Three butternut side dishes that prove it is good for much more than soup

You can make more than just soup with butternut.

Butternut soup earns plenty of attention once the weather cools down, but it often overshadows everything else this versatile vegetable can do.

If you've bought a large butternut and aren't in the mood for another pot of soup, there are plenty of ways to turn it into a side dish that feels just as satisfying.

Its natural sweetness works well with salty cheeses, fresh herbs, garlic and toasted seeds, while its soft texture makes it equally suited to roasting, steaming or cooking on the stovetop.

The result is a vegetable that comfortably sits alongside roast chicken, grilled meat or fish, yet is substantial enough to become the main attraction on a meat-free table.