Mashed Butternut Squash with Cumin and Chili

In this recipe, we balance the sweet, nutty flavor of butternut squash with earthy cumin and spicy, smoky chili. Rather than steam or boil the squash, we roast it in a moderately hot oven to caramelize some of the sugars and concentrate the flavors, and we toss raw pumpkin seeds onto the baking sheet midway through to add a little richness and texture. If you have only toasted pumpkin seeds on hand, instead of adding them to the squash in the oven, fold them in after the squash is mashed. Crema is a tangy Mexican cultured cream similar to sour cream but more pourable in consistency. If using sour cream, stir the lime juice into it before adding it to the squash before mashing.