Palm & Vine
  • Home
  • Free Resources
  • About Me
  • Press & Portfolio
  • Services
  • Contact Me
  • Wine
    • Tastings & Events
    • Wineries
    • World of Wine
  • Rare Varieties
  • Food & Wine
  • Musings

Copyright © 2023 Palm & Vine.
All Rights Reserved.
 

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Disclaimer

Social Links

Free Resources
Contact
Palm & Vine
Palm & Vine Palm & Vine
  • Wine
    • Wine Tastings & Events
    • World of Wine
    • Wineries
  • Rare Varieties
  • Food & Wine
  • About
    • My Wine Lifestyle
    • Contact Me
  • Press & Portfolio
  • Services
    • Find Your Marketing Flavor Profile
    • Free Resources
  • WineComm 365
butternut squash crostini
  • Food & Wine
  • Wine

Butternut Squash Crostini with Whipped Feta for an Easy Fall Appetizer

  • 6 minute read
Total
23
Shares
22
0
1

Autumn is always such a special time of year. A beautiful transition season during which change is evident all around us. Temperatures start to drop, days become shorter, and a delightfully crisp air returns with a reminder that winter is on the way. The arrival of autumn also means the reappearance of the season’s produce. Though every season’s bounty satisfies in its own way, there’s an unmatched comfort to autumn’s fruits and vegetables. My favorite of which just might be the ever so versatile butternut squash. Recipes like butternut squash soup, creamy butternut squash pasta, and even a butternut squash tart are some of my beloved ways to transform this ingredient into the ultimate fall meal. Although now that entertaining season has arrived, I thought I’d set my sights on easy appetizer recipes to help you make holiday hosting a breeze. Enter: my savory butternut squash crostini with whipped feta.

An Easy Appetizer: Butternut Squash Crostini with Whipped Feta

butternut squash crostini

These crostini are super simple to prepare. All the components, except for the whipped feta, are prepared in the oven. So, if you already have the oven going while prepping dinner, these crostini will be even more of a breeze. However, if there is no additional space in your oven, worry not. The crostini components can be prepared in advance and assembled right before serving. Though you’ll want the toasted bread and butternut squash topping to be warm when serving.

The butternut squash roasts in the oven seasoned with olive oil, spices, and fresh sage. There’s something so delectable about the combination of nutty, caramelized butternut squash with aromatic sage. Yet this classic flavor combination reaches new heights when served on slices of warm, toasted baguette topped with tangy whipped feta. A pop of crunch from seasoned, toasted walnuts completes the crostini topping.

I’m not sure if you’ve tried whipped feta before, but there’s no going back once you do. It’s divine. If you’re a fan of feta, this will be your new favorite way to enjoy this Greek cheese. I’ve added another layer of flavor here with roasted garlic, which makes it even more irresistible. You’ll likely have leftover whipped feta after assembling your crostini. The leftovers can be used for vegetable dips and sandwich spreads. Alternatively, whipped feta can be drizzled into an omelet, or just plain eaten with a spoon. Yes, it’s that good.

If you’d like to make this a vegan appetizer, forego the whipped feta. Instead, roast a head of garlic in the oven and spread this on the toasted baguette as a base for the butternut squash.  

butternut squash crostini easy appetizer wine pairing

Southern Rhône Red Wines for Fall

These crostini deliver a symphony of flavors which effortlessly come together in a nutty, savory, tangy bite. They’re begging to be paired with an earthy yet fruit forward red wine, ideally one with herbal or mineral qualities, too. A Southern Rhône red blend does just the trick. These French red wines are always my go-to for fall.

Southern Rhône reds are typically made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, plus other grape varieties like Cinsault or Counoise depending on the appellation. The result is a well-balanced red wine with red fruit flavors and hints of dried herbs or orange peel from Grenache. Syrah contributes an earthy intensity and Mourvèdre brings deep black fruit or meaty flavors. They also offer enticing aromas of wild Mediterranean shrubs, known as garrigue, thought to come from the terroir of the region. Plus, Grenache contributes a delicious roundness and alcoholic richness to the blend, balanced by the tannin and structure of Syrah and Mourvèdre.

It’s easy to image how these flavor characteristics favorably pair with autumn ingredients. Think savory sage, sweet and nutty butternut squash, or other root vegetables and seasonal greens. Southern Rhône red wines are also hearty enough to satisfy the palate during cooler weather. Yet they’re not so intense in tannin or body that they need to be paired with a robust meal for optimal enjoyment.

Château de Rouanne

The perfect wine pairing for my butternut squash crostini serendipitously arrived on my doorstep by way of a Winebow. I’m such a fan of this importer and distributor. They truly have a portfolio of the utmost quality. Anyways, this time around I absolutely fell in love with the Château de Rouanne Vinsobres 2019.

Château de Rouanne is a sister estate to the legendary Château de Saint Cosme in Gigondas. This hidden gem is a historic estate situated on a classified ancient Roman site with a 12th century medieval castle in the Southern Rhône Valley. The original Roman owner of the estate was called Rugius, the inspiration behind the winery’s current name.

The wine world is anxiously waiting to discover what Château de Rouanne has in store in years to come thanks to a recent change in ownership. Winemaker Louis Barruol, owner and winemaker at the famed Château de Saint Cosme, purchase Rouanne in May 2019. Barruol used Château de Rouanne as a source for some of his négociant wines and sees enormous potential in the estate.

“It reminds me a lot of Saint Cosme when I took it over in 1992. It’s an unknown sleeping beauty waiting for a vigneron to truly love it.” – Winemaker Louis Barruol

The estate vineyard is an atypical single block planted with 50+ year old vines, namely selection massale of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Soils here are limestone and sandy marl dating back to the Pilocene epoch.

Vinsobres AOC

Established in 2006, Vinsobres is a relatively new appellation with respect to other French AOCs. The appellation rests on the northern end of the Southern Rhône Valley. A position which lends itself to a relatively cool-climate region. The cold, nocturnal wine called the Pontias blows down from the Alps into Vinsobres, culminating in a trademark freshness in the Grenache-dominant wines of the AOC.

Château de Rouanne Vinsobres 2019

Vinsobres French Red Wine

Barruol implemented whole cluster fermentation and used indigenous yeasts for his inaugural Vinsobres vintage at Château de Rouanne. Including the stems in fermentation helped retain acidity and tannin in the wine, as the stems absorb some of the alcohol. The wine aged for 16 months in concrete vats. It’s unfined and unfiltered for the truest expressions of terroir. 50% Grenache. 40% Syrah. 10% Mourvèdre.

Tasting Notes:

  • Deep ruby with purple reflections.
  • Beautifully aromatic nose with notes of strawberry, violet, lavender, blackberry, lingonberry, baking spices, leather, garrigue, and juniper.
  • One of those wines you just can’t stop smelling.
  • Medium bodied with medium+ acidity and fine-grained tannins.
  • Velvety smooth palate, luxurious yet fresh mouthfeel with similar flavors.
Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres 2019

Wine Pairing for This Easy Appetizer

The characteristics of the Château de Rouanne Vinsobres 2019 paired brilliantly with the flavors of the butternut squash crostini with whipped feta. The sweet nuttiness of the butternut squash and toasted walnuts enhanced the red and black fruit flavors of the wine. Whereas the sage made the herbal garrigue notes of the Vinsobres pop. Tangy whipped feta complemented the wine’s vibrant acidity and bright fruit flavors. While the wine’s baking spice aromas paired with the seasoned nuts and herbs in the butternut squash. This is a food and wine pairing sure to wow your guests this season.

The Recipe

Print
Butternut Squash Crostini with Whipped Feta
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
 

Savory butternut squash with toasted walnuts top a warm crostini spread with garlic infused whipped feta.

