This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Carapelli for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Today, I’m sharing what I think is the perfect appetizer for Thanksgiving: Butternut Squash Bruschetta.

But first, I’m going to share a little bit about olive oil and olive oil tasting. Olive Oil Tasting???  You may be thinking, “Why on earth would I want to taste olive oil?” Well, it turns out that olive oil has a good deal of flavor, and what brand/type you choose to use can have a dramatic effect on how your dish tastes. So you should be choosing your olive oil wisely.

My son and I both conducted the taste test using Carapelli Olive Oil.  The process was fun for both of us, and it really got us thinking about what kinds of tastes and sensations you become aware of when you’re paying attention.  We tested their Premium 100% Italian variety using the Four “S’s” method.  The olive flavor and aroma was intense.  My son noted that the aroma was that of an olive orchard.  The taste was fruity and smooth.

 

Carapelli Olive Oil has been making olive oil since 1893 and now reigns as Italy’s No. 1 Extra Virgin Olive Oil. As a leader in olive oil, Carapelli was the first producer to promote bottled extra virgin olive oil in Italy. The company also instituted a quality certification program that meets and exceeds the extensive, strict quality specifications required in Europe and the United States, that it adheres to today. The reason is simple: provide consumers with reassurance about the consistent, premium quality of Carapelli Olive Oils.

So now that you know how to sample olive oil, you should be using olive oil in your cooking that can pass the four “S” test.  Good flavored olive oil will help result in good-flavored food.  Here’s a $1.00 OFF coupon at www.CarapelliUSA.com so you can taste the Carapelli brand for yourself.

Here’s how you make Roasted Butternut Squash Bruschetta, using good-flavored olive oil (in this case, I used the Carapelli brand):

Brush (good tasting) olive oil onto some thinly sliced baguette.  Then toast it in the oven.

Cut butternut squash into small, diced pieces.  Then toss it in some (good tasting) olive oil and a little salt and pepper, and roast it in the oven.

Finely chop some sage.

Saute pine nuts, garlic and sage in some (good tasting) olive oil.

Shave Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

Mix the roasted butternut squash with the sautéed pine nuts/sage/garlic.  Scoop a spoonful of it on top of the toasted baguette slices.

And add some shaved Parm.  Yum.  It’s a nice and light appetizer for Thanksgiving, or fall, or just because.  And it happens to taste really good, even when the butternut squash has cooled off. 

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If you happen to be following the Weight Watchers WW plan, you’ll find a link to the WW Points on the recipe card below.

Roasted Butternut Squash Bruschetta
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Roasted Butternut Squash Bruschetta

This recipe makes a healthy appetizer addition to your Thanksgiving meal.
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 15 servings (2 appetizers per serving)
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Ingredients

BREAD

TOPPING

  • 4 cups finely diced butternut squash (½ inch cubes)
  • tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh sage
  • ¼ cup pine nuts
  • ½ tablespoon minced garlic
  • ½ cup shaved or shredded Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

Instructions 

BREAD

  • Preheat oven to 400℉. Place bread slices on baking sheet. Brush the bread slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Bake for 3 to 5 minutes, just until the edges begin to turn golden brown and the bread becomes slightly crisp. Remove from the oven and set aside. Keep the oven pre-heated.

TOPPING

  • In a medium bowl, toss the butternut squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray and spread the squash on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 10 minutes, stir and then bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the squash becomes tender. Remove from the oven and let cool while you prepare the rest.
  • In a small sauté pan over medium heat, add ½ tablespoon olive oil, garlic, sage and pine nuts. Sauté until the garlic and sage are sizzling and aromatic, and the pine nuts begin to brown. Remove from heat.
  • Scoop the cooled squash into a medium bowl. Add the pine nut mixture and toss gently.

ASSEMBLY

  • Scoop a couple tablespoons of the squash mixture onto each toasted bread slice. Sprinkle cheese on top and serve immediately.

Notes

  • This appetizer is delicious served at room temperature, so there is no need to serve it hot.
  • Garnish your platter of bruschetta with fresh sage leaves.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 114kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 313mg, Potassium: 171mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 3995IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 77mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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13 Comments

  1. Asmita says:

    Wow, this recipe rocks. I love the photos!

  2. Katrina says:

    This sounds insanely delicious!

  3. Jessica @ How Sweet says:

    You just put all of my favorite things on BREAD. God I love you.

  4. Susan says:

    This is the appetizer I’ve been looking for, thank you! Bev’s post above made me LOL as I felt the same way as I was reading the recipe 🙂

  5. Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray says:

    Holy smokes I love everything about this recipe, Lori! Yum!

  6. Tessa @ Handle the Heat says:

    Love the pictures of your son tasting! This bruschetta looks lovely. Olive oil post twins today 🙂

  7. Living The Sweet Life says:

    I haven’t even had breakfast … and I’m already thinking about lunch!!

  8. Bev Weidner says:

    I could freak out right now looking at that bruschetta. I sort of need it.

    Right now.

  9. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says:

    Lori your photography in this post is some of your best ever!

    The long shot of the squash, the closeup of the sage, the flakes of cheese…great detail and pics.

    Now I’m hungry 🙂

  10. Kathryn says:

    These sound delightful! And it was so interesting to read about olive oil tasting – I normally just grab a bottle of whatever’s closest but I really need to try more!