Oven Roasted Duck with Butternut Squash Puree

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Roasted Duck with Butternut Squash Puree features crispy duck legs and smooth squash puree. Topped with lemon sauce and fresh herbs, it’s ideal for cosy dinners or special occasions. Fall is coming, and this oven-roasted duck recipe is perfect for cool autumn evenings.

Roasted duck leg served with butternut squash puree on a white plate, garnished with lemon sauce and fresh green mint leaves.

Duck breast is a special treat and is great for celebrations. This low-carb dish turns into something extraordinary, teamed with creamy butternut squash puree and savoury mint sauce. Perfect for a fancy dinner at home.

Here are a few popular picks if you’re searching for your next meal idea or an easy dessert!

For a quick and satisfying meal, try a tuna and potato dish—perfect when you’re short on time. If you prefer a healthier option, make a protein-packed mayo without oil to top your salad.

Craving something sweet? This apple cake with more fruit than dough is a must-try! For a savoury protein hit, go for spinach and pepper chicken.

For breakfast, this low-calorie cabbage frittata is a veggie-packed winner. Or, enjoy baked pears with gorgonzola as a delicious snack.

If you need something light, potato frittata makes a great side. Snack on these turkey wontons for a light, tasty bite.

Wrap it up with a sweet treat—this morello cherry sponge cake is light yet indulgent. Or, try a moist yoghurt cake for a simple dessert.

These recipes are simple, quick, and perfect to pair with your salad or enjoy on their own!

Roasted Duck with Butternut Squash Puree

When in season, I love to make the most of this vegetable and use it in every recipe I know. From soups and stews to desserts, baked dishes, and fried treats, I incorporate it in various ways. I cut it into cubes and freeze it for future use, so it’s always on hand whenever needed.

Each year, I aim to enhance the Autumn Collection with more recipes. If you enjoy this pumpkin recipe, you’ll also love my Butternut Squash Lasagne for a quick meal or my pumpkin muffins as a dessert and some pumpkin bread for a cute baked treat.

I love baking quick, autumn-inspired treats that are easy to make and taste incredible. I can create delicious fall recipes for my family with simple, seasonal ingredients like apples, pumpkins, pears, and squash. Sharing these homemade autumn bakes makes for special memories that last.

Expert Tips

  • Season Generously: Rub duck legs with salt, pepper, and herbs in advance for extra flavour.
  • Moist Meat and Crisp Skin: Bake the duck covered for juicy meat, then uncover and roast at a high temperature for crispy skin.
  • Smooth Puree: Roast butternut squash until tender, then blend with olive oil and seasoning. Add vegetable broth if needed for a creamy texture.

Equipment

A food processor is useful for preparing the butternut squash puree.

Step-by-step instructions

Ready to whip up something special? Try our Roasted Duck with Butternut Squash Puree! This recipe combines succulent duck with a smooth, creamy squash puree for a cosy, satisfying meal. We’ll guide you through each step, from prepping the duck to making the butternut squash puree and roasting everything to perfection.

Check out our detailed guide with step-by-step photos to help you create this delicious dish with ease!

**Two duck legs seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil, arranged on a pan and ready to be baked.**

Use paper towels to dry the duck legs, then season them with kosher salt and ground black pepper.

Two halves of butternut squash on a baking pan, seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil, ready for roasting.

Place halved, seeded squash on it. Drizzle with olive oil, season, cover with foil and roast.

Two roasted duck legs on a baking pan, perfectly crisp and golden brown.

Place the duck legs in a roasting pan. Cover with foil and roast for 40 minutes. Uncover and roast for another 20 minutes until the skin is crispy

Two halves of butternut squash, roasted and golden brown, on a baking pan.

Once baked, scoop the squash flesh into a blender or food processor.

Medium-sized butternut squash, olive oil, kosher salt, ground black pepper, mascarpone cheese, and grated parmesan cheese in a clear bowl, ready to be blended smooth.

Blend roasted squash with mascarpone, butter, parmesan, and olive oil until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Medium-sized butternut squash, olive oil, kosher salt, ground black pepper, mascarpone cheese, and grated parmesan cheese in a clear bowl, blended smooth.

The puree should be silky and smooth with no lumps.

Unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves, and minced fresh sage or mint, with half a grated lemon, all sautéed gently in a pan.

