BrazilianMedium · Warm
Butternut Squash and Black Bean Crostini with Lime
Crispy toasted bread topped with a smoky black bean mash and caramelized roasted butternut squash, brightened with fresh lime and herbs — a warm, welcoming appetizer with Brazilian soul.
Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Total
45 min
Method
1
Preheat oven to 200°C. Toss butternut squash with olive oil, cumin, and salt on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast 25-30 minutes, until tender and golden at the edges.
2
3
Add black beans and lime juice to the skillet. Stir and mash with a wooden spoon until roughly broken down but still textured, about 4-5 minutes. Season with cumin and salt. Remove from heat.
4
Brush bread slices with olive oil on both sides. Place on a dry baking sheet or skillet over medium-high heat. Toast 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Rub cut garlic clove over hot toasts.
5
Spread a generous spoonful of black bean mash onto each toast. Top with roasted butternut squash cubes. Finish with fresh cilantro leaves and a squeeze of lime. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
A
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -9
Calories
627
per serving
Source of protein · 26gHigh in fibre · 24gLow sugar · 8g
Protein
26g
Carbs
98g
Fat
17g
Sat. fat
5g
Fiber
24g
Sugar
8g
Sodium
943mg
Gluten FreeLow CholesterolPlant ForwardAnti InflammatoryBlood Sugar BalanceDigestive SupportHeart HealthyHigh FiberPlant ProteinSustainable Energy
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
A
Environmental impact
Very low impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
0.4
per serving
ACarbonAEU all-round· both agree
Water
0.8m³
Runoff
0.04g P
black beans, drained drives 45% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
6
Umami
3
Sweet
5
Salty
2
Sour
1
Bitter
2
Spicy
Textures
CreamyCrispyTender
Aromas
HerbalSmoky
Kitchen Equipment
Techniques
Safety & Storage
Cross Contamination
Use separate cutting boards for raw garlic and other ingredients. Sanitize surfaces between uses.
Handling
Allow roasted butternut squash to cool slightly before handling to prevent burns. The squash cubes will be 200°C/392°F when removed from oven.
Storage
Store roasted butternut squash and black bean mash separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Assemble crostini immediately before serving as toasted bread will become soggy.
Equipment Safety
When rubbing cut garlic on hot crostini, use tongs or a fork to hold the bread. The skillet is at medium-high heat and bread can ignite if left unattended.
High Risk Population
This dish contains raw garlic rubbed onto hot toast. Immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, young children, and elderly should consume only cooked garlic to avoid bacterial contamination risk.
Pro Tips
Technique
When you roast the squash, don't stir it too much — let those edges get golden and caramelized. That char is where the sweetness deepens, and it pairs so beautifully with the beans. I learned this from my mãe, who said good food needs patience, not interference.
Flavor Boost
After toasting your bread, rub each slice generously with the cut garlic while it's still hot. The heat opens up the pores of the bread and the garlic melts right in — this is the foundation of everything, that garlicky warmth that makes you want to close your eyes when you bite in.
From the chef
In Minas Gerais, we never let a guest leave hungry, and we never waste what the earth gives us. When autumn brings this beautiful butternut squash and my black beans are bubbling away, I think about how my mãe would layer everything together — she loved contrast, the smoky against the sweet, the bright lime cutting right through. These little toasts are my way of sharing that same warmth with new friends here in Barcelona, small bites that carry all the love of a hillside kitchen in Belo Horizonte straight to your communal table.
TagsVegetarianBeansCrostiniRoasted VegetablesParty FoodBrazilian Inspired
AllergensWheat
Source: generated · June 13, 2026