Roasted Sweet Dumpling Squash with Tahini Maple Dijon Sauce

Sweet dumpling squash is one of many winter squashes made even more delectable by roasting.

Roasted until caramelized and golden on the edges then drizzled with a tahini maple dijon sauce that’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory, this simple side dish is the definition of flavorful seasonal eating!

I don’t love winter (in fact, I despise it if we’re being honest) but if there’s one redeeming quality of this late fall/winter period it’s winter squash!

It seems as if every year recently, more and more “fun” varieties are popping up too. Or, at least becoming more ubiquitous in stores.

Last year it was buttercup squash and koginut squash.

This year, it’s this incredibly cute looking sweet dumpling squash.

There were two bins of these fun speckled guys at my natural foods store last week and before even reading the sign to see what they were called, I had two in my cart.

Some people buy miscellaneous household or wardrobe items spontaneously, I buy winter squash.

So I did what I do with every new to me squash the first time I taste it and I roasted it.

I feel like roasting is the best method in understanding the characteristics of a squash.

But I didn’t stop there with this one.

I also whipped up a tahini maple dijon sauce to go with it and honestly, I’m not sure which component of this recipe I’m more excited about.

The sweet dumpling squash is definitely a top-contender winter squash in taste but man, don’t discount this dipping sauce because it is legit!

WHAT DOES SWEET DUMPLING SQUASH LOOK LIKE?

Sweet dumpling squash can be identified by its green and white speckles and streaks.

It looks similar to acorn squash with its ridged exterior but its distinctive markings and lack of a pointed bottom help differentiate it from a traditional acorn squash.

Dumpling squashes are also similar in appearance to carnival squash but those tend to be smaller and predominately orange and yellow in color.

While it can have hints of orange on the outside, the majority of the squash will be green and white.

WHAT DOES SWEET DUMPLING SQUASH TASTE LIKE?

Most importantly though is what the squash tastes like.

And perhaps unsurprisingly considering its name, sweet dumpling squash does in fact taste sweet!

Taste-wise, it’s almost reminiscent of a mix between sweet potato and pumpkin puree.

Texturally, the flesh is smooth and creamy unlike the drier squashes of kabocha and acorn.

It would be a great swap in this koginut squash bowl as the two taste pretty similar in flavor.

IS THE SKIN OF SWEET DUMPLING SQUASH EDIBLE?

Yes!

One of the greatest components to all these “newer” squash varieties is their edible skin.

With ridged squash like this it can be incredibly hard to peel the skin. It’s one of the main reasons I’ve never been a huge fan of acorn squash.

But, with sweet dumpling squash, you don’t have to worry about this inconvenience because the skin is completely edible!

SWEET DUMPLING SQUASH SEEDS

Like most squash, the seeds found inside a sweet dumpling squash are edible and particularly delicious when roasted.

Roasted squash seeds are a wonderful way to avoid food waste and make an excellent fall or winter snack.

I find them incredibly addicting and can easily eat an entire tray of them myself! In fact, I did exactly that with these roasted delicata squash seeds.

When scooping out the seeds to make this roasted squash recipe, set them aside and save to roast later. You don’t regret the extra effort!

INGREDIENTS TO MAKE ROASTED SWEET DUMPLING SQUASH

In this guide to winter squash, I talk all about the different cooking methods for popular squash but without fail, my favorite is always simply roasting.

To roast a sweet dumpling squash, all you will need is:

• 1 sweet dumpling squash (about 1 pound)
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• Kosher salt

It’s really that simple!

The minimal ingredients let the flavors of the squash shine through.

Plus, we have a delicious tahini maple dijon dipping sauce with this recipe that complements the sweet squash flavor perfectly.

You can also air fry the squash for a similar outcome. Check out this air fryer butternut squash for how to do that!

TAHINI MAPLE DIJON SAUCE

To make the tahini maple dijon sauce you’ll need:

• 3 tablespoons tahini (choose a creamy brand like Soom)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/2 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• pinch of salt

This dipping sauce might be my favorite ever created.

