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One-Pan Bacon with Butternut Squash and Yuzu

Butternut squash roasts on a hot sheet pan until the edges caramelize, then picks up crisp bacon and its rendered fat. A splash of yuzu juice and honey at the end adds a bright, floral lift.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American-Japanese Fusion
Calories: 340
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • For the Pan
  • 1 medium butternut squash about 2 lb / 900g, peeled, seeded, and cut into 3/4-inch (2cm) cubes
  • 8 oz 225g thick-cut bacon, cut crosswise into 1-inch (2.5cm) pieces
  • 1 small red onion cut into thin wedges
  • 1 tablespoon 15ml olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • For the Yuzu Finish
  • 2 tablespoons 30ml bottled yuzu juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 2 scallions thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds optional

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven to 220°C (425°F) with a large rimmed baking sheet inside. A hot pan helps the squash brown quickly.
  2. Toss the squash, onion, olive oil, thyme, and pepper on a separate tray. Do not add salt, since the bacon will season the pan.
  3. Carefully tip the squash onto the hot pan and spread it into a single layer with space between the pieces. Roast for 12 minutes, until the cube edges are just starting to color.
  4. Scatter the bacon pieces over the squash. Roast for another 8 minutes, then stir and turn the pieces so they brown evenly.
  5. Roast for 7 to 10 minutes more, until the bacon is crisp and deep brown, and the squash is golden at the edges and tender when pierced with a fork. The pan should sound like a steady crackle, and smell sweet and smoky.
  6. Take the pan out of the oven. Stir the yuzu juice and honey together, then drizzle it over the hot squash and bacon. It will sizzle for a few seconds. Toss everything together, scraping up the browned bits from the pan.
  7. Scatter the scallions and sesame seeds over the top, and serve right away while the bacon is still crisp.