I love fries, especially sweet potato fries. But, it's also nice to mix things up and make fries out of other produce like jicama, plantains and squash. These unsweetened Rosemary Squash Fries the perfect side dish for adding some variety in your diet. They are made with butternut squash and only seasoned with rosemary and salt. These fries are Paleo, Whole 30 approved, vegan AND allergy friendly.

Sometimes, I feel intimidated by squash. It's like choosing a melon. It can have a gorgeous outer skin, feel heavy and have the perfect "thump" when you tap it, but every now and then you still get a bad one. For instance, one that tastes bland or is starting to rot on the inside.

With the price being per pound, it can be an expensive mistake. However, this year I've been fairly lucky with my squash picks. I've also learned to not fret about the waste if I pick one that isn't up to par and I have to toss it. It happens, I'm over it, I'll try again. Because, when you are successful (which, to be honest, is most of the time) it makes up for the few "bad" ones. A good squash is a great squash, especially if you know how to cook it.

How to Pick a Good Butternut Squash

Although you can find butternut squash year round, it tastes best when it's in season. Here in the US it's in-season from early fall to winter.

When picking a squash, look for one that:

seems heavy for its size
has a firm and in-tact stem
is a solid, beige color
doesn't have any cuts, bumps or bruises
sounds hollow when you tap it

How to Cook Butternut Squash

Butternut squash, well any squash, can be cooked and eaten in a variety of ways. For instance:

steamed
used in soup
baked in the oven
spirilized and sauteed on the stove top
made into a casserole
used in a stir fry
cooked in the microwave
grilled

For this particular recipe, I cut the butternut squash into fry shapes and baked it in the oven. This method requires little preparation and the cooking method is fairly hands-off.

This easy Paleo side dish would pair well with any type of protein or even tossed onto a salad. These Rosemary Squash Fries can also be eaten alone or dipped into your favorite sauce.