I added in the squash and cooked on medium heat with the lid on until the squash had softened up a bit.  It took a good 15 or so minutes.  

I added in the apples, craisins, salt, pepper, sage, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  This is the step I would have added the pecan in too.  I put the lid back on and cooked for another 10-15 minutes until the squash and apples were fork tender. 

Unfortunately it was done much quicker than I thought (I had figured on nearly an hour for the squash based on what it usually takes me cooking it in the oven) so I had to keep it on low with the lid on until the rest of our dishes were ready to eat.  It was a bit softer than I had anticipated at this point but still very, very tasty! 

This makes such a perfect side dish for this time of year with the combo of squash, apples and craisins and I was thrilled that it was completely done in 30 minutes!  I will definitely be making it again.

The leftovers heated up well too.

What do you think? Is this a dish you'd enjoy?

Linking up with: Thinking Out Loud,