While the duck and squash roast, melt butter in a saucepan. Cook minced garlic until fragrant, then stir in sage or mint and grated lemon. Remove from heat.

Roasted Duck with Butternut Squash Puree

Serve the butternut squash puree with the duck leg on top, drizzled with sauce, and garnished with sage or mint leaves.

A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Drinks that Pair Well with This Dish

For a roasted duck with butternut squash puree, consider these drinks:

  • Pinot Noir: Its subtle fruitiness and low tannins pair well with the rich duck and sweet puree.
  • Chardonnay: A full-bodied, oaked Chardonnay complements the dish’s creamy texture.
  • Merlot: Smooth and medium-bodied, Merlot balances the duck’s richness.
  • Gewürztraminer: This aromatic white wine matches the sweetness of the butternut squash.
  • Hard Cider: The crisp acidity and slight sweetness of hard cider work nicely with the duck and puree.

Storage

Leftovers can be kept in the fridge with roasted duck stored in an airtight container, staying fresh for 3-4 days. Butternut squash puree should also be in an airtight container and will last 4-5 days. Be sure both are cooled to room temperature before refrigerating.

FAQs

You can substitute other squashes like pumpkin or acorn squash if butternut squash isn’t available.

You can leave the skin on when roasting butternut squash. It will become tender during cooking and is easy to remove after roasting if desired.

No, they differ in a few key ways. Pumpkins are typically available from September to November, while butternut squash is available year-round. In terms of nutrition, butternut squash offers a more balanced profile, whereas pumpkins have fewer carbs and calories.

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Roasted duck leg served with butternut squash puree on a white plate, garnished with lemon sauce and fresh green mint leaves.

Roasted Duck with Butternut Squash Puree

Claudia
Roasted Duck with Butternut Squash Puree features crispy duck legs and smooth squash puree. This flavorful and comforting dinner is perfect for special occasions, topped with a tasty lemon sauce and fresh herbs.
5 from 10 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine European
Servings 4
Calories 1005 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 duck legs patted dry
  • salt
  • Ground black pepper

For Sauce

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (115 g)
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • Fresh sage or mint minced
  • ½ lemon, grated

For Puree

  • 1 butternut squash, medium-sized about 900 g
  • Olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • 8 oz. mascarpone (225 g)
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese grated (50 g)

For Garnish

  • whole sage leaves or mint leaves

Instructions
 

  • Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Prepare Duck Legs: Pat duck legs dry with paper towels and season with kosher salt and ground black pepper.
  • Roast Duck Legs: Place the duck legs in a roasting pan. Roast, covered with aluminium foil, for 40 minutes. Then uncover and roast for an additional 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crisp.
  • Prepare Butternut Squash Puree: Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Cut the squash in half, remove the seeds, score the flesh, and place it on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with kosher salt and ground black pepper. Roast, covered with aluminium foil, for 30 minutes. Then uncover and roast for an additional 20 minutes.
  • Make the Sauce: While the duck and squash are roasting, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in minced sage or mint and grated lemon. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Blend the Puree: Scoop the roasted squash flesh into a blender or food processor. Add mascarpone, butter, grated parmesan cheese, and a splash of olive oil. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Finish the Dish: Let the duck legs rest for a few minutes after roasting. Reheat the sauce if needed.
  • Serve: Spoon the butternut squash puree onto plates, top with a roasted duck leg, and drizzle with the sauce. Garnish with whole sage or mint leaves.
  • Enjoy your roasted duck with creamy butternut squash puree!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 1005kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 56gFat: 76gSaturated Fat: 38gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 325mgSodium: 451mgPotassium: 697mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 21543IUVitamin C: 43mgCalcium: 308mgIron: 5mg
Keyword autumn recipe, butternut squash, roast duck
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5 from 10 votes

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Recipe Rating




10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Roasted duck with butternut squash puree tastes wonderful. I tried it. The perfect touch of sweetness from butternut squash balanced well.

  2. 5 stars
    I have butternut squash growing in the garden and duck in the freezer! As soon as the weather cools, I’ll be making this delicious looking dish!

  3. 5 stars
    This is seriously a restaurant-quality recipe. The flavors are fantastic, and the plating is so pretty with the color of the butternut squash.