Maple-Bacon Butternut Squash Sticks

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup

maple syrup (Not the fake stuff if you can help it.)

leaves fresh sage

jalapeno chile Just a small one; seeds and placenta removed.

1 tsp

Kosher salt

1/2 tsp

black pepper cracked or ground fresh

1 lb

butternut squash Cut into 1 in x 4 in sticks (that weight is post-processed)

1/2 lb

bacon About 18-20 half-slices