Description
Mediterranean-inspired roasted garlic butternut hummus delivers complex flavor profiles from traditional chickpea spreads. Creamy blended textures and warm spice notes invite guests to savor each velvety bite with fresh pita or crisp vegetable accompaniments.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 small butternut squash (about 2.75 lbs / 1.25 kg), cut into 0.5-inch cubes
- 2 cups pomegranate arils
- 1 bulb garlic, cloves peeled
- 0.25 cup olive oil
- 0.25 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsps tahini
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp sea salt
- 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Sea salt to taste
- Drizzle of olive oil
- 1 cup roasted butternut cubes
- 0.5 cup candied pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roasting Setup: Distribute butternut squash cubes and whole garlic cloves across the sheets in single layers, drizzling olive oil and sprinkling cumin, sea salt, and black pepper evenly.
- Culinary Transformation: Gently toss ingredients to ensure complete seasoning, then roast squash for 35 minutes, rotating pans periodically for uniform caramelization; remove garlic after 7-15 minutes when golden and fragrant.
- Cooling Phase: Let roasted squash and garlic cool to room temperature, enhancing flavor complexity and allowing easier handling.
- Blending Process: Reserve some roasted squash cubes for garnish, then transfer remaining squash and garlic to a food processor with olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, lemon juice, and tahini.
- Flavor Refinement: Blend until silky smooth, scraping processor sides to ensure consistent texture, then taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Artistic Presentation: Spread hummus in a wide serving dish, strategically topping with reserved roasted butternut cubes, vibrant pomegranate arils, and crunchy candied pumpkin seeds.
- Final Touch: Optional olive oil drizzle adds richness and visual appeal; serve immediately with vegetable sticks, pita chips, or preferred crackers.
Notes
- Roasting Precision: Space butternut squash cubes evenly to prevent steaming and ensure perfect caramelization during cooking.
- Garlic Timing: Watch garlic closely while roasting; remove when golden and soft to prevent burning and maintain delicate flavor.
- Flavor Balancing: Taste and adjust seasonings progressively, adding small amounts of lemon juice or spices to achieve perfect flavor harmony.
- Texture Technique: Scrape processor sides consistently while blending to guarantee smooth, creamy hummus without lumpy sections.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg