Autumn Crostini with Butternut Squash & Spiced Pecans has me dreaming of crunchy russet-colored leaves, perfumed air, and crackling bonfires…
It’s here, guys! The first day of autumn! Bring on the apple crumbles, cranberry grog, rainy days and cinnamon sprinkled coffee…
Oh! And let’s not forget about my ‘first day of fall’ crostini that’s all dressed up and ready for the barn dance!
As I was planning for my fourth installment of my ‘first day of the new season biscotti/crostini/toast’ recipe, it didn’t take long to figure out that butternut squash, fall’s quintessential vegetable, would make it to the dance.
I’m wondering, did my foreshadow from Monday tip you in this direction?
Did your mind go to toast?
This Autumn Crostini with Butternut Squash & Spiced Pecans will make for perfect nosh on these chilly autumn evenings…
- Sitting out back with a moose mug full of hot apple cider, enjoying a bonfire? This crostini.
- Sitting on the front porch with a glass of cranberry wine and exhilarating company? This crostini.
- Sharing an appetizer with friends and family at this weekend’s football tailgate? This crostini.
- Volunteered to bring a dish to Thanksgiving dinner? This crostini.
Seriously, the options are endless.
Do you guys remember when this whole thing began? My wanting to create a special ‘toast’ for the first day of each season? It started a year ago… I know, I’m shocked too! But since that first one, Bruschetta with Figs, Prosciutto, and Arugula, we’ve had Bruschetta with Sweet Pea Pesto, Prosciutto & Asparagus and Caprese Bruschetta with Crispy Eggplant…
Not a bad line-up!
So let’s grab our skillets and get cookin’! And maybe throw in a little line dance while we’re at it!
Happy Fall, my friends!
Buon Appetito!
PrintAutumn Crostini with Butternut Squash & Spiced Pecans
- Category: Appetizer
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 pound butternut squash cubes
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 – 2 cups crumbled spiced pecans
- Six 3/4-inch thick slices of dense crusty bread
Instructions
- In a large non-stick skillet, I used cast-iron, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add the squash. Cook for 12 minutes until it begins to soften and is easy to mash with a fork.
- Add spices and thoroughly combine.
- In the meantime, to make the crostini, toast the bread or grill until golden.
- Top the crostini with squash and crumbeld spiced pecans.
- Serve warm or room temperature.
CIAO!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
How did I miss these?!!! So awesome and perfect for Fall eating. Love all the flavours and such a creative idea 🙂
Annie says
This is a yummy one…they didn’t last long! 😉
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
I love this, Annie. Toast up some French bread and top with the delicious mixture – sign me up. Perfect fall snack. Hope you’re having a great weekend.
Annie says
Mm-mm-mmmmmm! Sign me up, too! Thanks, dear!
Milena | Craft Beering says
Not too happy about the morning chill and upcoming rains, but will happily take your sunny butternut squash crostini as consolation. So pretty and I do love the flavors you have brought together! I like people who say Autumn:)
Annie says
Morning chill and upcoming rains are surely made better with this crostini! Thanks you, my friend! I like ‘Autumn’ too! 😉
Harriet Emily says
Yum yum yum! I love crostini, and all of these autumnal flavours sound so delicious. I definitely need to make this recipe asap! Thank you for sharing Annie! <3
Annie says
It’s a beautiful bite! Thank you, Harriet!
Marissa says
You come up with the best toasts, Annie! My mouth is literally watering looking at these – love the combination of sweet and tender butternut with spicy crunchy pecans!
Annie says
This combination was the first thing that came to mind when I started thinking about my autumn toast! So glad you like it! Thanks, Marissa!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
I love crostini and bruschette and I could eat them anytime! These have all the flavors and colors of Fall, so pretty and yummy. Your spiced pecans were already super good, paired with butternut squash get over the top good!
Annie says
This is a nice little combo! Bring on the crostini, I say! Thanks, friend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Oh my goodness – that last shot!! So gorgeous!! And I love that top shot with the moose on the mug….though, not moose on the roads cause they can be very problematic around here on the highways. You know me and my crostini! Me and you are like crostini sisters, if there ever were such a thing 😉 I can only image how this tastes with that texture from those lovely pecans!! I could make a meal out of this and a nice glass of red for sure. Happy Friday, sweets! XOXO
Annie says
Okayyyy – we need to get together for a crostini party! Wouldn’t that be a blast! I’ll bring the cranberry wine! Have a gorgeous weekend, my friend! XOXO
stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
Annie I just love when you do Crostini! This one is special, just perfect for the first day (second, third… fiftieth..) day of autumn! This looks so delicious, love all the textures and the pecans were the perfect addition! Take care.
Annie says
Thank you, Stacey! That’s how I feel about your cakes! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Now this is what fall is all about! I love that butternut squash, perfect for this time of year!
Annie says
Oh, you bet! So, so good! Have a lovely fall day, my friend!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
These crostini sound like pure heaven. Gimme butternut everything right now! Especially with those gorgeous spiced pecans on top 🙂
Annie says
It’s a perfect combination of flavors and textures! Thanks, pal! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes says
Fall is such a beautiful time of the year! Look at those colors in the last pic! Mesmerizing..And so are these crostini!! Love the flavors of Butternut squash and those spiced pecans!!
Annie says
These colors are my jam! We need to soak them in as much as we can during their all too short visit… Thanks for stopping by with a kind word, Deepika!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
Oh Annie… that last pic! Fall is upon us and I about turned inside out when I read “thanksgiving”. Goodness, where did the year go? Since everything is better with bread, why not with a little butternut squash? Absolutely love the flavors in this mouthwatering crostini! And pecans send me over the moooon!! Delicious work my dear! xo
Annie says
Isn’t that beautiful? It was taken in Lake Placid. And I so agree with you…is there anything that’s not made better by bread? Thanks, my dear! xo