I do a lot of sauces to go alongside simple recipes like this but this one in particular reminds me of something you’d get in a packet at a fast food joint. In a whole-food sort of way, of course!

It’s addicting in all the best ways and if you love honey dijon flavors, you will love this spin on it.

The maple lends a fall vibe while the tahini creates a decadent and lusciously creamy texture.

It wouldn’t be lying if I said the squash just became a vehicle for more sauce after a few bites.

HOW TO COOK SWEET DUMPLING SQUASH IN THE OVEN

Start by preheating the oven to 400°F. I always use my convection roast setting when roasting squash and encourage you to do the same if your oven is equipped with it.

If not, you may consider raising the temperature to 425°F to ensure crispy edges while roasting.

Half and seed the sweet dumpling squash then cut into wedges about 1/3″ thick. Try to keep them uniform in size as much as possible for even cooking times.

Place the squash wedges on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and drizzle the avocado oil over top. Toss the squash together with your hands to fully coat each piece with the oil.

Season with Kosher salt and place in the oven to roast for 30-35 minutes.

The squash should be a golden brown color around the edges and fork tender when done.

Make the tahini maple dijon sauce by combining all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisking together until smooth.

Serve the roasted squash with the dipping sauce or drizzle on top. Enjoy while warm.

HOW TO CUT SWEET DUMPLING SQUASH

The ridged exterior of a sweet dumpling squash makes it easy to figure out how to cut the squash into wedges.

First, using a sharp knife, half the squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.

Then, using the indents on the outside of the squash as your guide, slice through to create “wedges”.

COOKING THE SQUASH OTHER WAYS

While I prefer oven-roasting for almost any squash, there are a few other ways you can cook this squash.

Microwave – like a potato, sweet dumpling squash can also be microwaved if desired.

Clean the outside of the squash well and poke a few holes in the exterior with a fork or knife. Wrap the squash in a paper towel and microwave on high for 5-8 minutes until soft and tender.

Slice in half and remove the seeds after it’s cooked in the microwave and serve as desired.

Steamed – this method works great if making soup or mashing into a puree like this creamy pumpkin cauliflower mash.

Cut the squash into quarters (removing the seeds) and place in a steaming basket. Steam until fork tender and use as desired.

While the skin is edible and can certainly be mashed or pureed in a soup, you may want to scoop the flesh out of the skin for appearance in the final dish.

Bake – instead of roasting in wedges, cut the sweet dumpling squash in half, remove the seeds and bake the halves whole.

Similar to this maple baked white acorn squash, sweet dumpling squash is delicious this way as well. Fill the cavities with butter/oil and maple syrup/sugar for an even simpler side dish.

CAN SWEET DUMPLING WINTER SQUASH BE STUFFED?

Absolutely!

Any winter squash can be stuffed.

Use the recipes for stuffed delicata squash, stuffed honeynut squash and stuffed kabocha squash as inspiration and make a stuffing that suits you.

Roasting the sweet dumpling squash in halves instead of wedges and then filling with the desired stuffing will create a wonderfully satisfying seasonal meal.

You can also twice bake it and stuff it like twice baked spaghetti squash.

Or, use the vegetarian filling in these stuffed round zucchini to create a more filling side dish or light meal.

HOW TO STORE THE SQUASH

Before cooking, a winter squash like this can be stored on the counter for a few weeks. If you need to extend the lifespan beyond that, keep the sweet dumpling squash stored in a cool, dark area for up to 1-2 months.

Once roasted, the squash can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Store the tahini maple dijon sauce separately.

After it’s been roasted, the squash can also be frozen. Let cool completely then store in freezer safe bags or containers.

Thaw frozen roasted squash in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in an oven or toaster oven. While the crisp edges won’t stay intact after freezing, the intensified sweet flavor from the roasting will still come through.

MORE SQUASH RECIPES TO TRY:

Thai Buttercup Squash Soup
Kabocha Squash Chili
Holiday Butternut Squash Hummus
Creamy Coconut Delicata Squash Soup