This summer brought a little wake-up call. At my routine check-up, my doctor told me my triglycerides were high. Nothing too scary, but enough to make me take notice. If I wanted to stay off medication, I’d need to clean things up—no added sugar and limited saturated fats.

That news hit right as I was daydreaming about pumpkin bread, apple crisp, and every other fall favorite that’s usually loaded with butter and brown sugar. It felt a little unfair… how could I enjoy the season without the flavors I love most?

But I didn’t give up. I started experimenting—tweaking recipes, swapping ingredients, and focusing more on the beautiful produce fall has to offer. Then I stumbled on this bake: warm apples, roasted squash, a touch of spice, and just a whisper of sugar and butter.

When it came out of the oven, the whole house smelled like fall. Sweet, earthy, comforting. It was one of those moments where you realize that healthy changes don’t have to mean giving up joy—they just mean finding it in new ways.

The Usual Cast of Characters

• 1 ½ pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
• 2 Gala apples cored, and diced with or without skin.
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon or add a sprinkling of any fall spice combination.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, chopped
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup raisins

The Steps to Glory

Preheat the oven to 400°F

In a large bowl, combine the cubed butternut squash, diced apples, cinnamon, vanilla extract, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir until all ingredients are evenly coated.

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and spread it in an even layer.

Dot the chopped butter over the top of the mixture. Cover the dish and bake for 15 minutes.

Carefully remove the dish from the oven. Add the raisins, cranberries, and pecans, and toss to combine.

Cover the dish and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the squash is tender.

Remove from the oven, stir gently, and serve warm.

Metamorphosis