Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash with Coconut Bacon

A mix of tender maple roasted Brussels sprouts and butternut squash are topped with crunchy pecans and coconut bacon to make this flavorful vegan side dish!

This was a very carefully planned out recipe. I’m beginning to realize that some delicate engineering is required wherever coconut bacon makes an appearance. Oh, not because coconut bacon is terribly tricky or anything. It’s actually one of the easiest things on the planet to make. The problem with making coconut bacon as an ingredient in some other recipe is that it often doesn’t last long enough to actually make it to that other recipe.

A sheet of coconut bacon cooling and crisping up on my countertop will call my name from whatever tucked away recess of my home I happen to be in. That’s just the way it is. Also, coconut bacon has a sweet spot when it comes to the best time for eating it. When it first comes out of the oven, it’s too hot to eat and enjoy. As soon as it cools it reaches a point of maxiumum crispness, all while the smell of smokey maple goodness is still wafting through the house. That’s the time to eat your coconut bacon. Unless your planning on sprinkling it on top of some maple roasted Brussels sprouts and butternut squash. Then you’ve got dilemma.

I crafted this recipe with that very dilemma in mind. Roast your coconut bacon and veggies together, remove coconut bacon from oven, at which point it’s too hot to eat. Allow it to cool, and by the time temptation begins to pose a problem, your veggies are ready to go, and it’s totally okay to eat your coconut bacon, because you’re eating it over your veggies, which was the plan all along, thank you very much.

Seriously though, it all works out very well, and this turned out to be the most perfect flavor and texture combination ever. If you’re not into Brussels sprouts, this is the Brussels sprouts recipe for you. The sweet maple and butternut flavors take the edge off the bitterness, while the coconut bacon adds the perfect dose of smokey to compliment the sweet. Is this why everyone who eats meat is so obsessed with bacon? Maybe I’m beginning to get it after all. Coconut bacon certainly makes everything better.

5 from 1 vote

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Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash with Coconut Bacon

A mix of tender maple roasted Brussels sprouts and butternut squash are topped with crunchy pecans and coconut bacon to make this flavorful vegan side dish!

Course Side

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Servings 4

Author Alissa

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 3/4 lb. Brussels sprouts halved
• 3/4 lb. butternut squash cut into 1 inch cubes
• 2 tbsp. maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 cup coconut bacon
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil to coat. Place in an even layer in 9 inch baking dish or cast iron skillet. Bake 15 minutes. If you're making coconut bacon as you roast your veggies, place it in the oven at this time as well and bake according to recipe directions. Bake Brussels sprouts and coconut bacon for 15 minutes.
3. Remove coconut bacon from oven and set aside to cool. Leave the Brussels sprouts in the oven.
4. Raise oven temperature to 400°. Bake Brussels spouts for another 15 minutes.
5. Add butternut squash, maple syrup, salt and pepper to Brussels sprouts. Toss to coat. Bake another 20 minutes, or until veggies are tender.
6. Divide onto plates and top with coconut bacon and pecans.

Recipe Notes

Obviously, you don't have to bake the coconut bacon at the same time as your veggies, but don't say I didn't warn you. If you've already got some coconut bacon lying around, just follow the recipe but skip the parts pertaining to coconut bacon prep. Also feel free to use store bought coconut bacon if it's available.

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