Butternut Squash & Pomegranate Crostini
What would I take with me to a deserted island? Most likely, a loaf of bread and a serrated knife, so that I could make crostini with whatever I could hunt and forage.
Although let’s be honest, I probably wouldn’t do much hunting, so it would just be foraging. And a lot of crossing my fingers that the berries and greens I find aren’t poisonous.
Luckily, in the comfort of my own home, I can make crostini with any combination of flavors I would like. And most of the time, that means a nice balance of sweet and savory, and soft and crunchy (like a crostini pizza bar or my favorite cranberry appetizer).
For this autumn-perfect version, I (literally) whipped up a whipped feta spread, using just three ingredients: feta cheese, cream cheese, and ground black pepper.
I used Israeli feta, because it’s nice and salty, but any kind of feta will work.
I spooned the whipped feta onto crunchy toasted baguette, then topped it with golden brown roasted butternut squash, juicyย pomegranate arils and a sprinkle of fresh mint.
And no combination of sweet and savory is complete without a drizzle of honey.
Honey is truly the most versatile ingredient in my pantry, and I use it in everything from salad dressings to melomakarona Greek cookies, cocktails to sandwiches.
And it just so happens that it’s the perfect finishing touch to so many appetizers, including these Butternut Squash & Pomegranate Crostini with Whipped Feta and Honey. Be sure to add these to your Thanksgiving recipes list!
Love fall squash? Try my sweet dumpling squash soup, roasted acorn squash slices and butternut squash noodles!
![Butternut Squash & Pomegranate Crostini with Whipped Feta and Honey - This autumn appetizer is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Set these out at your next party and watch them disappear! | foxeslovelemons.com](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Butternut-Squash-Pomegranate-Crostini-with-Whipped-Feta-and-Honey-720x720.jpg)
Butternut Squash & Pomegranate Crostini with Whipped Feta and Honey
Ingredients
- Olive oil cooking spray
- 1 baguette, sliced diagonally 1/4-inch thick (about 24 pieces)
- 1 pound cubed butternut squash (1/2-inch cubes)
- 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup whipped cream cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Arils from 1 pomegranate
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- Honey, for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray two rimmed baking pans with cooking spray. Place baguette slices on one prepared pan; lightly spray with cooking spray. Place squash on other prepared pan; lightly spray with cooking spray. Transfer both pans to oven; bake bread 8 to 10 minutes or until crisp (turning once), and squash 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and tender (stirring once). Allow bread and squash to cool before assembling crostini.
- Meanwhile, place feta, cream cheese and pepper in bowl of food processor fitted with knife blade attachment. Process 3 to 5 minutes or until very smooth; scraping down sides of bowl occasionally.
- To serve, spread each piece of toasted bread with 2 teaspoons whipped feta. Divide roasted squash and pomegranate arils over feta. Sprinkle with mint and drizzle with honey; serve immediately.
We always eat appetizers all night on New Year’s Eve. I’m definitely making these this year!ย
See, we eat appetizers all day long on New Year’s Day. Football and naps in between snacks. LOL
I’m not kidding when I say I can eat a whole tray of crostini for dinner. You really overdid yourself with all of these wonderful flavors – butternut squash, pomegranate, feta, and honey!
Especially in the summer (but really, all year ’round), crostini dinners are a legit thing in my house. Maybe with a salad, if I’m feeling fancy ๐
This is positively gorgeous. And I’m swooning just thinking about the whipped feta with the sweet squash and honey. Dreamy.
Thanks Courtney! Extra honey for you ๐
Just gorgeous! I love all these flavors combined and that extra sweetness of honey to go with that salty feta. ย I could totally live on this combination or crostinis in general too.ย
Crostinis in general, yes! I could live on ’em, breakfast lunch or dinner. Even dessert crostini! LOL
This is the prettiest platter of crostini I’ve ever seen. You can’t go wrong with this amazing fall flavor combo. This is definitely going on my holiday menu this year.ย
Thank you so much, Jennie! I am kind of obsessed with the combo of squash + pomegranate + honey. In fact, I have another recipe coming up tomorrow with that trifecta!
Stunning. And what is there not to love about toasted bread, cheese and honey. ๐ Pinned!
Thanks Anita! And right? Cheese + honey = my happy place.
These look amazing, and I’ve got everything I need. I’m excited to make these tonight! What a fun combination ๐
Thanks so much, Hannah! I just clicked over really quick to see that you’ve re-branded your blog (and have an exciting announcement!). I’ll explore your new site more this evening. Congrats! And enjoy the crostini ๐