Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables with Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato
A simple and healthy air fryer vegetable recipe, perfect as a side dish or main course.
Steps
- 1
Place all vegetables in the air fryer basket. Drizzle with olive oil, add thyme sprigs and crushed garlic cloves. Toss well to coat evenly.
- 2
Cook at 200°C (400°F) for 20 minutes.
- 3
Shake the basket again and continue cooking for another 10-20 minutes, until vegetables are tender and lightly golden.
Shopping list
1 butternut squash, 1 sweet potato, 1 red bell pepper, 2 red onions, 200g new potatoes, 2-4 garlic cloves, fresh thyme, 1 tbsp olive oil
Recipe story
Butternut squash and sweet potato were brought to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century, becoming popular in Mediterranean cuisines. This recipe combines Spanish and Italian influences, perfectly adapted for modern air frying.
Ingredient Secrets
Black pepper
Known as 'black gold' in antiquity, pepper was so valuable that it served as currency and tribute. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the pepper trade, and individual peppercorns were often counted. Legend has it that when Alaric, king of the Visigoths, demanded tribute from Rome, he included 3,000 pounds of pepper.
Thyme
In ancient Rome, thyme was burned in temples to purify the air and ward off evil spirits, and Roman soldiers added it to their baths to strengthen their courage. In the Middle Ages, noble ladies embroidered thyme on knights' scarves as a symbol of bravery. The ancient Greeks used it in baths and temples, and its name derives from the Greek 'thymos', meaning 'courage'.
Garlic
Native to Central Asia, garlic was already known in ancient Egypt, where it was given to slaves to boost their strength. In ancient Greece, athletes consumed it before competitions, and in Rome, legionaries considered it essential for courage. During the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off vampires and the plague.
Onion
Probably originating in Central or West Asia, onions were cultivated in ancient Egypt, where they were considered a symbol of eternity and placed in tombs. In ancient Greece, athletes ate them to balance their blood, and in Rome, they were a staple food for soldiers. During the Middle Ages, onions were believed to protect against arrows and the plague.
Olive oil
Originating in the Mediterranean basin, olive oil was already produced in ancient Crete 5,000 years ago. In ancient Greece, it was considered a gift from Athena and used in lamps, cosmetics, and religious ceremonies. The Romans spread it throughout the empire, and in the Middle Ages, monasteries preserved the tradition of its production.
Cloves
Cloves, the dried buds of the exotic Syzygium aromaticum tree, were one of the most prized spices of the ancient world, often called 'aromatic gold'. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the clove trade, bringing them from the Maluku Islands, the only place they grew, and selling them at exorbitant prices in Europe.
Potato
Although today it seems indispensable on the table, the potato was long viewed with suspicion in Europe. Arriving from the Andes in the 16th century, it was considered a diabolical plant, even poisonous, due to its toxic leaves and fruits. It wasn't until the 18th century, thanks to promoters like Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, that the potato became a staple food, saving Europe from famine.
You may also like
Ninja Foodi Air Fryer & Pressure Cooker 4-Minute Corn on the Cob
Vegetables
Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds – Crispy and Golden
Vegetables
Air Fryer Green Beans – Quick and Tasty Side Dish
Vegetables
Oatmeal with Apples and Cinnamon in Air Fryer
Vegetables
Crispy Parmesan Zucchini Sticks in Air Fryer
Vegetables