Delicata Squash Gruyère Gratin

Delicata Squash Gruyère Gratin… three of my favorite things. This gratin is an indulgence. The sweet, creamy delicata squash melts into the creamy, nutty backdrop of Gruyère cheese punctuated by hints of fresh thyme. A delicious, satisfying, comforting side dish that would be a perfect addition to the Thanksgiving table. The best part? This gratin is low carb and keto-friendly and provides a significant amount of Vitamin A per serving, which is an immune-boosting nutrient. Okay, four of my favorite things!

The Inspiration

For me, anything gratinéed, and anything with Delicata squash. If you have been here at all, you know I love cheese… read on to see why Delicata Squash is one of my favorites. I adapted this recipe from a classic, foolproof potato gratin on Bon Appetit.

The Ingredients

The star of this recipe is the delicata squash. It is my favorite of the winter squashes and is one of the winter squashes with the lowest carb count. Thank goodness.

Delicata squash are a significant source of Vitamin A, which supports a healthy immune system, is good for eyesight and bone density, and may lower your risk of certain cancers. This squash is also a good source of fiber, which helps to offset the carbs, making it a low-carb, keto-friendly winter squash.

Fiber is an essential component for a healthy diet. It feeds the good bacteria in your gut. As we are growing increasingly aware, your gut health is one of the most important factors in your overall health and well being. A healthy gut not only feeds your cells, but contributes to your immunity, warding off viruses and bacteria. It also communicates with your brain through your nerves and hormones, playing a large part in your general health, mood, and sense of well being.

The supporting roles in this dish are Gruyère cheese, cream, fresh thyme an sage, and nutmeg. Gruyère cheese is an alpine style of cheese originating in Switzerland. It is sweet, slightly salty, and has a creamy, nutty taste. It is excellent paired with fall flavors.

The Steps

Preheat oven to 325°. Cut 1 garlic clove in half and rub the inside of a shallow baking dish with the cut sides. Smear butter all over the inside of dish.

Next, prepare the squash. Wash the Delicata squash, cut them into 1/2 inch rounds, and remove the seeds. Slice these in half, so you have half circles (like Delicata rainbows).

In a small saucepan, bring the shallots, cream, salt, pepper, fresh thyme, sage, and remaining garlic cloves to a slow simmer over low heat; cook the mixture until the shallots and garlic are very soft, about 15–20 minutes. Let cool slightly. Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth.

Now it’s time to assemble the gratin. I used an oval baking dish and tightly bunched the Delicata squash slices in bundles upright to expose the rind for visual appeal, but they can be laid down and overlapped, or layered, whichever you prefer. Put them in as tightly as possible as they will fall slightly when they are cooked. I placed them in a crisscross pattern for visual appeal. Once the squash is in the dish, pour the cream mixture over the the top, leaving some squash exposed. Make sure to not fill to the rim, as the gratin will bubble and boil over in the oven if you do. Cover with foil and bake until the squash has softened and is creamy – about 60 minutes.

Heat the broiler in your oven. Remove the foil and top the gratin with the cheeses. Place the dish on the top rack of the oven and broil until the top of the gratin has turned a golden brown – about 5-10 minutes. Keep your eye on it so that it does not burn.

Bring the dish directly to the table, bubbling and cheesy. Gratins are best served hot.

You can bake this dish a day ahead, and do the final broil just before serving. To do so, after baking, let cool, cover, and refrigerate. To finish, bring to room temperature again, cover with cheese, and broil before serving.

The Results

Just in time for Thanksgiving comes the ultimate comfort food indulgence with a healthy dose of immune boosting Vitamin A. So while this rich and creamy gratin may seem like a treat, it is actually a low-carb and keto-friendly side dish which should earn a spot at the Thanksgiving table.

Click here for more low carb, keto-friendly Thanksgiving recipe suggestions!

If you make this Delicata Squash Gruyere Gratin be sure to leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you. And if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see!

How To Make: Delicata Squash Gruyere Gratin