This is one in a series of guest posts by other bloggers. Read to the end for a longer biographical note on today's guest blogger, my partner and husband, Crackerdog Sam.
Butternut squash is the perfect fall ingredient. I love that Sam has found even more ways to make it for us! Sam crafted this recipe a year or so ago, back when we still ate legumes, but it still happens to be grain-free. If you've gone paleo, you can eat just the butternut topping and skip the bean underpinning.
![Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} == Hobo Mama Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} = Hobo Mama](http://images.hobomama.com/20120227_8026.jpg)
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Guest post by Crackerdog Sam
Years ago, I ate a butternut squash soup that I liked so much I researched how to make a similar one from scratch. The key: roasting the squash with apples and onion in the oven first, before blending.
Eventually, I decided I liked it even better if I skipped making it into soup and just ate it roasted. When serving it as a full meal instead of just a side dish, I started adding a layer of salted mashed pinto beans mixed with bacon pieces as a contrasting element. It's a nice blend of sweet and savory, refreshing and hearty.
Ingredients:
![Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} == Hobo Mama Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} = Hobo Mama](http://images.hobomama.com/20120227_7969.jpg)
- 2 pounds butternut squash, chunked
- 2 medium granny smith apples, peeled and chunked
- 1/2 of a large sweet onion, chunked
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp tarragon
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 cup Irish cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 15 oz can pinto beans
- 1/2 cup crumbled bacon
- salt to taste
Dietary/allergy notes:
Gluten-free, grain-free, egg-free, nut-free, sweetener-free. Leave off the cheese and bacon to have it dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan. Leave off the cheese and pinto beans to make it paleo.Instructions:
1) Preheat the oven to 450°. In a 9x13-inch glass pan, add the squash, apples, and onion. Drizzle the olive oil over the chunks evenly. Sprinkle the tarragon, thyme, salt, and pepper evenly, then stir.![Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} == Hobo Mama Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} = Hobo Mama](http://images.hobomama.com/20120227_7977.jpg)
![Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} == Hobo Mama Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} = Hobo Mama](http://images.hobomama.com/20120227_7980.jpg)
2) You'll bake the dish 35 minutes total. At 20 minutes, stir once. At 30 minutes, stir again and add the Irish cheddar on top. Bake 5 additional minutes and it will be ready.
![Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} == Hobo Mama Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} = Hobo Mama](http://images.hobomama.com/20120227_7988.jpg)
![Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} == Hobo Mama Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} = Hobo Mama](http://images.hobomama.com/20120227_8012.jpg)
3) While the squash is cooking, open the can of pinto beans, pour off most of the salty liquid, and – without rinsing the beans – pour the rest of the can's contents into a pot. Gently mash the beans with a fork to break the skins and let in some of the liquid. Warm over medium heat, adding the bacon and stirring gently. Taste and salt additionally if needed.
![Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} == Hobo Mama Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} = Hobo Mama](http://images.hobomama.com/20120227_8023.jpg)
4) When both components are finished, spoon some of the beans onto a plate and top with squash mixture. Serves 4.
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![Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} == Hobo Mama Butternut squash with pinto beans {gluten-free, grain-free} = Hobo Mama](http://images.hobomama.com/2b145776-c30b-4dd4-9431-2836b6fca15e.jpg)
Crackerdog Sam (that's his hobo name) is a full-time work-from-home parent.
He shares both the working and the parenting of six-year-old Mikko and two-year-old Alrik with Lauren of Hobo Mama.
He is the resident chef extraordinaire and does all the family's (delicious) cooking.
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