Today was that day. I was standing in the supermarket, pacing around the produce department and wondering how I could jazz up our yearly Thanksgiving bread basket. As I stalked past the fall squash for the upteenth time (hovering around those cardboard bins of pumpkins had to have elicited some autumnal inspiration, right?), it hit me: Corn muffins. [Glances at supermarket’s array of squash…again.] BUTTERNUT SQUASH corn muffins.
Wait. Butternut squash corn muffins with FRIED SAGE.
And BACON.
Ooh! And CHEESE!
Hmm…still not autumnal enough… …………………… MAPLE SYRUP instead of honey. If I haven’t got you hooked by now, you’re probably the Thanksgiving Grinch, because basically these corn muffins are about as festive and as delicious as they come. The sweetness of the butternut squash compliments the corn perfectly; the sage and bacon add that crunchy saltiness that will satisfy all of your cravings; the cheese makes everything delightfully gooey; and the maple syrup ties it all together. Mission accomplished.
Recipe Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. (Note: We’ve edited this recipe since posting to adjust the baking time from 400 to 375 degrees. We found that the bottoms were getting just a bit too browned at 400 degrees.) On a parchment-lined baking sheet, toss the butternut squash cubes with 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, until tender and caramelized. Set aside.
In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, butter, and ¼ cup maple syrup.
Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until combined. Gently fold in the cooked butternut squash cubes…
Chopped bacon…
3/4 cup grated cheese…
And herbs…
Fold everything together thoroughly.
(You can save some of the squash, bacon, and herbs to top the muffins with later as well). Line your muffin pan with paper cups and fill the cups about 2/3 of the way full.
Top the muffins with the remaining ½ cup of cheese and any of the reserved squash, bacon, and herbs.
Bake for 16-18 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
