Celebrating the Winter Squash

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By The Paula Deen Test Kitchen

Winter squash varieties include acorn squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, and pumpkin. Squash can be stored (whole) in a cool place for several months and is versatile because every part of can be eaten: flesh, seeds, blossoms, leaves, even shoots.

Its thick skin often makes squash difficult to peel. Place squash in the microwave for about 3 minutes, it will be softer and easier to peel, cut, and remove seeds. If you need to remove the skin before cooking, a vegetable peeler is the best tool. If you don’t need to remove the seeds or peel before cooking (like for mashed squash), cut the squash in half and bake it first, then just scoop the flesh out of the skin with a spoon.

A 1.5 pound squash should be halved and baked at 350 for 45 minutes; quartered and steamed for 25 minutes; or quartered, placed cut side down in ¼ cup water, covered, and cooked in the microwave for 6 minutes per pound. Your squash is done when a fork is easily inserted into the flesh (similar to potatoes). One 2.5 pound who squash equals about 3 cups pureed squash.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, the fun part starts! Check out our favorite recipes using this truly versatile vegetable.

Pumpkin Risotto with Sage and Spicy Sausage: Sweet pumpkin, savory rice, and spicy sausage are perfectly combined in this rich, filling dish.

Pumpkin Orzo: This sweet and sour dish is sure to please. It has sweet pumpkin, sour balsamic vinegar, and zesty fresh ginger.

Rosemary and Garlic Roasted New Potatoes: Squash is a great substitution for potatoes. Try this recipe with butternut or acorn squash.

Roasted Pumpkin Spears with Parmesan: These spears are crunchy and creamy, salty and sweet. They’re impressive and so simple to make!

Creamy Squash Soup: The combination of butternut squash and sweet carrots makes this soup rich and creamy.

Creamy Pumpkin Soup: Pumpkin is delicious in any form! This savory soup is great for a cold winter day.

Curried Squash and Apple Soup: This combination of apple and acorn squash makes this soup creamy and delicious.

Pumpkin Seed Snack Mix: This mix is salty and sweet. Pumpkin seeds can be substituted with any other winter squash seeds!

Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds:These seeds are slightly spicy and slightly sweet. They would be a perfect topping for a salad or stir fry!

Tomato and Crab Spaghetti:Substitute 1 pound spaghetti for 1 spaghetti squash. The sweet sun-dried tomatoes will go well with the squash noodles.

Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad: Instead of using penne pasta, use cooled spaghetti squash. This is perfect for a party salad.

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle: This trifle is an impressive holiday dessert. The mix of spicy gingerbread cookies, sweet pumpkin, and fluffly cool whip is sure to please!

Pumpkin Bars: These bars are excellent for holiday parties because they can be cut into bite-sized servings. Don’t be discouraged from substituting pumpkin for another winter squash.

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie:This variation on classic Pumpkin Pie is light and fluffy. Perfect for a lighter, less-dense, holiday dessert.

Read More From What's in Season.

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Reader Comments:

Very Simple - last leg of cooking squash in oven - flip over and fill hole with pie filling - Apple is very good but my favorite is peach . Gets even the pickiest eater to try their squash.

By Michele Underwood on April 10, 2013

Pauladeen.com

Celebrating the Winter Squash

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