Welcome to The Oven Diaries, where we prove that eating healthy can be both quick and incredibly delicious! Today, we're highlighting one of autumn's most convenient and tasty vegetables: Delicata Squash. Our Broiled Delicata Squash recipe combines the natural sweetness of squash with aromatic garlic and warm five spice powder, creating a side dish that's ready in just 4 minutes using your Plum Chef Oven.

The beauty of delicata squash lies in its edible skin - no peeling required! This makes prep work incredibly fast. Using the BROIL function in your Plum Chef Oven is the secret to achieving beautifully caramelized edges and a tender interior in record time. The high, direct heat brings out the squash's natural sugars while the five spice powder adds a complex, warming flavor that perfectly complements the squash's sweetness.

This recipe is not only quick and easy but also naturally vegan, gluten-free, and packed with vitamins. It's the perfect elegant yet simple side dish for busy weeknights or a colorful addition to your holiday table. Let's create this beautiful, flavorful squash dish that might just become your new favorite vegetable preparation!

Broiled Delicata Squash with Garlic and Five Spice

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Temperature: Broil Setting
Serves: 2-4

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 delicata squash, sliced into ½-inch rounds

• 2 teaspoons garlic cloves, minced

• ½ teaspoon five spice powder

• Spray oil, as needed

• Kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste

• Optional garnish: fresh parsley, sesame seeds, or a squeeze of lime juice
  
  

  DIRECTIONS:

  1. Prepare Squash: Slice the delicata squash into ½-inch rounds and remove the seeds from the center of each round.

  2. Season: Place the squash rounds, minced garlic, five spice powder, salt, and pepper into a plastic zip-top bag. Spray generously with oil. Seal the bag and shake vigorously to coat all pieces evenly.

  3. Arrange for Cooking: Place the Air Fryer Basket on the Baking/Drip Pan to catch any drippings. Transfer the seasoned squash rounds to the basket, arranging them in a single layer.

  4. Position in Oven: Place the basket in the oven in the top rack position, closest to the broiler element.

  5. Set Cooking Function: Set the Timer Knob to 4 minutes, Temperature Knob to Broil, and Function Knob to Broil.

  6. Broil: Broil for 2 minutes, then use tongs to carefully turn the squash pieces over. Continue broiling for an additional 2 minutes, or until the squash is tender and has brown, caramelized spots.

  7. Serve: Transfer the squash to a serving plate, garnish as desired, and serve immediately.
     

  Chef's Tip: For even cooking, try to slice the squash rounds to a uniform thickness. Don't overcrowd the basket - cook in batches if necessary. The squash is done when easily pierced with a fork. If you don't have five spice powder, you can substitute with a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves.