Grilled Turkey Skewers with Delicata Squash, Ancho Chili Butter, and Lime

Name: Grilled Turkey Skewers with Delicata Squash, Ancho Chili Butter, and Lime
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 48 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Fusión contemporánea
Ingredients: 1.5 lb turkey breast, cut into 1.25-inch cubes; 14 oz delicata squash; 3 tbsp olive oil; 4 cloves garlic; 2 tsp lime zest; 3 tbsp lime juice; 2 tsp ground cumin; 2 tsp sweet paprika; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 1/4 tsp fine salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 4 tbsp unsalted butter; 2 tsp ground ancho chili; 1 tbsp honey; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro; 1 oz pumpkin seeds; 2 limes lime wedges

Juicy turkey skewers marinated with garlic, lime, and warm spices, grilled with half-moons of delicata squash and finished with a warm ancho chili cilantro butter. An original grilled recipe balancing vegetable sweetness, smoke, and bright acidity.

30 minPrep

18 minCook

48 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeLow CarbHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g turkey breast, cut into 1.25-inch cubes (for brochetas)
400 g delicata squash (en medias lunas of 1 cm, without semillas)
45 ml olive oil (divided)
12 g garlic (chopped fino)
4 g lime zest (of 2 limas)
45 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
4 g ground cumin
4 g sweet paprika
2 g dried oregano
8 g fine salt (divided)
2 g black pepper (divided)
60 g unsalted butter
5 g ground ancho chili
15 ml honey
16 g fresh cilantro (chopped, divided)
30 g pumpkin seeds (tostadas)
2 unit lime wedges (for servir)

Nutrition facts

per serving

396 kcal

Calories

41 g

Protein

12 g

Carbs

20 g

Fat

2 g

Fiber

10 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

Dairy

Instructions

1
1. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat, about 425 °F / 220 °C.
2
2. In a large bowl, combine 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil, minced garlic, lime zest, lime juice, ground cumin, sweet paprika, dried oregano, 6 g fine salt, 1 g black pepper, and half of the chopped cilantro. Add the turkey breast cubes and toss well to coat. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
3
3. In another bowl, toss the delicata squash with the remaining 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil, 2 g fine salt, and 1 g black pepper, making sure all the half-moons are evenly coated.
4
4. Thread the marinated turkey onto the skewers, leaving a little space between the cubes for even cooking. Place the delicata squash on a tray for grilling.
5
5. In a small saucepan or grill-safe skillet, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Add the ground ancho chili and honey, stir for 30 to 60 seconds without letting it burn, then remove from the heat. Stir in the remaining chopped cilantro and keep warm.
6
6. Lightly oil the grill grates. Grill the turkey skewers for 10 to 12 minutes total, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, until browned and the thickest piece reaches 165 °F / 74 °C.
7
7. At the same time, grill the delicata squash for 6 to 8 minutes per side, until tender with grill marks, 12 to 16 minutes total. If any pieces brown too quickly, move them to a medium-heat area, around 375 °F / 190 °C.
8
8. Transfer the skewers and squash to a serving platter. Spoon over the warm ancho lime butter and scatter the toasted pumpkin seeds on top.
9
9. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the turkey and squash to taste.

Chef tips

For deeper flavor, you can marinate the turkey for up to 1 hour in the refrigerator. Cut the squash evenly so it cooks at the same rate, and use a grill basket if the pieces are small.

Substitutions

You can swap delicata squash for thin slices of kabocha squash or thick zucchini rounds. The butter can be replaced with olive oil for a dairy-free version, and pumpkin seeds can be replaced with sunflower seeds if preferred.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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Illustrative image
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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Illustrative image
Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
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