Spicy Maple Butternut Brussels Bacon (Print Version)

Maple-roasted brussels sprouts, butternut squash, bacon, cranberries, pecans, and cheese for bold flavors.

# Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 450 g brussels sprouts, stems and outer leaves removed, halved
02 - 4 cups (about 600 g) peeled and cubed butternut squash

→ For Roasting

03 - 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
04 - 2 tablespoons (30 ml) pure maple syrup
05 - 1 teaspoon (3 g) garlic powder
06 - 0.5 teaspoon (1 g) cayenne pepper
07 - 0.5 teaspoon (1 g) ground cinnamon
08 - 0.13 teaspoon (0.3 g) ground cloves or allspice
09 - Freshly ground salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Toppings and Garnishes

10 - 120-140 g uncooked bacon (about 4–5 slices)
11 - 50 g dried cranberries
12 - 50 g toasted pecan halves, chopped
13 - 50 g crumbled gorgonzola, blue cheese or goat cheese

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 220°C. Line a large baking sheet or two smaller sheets with parchment paper. Spread brussels sprouts and butternut squash cubes evenly, avoiding overcrowding to ensure proper roasting. Use two trays if necessary and rotate halfway through cooking.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, garlic powder, cayenne, cinnamon, and cloves or allspice until well blended. Drizzle this mixture over the vegetables. Season generously with salt and pepper. Toss thoroughly with clean hands to coat and distribute evenly on the prepared tray.
03 - Roast in the center of the oven for 15 minutes. Remove and flip vegetables for even browning. Return to oven and continue roasting for another 15 minutes, or until brussels sprouts are golden and squash is fork-tender.
04 - While vegetables are roasting, cook bacon according to package instructions in a skillet or oven until crisp. Place cooked bacon on paper towel and pat to remove excess fat. Chop bacon into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
05 - Transfer roasted vegetables to a serving bowl. Gently fold in chopped bacon, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans. Top with crumbled cheese of your choice and serve warm.

# Notes:

01 - For optimal texture, be sure not to overcrowd the baking sheet, which can cause the vegetables to steam rather than roast.
02 - Customize by substituting pecans with walnuts or omitting cheese for a dairy-free variation.
03 - Can be prepared in advance and served at room temperature or reheated gently before serving.

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