A Holiday-Ready, Abstinent Friendly Take on Classic Comfort

There’s something deeply comforting about the flavors of fall – the sweetness of roasted butternut squash, the nuttiness of browned butter, the earthy aroma of sage. For many of us in food addiction recovery, these seasonal dishes can feel nostalgic and grounding… but they can also feed our addiction when wrapped in flour, sugar, or heavy ingredients that blur our clarity and peace.

This recipe is my abstinent, nourishing take on the beloved butternut squash ravioli you often see during fall and winter. Instead of pasta, you get tender cubes of caramelized butternut squash roasted to perfection. Instead of a rich, heavy sauce, you get a simple browned butter drizzle infused with crispy sage leaves that bring all the flavor without sending you into a craving spiral.

It’s everything you love about the classic dish – warm, cozy, and deeply satisfying – but rebuilt in a way that protects your recovery and supports your body.

This is the kind of recipe I lean on during the holidays: familiar ingredients, and rich in seasonal flavors that don’t leave me feeling foggy or spiritually disconnected afterward. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving because it brings elegance and comfort to the table without any of the ingredients that once kept you stuck.

Butternut Squash with Browned Butter and Crispy Sage

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

• Author: Abstinent Kitchen
• Total Time: 40 minutes

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

An abstinent take on a classic dish – perfect for a weekend or holiday meal.

 

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sage Butter and Crispy Sage:

• 1/2 stick butter
• 2 – 4 Tbsp. fresh sage leaves, stems removed
• 2 cloves of garlic, skins removed, smashed

Squash:

• 1 Butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed, and cut into 1/2 inch chunks
• drizzle of olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• parmesan cheese for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

Browned Butter and Crispy Sage:

1. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Add garlic cloves and sage leaves.
2. Allow to slowly bubble, stirring occasionally.
3. As the butter begins to brown, stir more often.
4. When the butter is the color of a light caramel, remove from the heat.
5. Remove the garlic and sage leaves from the butter.
6. Allow the butter to cool while you prepare the squash.

Butternut Squash:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
3. Place cubed squash in the pan; drizzle with olive oil; dust with salt and pepper, and stir to coat.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until tender and caramelized.
5. Remove from pan and place in serving dish. Drizzle with 1 – 2 Tbsp of the browned butter and gently toss to mix.
6. Crumble the crispy sage over the serving dish; dust with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and serve.

Notes

• We like to save the remaining butter to serve with other vegetables.
• Try it on zucchini noodles, sweet potatoes, carrots, and more!

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: starch; holiday; thanksgiving
• Method: Oven
• Cuisine: starch

Serve this as a side dish beside roasted turkey or chicken, and a green vegetable. A six (6) ounce portion is considered one (1) starch serving.