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Keyword: butternut squash, Crostini
Servings: 8
Ingredients
  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped sage
  • salt, pepper, red pepper flakes to taste
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 cup crumbled feta
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup walnut pieces
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 tsp coconut sugar
  • 1/3 tsp cayenne
  • 1 fresh baguette
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Peel butternut squash; cut in halflengthwise and remove seeds. Cut into small cubes. Toss butternut squash cubeswith 2 tbsp olive oil, dried rosemary, fresh sage, pinch of salt, pepper, andred pepper flakes to taste. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until tender, turning occasionallyto avoid browning.

  2. While the butternut squash is roasting, peel 3 cloves ofgarlic. Place on a piece of tin foil, drizzle with olive oil, then wrap the tinfoil to close. Place the tin foil wrapped garlic cloves in the oven to roastfor approximately 8 minutes.

  3. Season the walnut pieces with avocado oil (or olive oil),salt, pepper, cayenne, and coconut sugar. Place on a small parchment-lined bakingdish and bake in the oven for 3-4 minutes until toasted.

  4. In a food processor, blend the roasted garlic cloves with thefeta, sour cream, and cream cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Blend until aspreadable consistency is reached. Place the whipped feta in the refrigerator. (Useless sour cream for a denser consistency.)

  5. Cut 1-inch-thick slices of baguette on a diagonal to havemore spreadable surface area. Brush with olive oil and place under a broiler onhigh for 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully and remove when desired toast level isreached.

  6. To serve, spread the whipped feta on the semi-cooled crostini.Top with butternut squash and toasted walnut pieces.

Share 22
Tweet 0
Pin it 1

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Total
23
Shares
Share 22
Tweet 0
Pin it 1
Related Topics
  • Appetizers
  • Food and Wine
  • Red Wine
  • red wine pairing
Previous Article
Murphy-Goode Wine
  • Food & Wine
  • Wine

Murphy-Goode Wine is Ready to Make Friendsgiving a Goode Time

View Post
Next Article
autumnfritto misto
  • Food & Wine

Autumn Fritto Misto for a Delectable Spanish Cava Pairing

View Post

You May Also Like

vineyard planting donkeys sardinia
View Post
  • 4 min
  • Musings
  • Wine

Our Sardinian Vineyard Planting Adventure Begins!

Italian wines for Christmas dinner
View Post
  • 13 min
  • Food & Wine
  • Wine
  • World of Wine

6 Italian Wines for Christmas Dinner and Beyond

autumnfritto misto
View Post
  • 5 min
  • Food & Wine

Autumn Fritto Misto for a Delectable Spanish Cava Pairing

Murphy-Goode Wine
View Post
  • 5 min
  • Food & Wine
  • Wine

Murphy-Goode Wine is Ready to Make Friendsgiving a Goode Time

Zenato Winery Italian Wines
View Post
  • 4 min
  • Wineries

Zenato Winery: Italian Wines in the Heart of Lugana & Valpolicella

Orecchiette Pasta Wine Pairing
View Post
  • 3 min
  • Food & Wine

Orecchiette Pasta with Walnut Parsley Pesto, Asparagus & Spicy Sausage

Citrus Salad
View Post
  • 2 min
  • Food & Wine

Citrus Salad with Mozzarella, Avocado, Mint & Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Di Giovanna Grillo and Nerello Mascalese
View Post
  • 4 min
  • Wine
  • World of Wine

Di Giovanna New Releases: 2021 Grillo & Nerello Mascalese Rosato

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Discover Your Digital Marketing Flavor Profile

Winery digital marketing, wine social media marketing, winery brand messaging
about

About

Hi, I’m Nikki. Welcome to Palm & Vine – a wine blog for the adventurous at heart. Allow me to guide you into the world of wine, help you create unforgettable wine pairings, and inspire your wine travels to far off destinations. I can’t wait to savor, sip, and wander together.
Read More

Let’s Connect!

