Squash- From Porch Decor to Delicious Soups and Sides

Have you ever seen those big, tough-skinned squash and gourds piled outside the grocery store? They look scary, especially compared to their smaller, easier-to-handle cousins in the produce section.

These squashes belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, including pumpkins, gourds, and winter squash. They often become decorations on people's front porches from November to December.

But don't be fooled by their appearance!

Underneath their colorful and sometimes bumpy outsides, there is a lot of nutritious flesh that is great for making soups. This flesh has just the right amount of starch to give the soup a smooth and creamy texture. Of course, you can also bake or roast these squashes. Many types of squash have skin that is safe to eat, so you don't even need to peel them before cooking.

Kabocha Squash

One such type of squash is kabocha, also known as Japanese pumpkin. This squash has green skin, orange flesh, and a shape similar to a pumpkin. When cooked, the flesh becomes super sweet and is packed with beta-carotene, which is great for your health. In fact, just one cup of kabocha provides more than 200% of your daily value of vitamin A!

Before you start cooking with kabocha, there's a handy trick. Put the whole squash in an oven set at 350°F for about 20 minutes. Baking softens the skin and makes cutting, peeling, and chopping much easier and safer. Once it's prepped, you can use kabocha instead of butternut squash in your favorite soup recipe for a tasty twist.

Acorn Squash

Acorn squash comes in shades ranging from dark green to tie-dyed green with hints of orange. Unlike kabocha, its flesh is less sweet and leans more toward yellow than orange. The bonus? A cup of acorn squash gives you over 25% of your daily recommended vitamin C intake.

To get started, you can soften the squash by heating it in the oven, though its small size might only sometimes require this step. Trim the top, place it upside down on a cutting board, and slice from bottom to top, creating two halves. Scoop out the seeds, then consider baking the halves with a drizzle of olive oil and a touch of maple syrup. In just 30 minutes at 350°F, you'll have a fantastic side dish. For an alternative approach, you can cut the squash into half-moon slices and prepare them for roasting.

Sugar Pumpkin: More Than Just Carving

Don't confuse sugar pumpkins with the larger ones used for carving. These are cultivated explicitly for cooking and tend to be sweeter. If you've ever wanted to use pumpkin in your recipes, sugar pumpkins are your go-to option.

To cook the flesh, start by removing the stem and making a few slits in the skin. Roasting the entire pumpkin is the way to go – this keeps the flesh moist and allows the sugars to develop. Pop it in the oven at 350°F for around an hour, then let it cool before proceeding. Cut off the top portion, scoop out the seeds, and extract the tender flesh.

You can get creative by adding pumpkin to your hummus or stirring it into yogurt. And, of course, it's a fantastic ingredient for baking!

Delicata Squash: Simple Pleasures

For a hassle-free cooking experience, turn to the delicata squash. With its mild, nutty flavor, firm flesh, and thin edible skin, it's a winner in terms of ease of preparation.

Start by rinsing the squash, then cut it in half and remove the seeds. Slice it into half-moons and toss them with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. After about 20 minutes in a 350°F oven, you'll have beautifully browned delicata squash slices. They're so delicious that you might enjoy them as a fiber-rich snack!

So, the next time you encounter these diverse squash varieties, remember they're not just for decoration. With a few simple steps, you can transform them into mouth-watering dishes that add both flavor and nutrients to your meals.

As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, why not embrace the world of squash in your kitchen?

For more great recipes, check out my digital menu planner. It's loaded with recipes and generates your weekly shopping list too.

Eating healthy and getting in those minerals vital to keeping our bodies functioning at their optimal level can be tasty and fun!

Check out my website to schedule an appointment. Learn how maximizing your nutrient intake can add value to your health and well-being.

In good health,

Stephanie