Free resources
Subscribe & Get Access To My Exclusive Digital Wine Resource Library!
Marketing by
ActiveCampaign

Rare Varieties

  • Freisa, italian wine, red wine, piedmont, piemonte italy
    • Rare Varieties

    Freisa – A Rare Italian Red Related to Nebbiolo

      • Rare Varieties
    View Post
  • Roero, Arneis, Piedmont Italy, Italian wine, wine region
    • Rare Varieties

    Arneis: Piedmont’s Great White Italian Wine

      • Rare Varieties
    View Post
  • Verduno Pelaverga, Piedmont, Cuneo
    • Rare Varieties

    Pelaverga a.k.a. One of Piedmont’s Most Delicious Rare Varieties

      • Rare Varieties
    View Post
  • Timorasso, Derthona, Walter Massa
    • Rare Varieties

    Timorasso – From Nearly Extinct to Cult Classic

      • Rare Varieties
    View Post
  • slarina, Italian red wine, Monferrato
    • Rare Varieties

    Slarina: Almost Extinct Age Worthy Red Wines in Monferrato

      • Rare Varieties
    View Post

Watch Wine Masters TV

wine masters TV, wine documentary, learn about wine, wine movies, gaja, mastroberardino, antinori, italian wine, french wine, spanish wine

Instagram

I had a really specific person in mind when I created my quiz: What's your wine brand's digital marketing flavor profile?
If you’re a wine brand or business struggling with digital marketing and breaking through the noise on social media, I get it.
If you’re slinging wine, then you need to know how to write about it! Nothing groundbreaking, but at the very least you should be able to write enticing tasting notes...
📣📣 Calling all wine brands, wineries, wine shops, and wine businesses! I'm excited to share something I've been cooking up for you...
✨ Save this post for a must-try restaurant for the next time you find yourself in 📍Nuoro, Sardegna…
Are you ready to visit one of the world's most renowned wine regions with me?
Follow

Posts You’ll Love

  • aromas in wine, wine tasting, red wine aromas, primary aromas
    Aromas in Wine: 25 of the Most Common Wine Aromas Explained
  • Adelaida Vineyards & Winery
    Exclusive Look Inside Adelaida Vineyards & Winery
  • Bud Break in Burgundy
    Bud Break, Flowering & Fruit Set – Nature’s Gift to Wine Lovers
  • Cannonau
    Sardinian Cannonau is a Global Contender
  • Vernaccia di Oristano
    Vernaccia di Oristano – Sardinia’s Most Fascinating Wine
Palm & Vine Wine Blog

Copyright © 2023 Palm & Vine.
All Rights Reserved.
 

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Disclaimer

Featured Categories

Crostini Appetizer
Food & Wine
53 Posts
View Posts
Yarra Valley Wine Region
Musings
21 Posts
View Posts
Veraison Grapes
Rare Varieties
51 Posts
View Posts
Palm & Vine
Tastings & Events
19 Posts
View Posts
winemaking, wine country, wine region, vineyards
Wine
23 Posts
View Posts
Adelaida Vineyards & Winery
Wineries
35 Posts
View Posts
Vigne Surrau Barrel Room
World of Wine
38 Posts
View Posts
I had a really specific person in mind when I created my quiz: What's your wine brand's digital marketing flavor profile?
If you’re a wine brand or business struggling with digital marketing and breaking through the noise on social media, I get it.
If you’re slinging wine, then you need to know how to write about it! Nothing groundbreaking, but at the very least you should be able to write enticing tasting notes...
📣📣 Calling all wine brands, wineries, wine shops, and wine businesses! I'm excited to share something I've been cooking up for you...
✨ Save this post for a must-try restaurant for the next time you find yourself in 📍Nuoro, Sardegna…
Are you ready to visit one of the world's most renowned wine regions with me?
Subscribe & Get Access To My Exclusive Digital Wine Resource Library!
Marketing by
ActiveCampaign

Copyright © 2023 Palm & Vine.
All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Disclaimer

Free resources

Pinterest Profile

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

This website uses cookies to function and to track how you interact with the website. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Read More Cookie settings Accept
Cookie Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser, as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

 

Loading Comments...