By Getty Stewart, Professional Home Economist
Most squash are easily substituted. Acorn, butternut, buttercup, delicata and kabocha are fairly similar and can be use interchangeably. Delicata and kabocha are most like sweet potato and can also be used in recipes calling for sweet potatoes. Spaghetti squash has a very unique stringy texture that makes the most wonderful, delicious and nutritious substitute for spaghetti noodles. Hubbard, turban and buttercup are the most difficult to cut through and may work best as decorations.
Simple Cubed or Pureed Squash
Submitted by Getty Stewart, PHEc.
Sometimes, simple is best. If you’re just looking for a delicious side dish that provides a little more interest, nutrition and flavour than potatoes or rice, try these techniques to cook squash. Once you have the flesh, choose seasonings that will accompany your meal or simply use a little salt and pepper and serve either cubed or mashed like potatoes or sweet potatoes.
Oven Baking:
Cut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Place cut-side down in a greased baking dish. Bake at 350°F (180° C) for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until tender. Once cool to touch, remove flesh from rind. Cube or mash.
Steaming:
Cut squash into large pieces, remove seeds and place in steamer and cook until tender, about 25 to 35 minutes. Remove flesh from rind and cube or mash. Butternut squash has a thinner skin than most squash, to steam it, peel and cut squash to desired size before steaming. HINT: Cut the neck off the butternut squash and stand it upright on a cutting board to make peeling easier. Scoop out the seeds from the bulb, slice it into disks and then peel.
Boiling:
Peel and cut squash into pieces. Cover with water and boil until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
My Roots are Showing – Roasted Root Vegetables
Submitted by Jennifer Dyck, PHEc. Recipe courtesy of the Manitoba Canola Growers.
1/3 cup canola oil 75 mL
1/3 cup Manitoba maple syrup 75 mL
1/3 cup Maple Leaf Distillers Maple 75 mL
2 1/2 cup red potatoes, cut into wedge 625 mL
2 cup acorn squash, peeled and cut into cubes 500 mL
1 cup rutabaga, peeled and cut into cubes 250 mL
4 parsnips, peeled and cut lengthwise 4
4 carrots, peeled and cut lengthwise 4
1 head garlic, peeled and separated into cloves 1 head
1 large red onion, cut into eighths 1
1 tsp salt and pepper 5 mL
1 Tbsp dried basil 15 mL
Preheat oven to 425 F (220 C). Mix together all ingredients. Place mixture on roasting pan lined with parchment paper (for easy cleanup). Bake for 40 – 45 minutes, or until tested done. Turn vegetables occasionally. Makes
4 – 6 servings.
Spaghetti Squash with Butter and Parmesan
By Getty Stewart, PHEc, www.veggiedelight.ca
1 Spaghetti Squash
2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
2 Tbsp Butter, melted
¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
Salt and Pepper to taste
3 Tbsp Chopped parsley
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Place spaghetti squash cut sides down on the prepared baking sheet, and bake 30- 60 minutes until a sharp knife can be inserted with only a little resistance. Remove squash from oven and cool slightly. Use a fork gently scrape the inside of the squash to create spaghetti like strands. Scoop into a serving bowl and toss with melted butter, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and chopped parsley.
Mediterranean Spaghetti Squash
Submitted by Carly Gabler, RD, PHEc
1 Spaghetti Squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
1 Onion, chopped
1 clove Garlic, minced
1 ½ cups Chopped Tomatoes
¾ cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
3 Tbsp Sliced Black Olives
2 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Basil
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet. Place spaghetti squash cut sides down on the prepared baking sheet, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a sharp knife can be inserted with only a little resistance. Remove squash from oven. Set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic, and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, and cook only until tomatoes are warm.
Use a fork to scrape the stringy pulp from the squash. Toss with the sauteed vegetables, feta cheese, olives, and basil. Serve warm.
Confetti Spaghetti Squash
Courtesy of previous article by Donna Nelson, Public Health Nutritionist
1/4 cup Chicken Broth 60 mL
1 tsp Olive Oil 5 mL
1 tsp Wine Vinegar 5 ml
1/2 cup Diced Green Pepper 125 mL
1/2 cup Diced Sweet Red Pepper 125 mL
1/4 cup Diced Onion 60 mL
1/4 cup Minced Fresh Parsley 60 mL
1/4 tsp Ground Cumin 1 mL
1 Clove Garlic, minced 1
1 Medium Spaghetti Squash, cooked 1
Combine all of the ingredients except the squash in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for about two minutes. Add the cooked squash and toss until mixed. Cover and microwave for two additional minutes. Serve piping hot and enjoy the sumptuous squash!
Coconut Curried Butternut Squash Soup
Submitted by Amanda MacDonald, Manitoba Association of Home Economists member
1 Butternut Squash
4 tbsp Extra-virgin Olive oil
1 tsp Salt
½ tsp Pepper
1 Onion (diced)
3 cloves Garlic (diced)
1/2 inch Fresh Gingerroot (chopped)
1 Jalapeno Pepper (diced)
2 Tbsp Curry Paste (red)
5-6 cups Vegetable Stock
1 can Coconut Milk
1 Tbsp Chopped fresh cilantro or basil (garnish)
Pre-heat oven 375°F. Cut squash into quarters, remove seeds, drizzle with 2 Tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper and place cut side down on a baking sheet. Bake squash for 30-35 min until fork tender.
Meanwhile, in a large soup pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Add onions, garlic, ginger, and jalapeno and sauté until soft. Add curry paste, stir and continue to sauté. Add vegetable stock. Scrape squash flesh from the skin and mash into the soup. Add can of coconut milk. Adjust thickness of soup with additional vegetable stock or water. Simmer for 15 minutes. Use an immersion blender or pour into blender to puree into a smooth textured soup. Adjust seasoning as desired. Garnish with chopped cilantro or basil and serve.
Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup
Submitted by Getty Stewart, PHEc. Recipe created by the Home Economists of Winnipeg Hydro.
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Onion, chopped
1 Butternut Squash, peeled, halved, seeded and coarsely chopped
3 Carrots, coarsely chopped
1/2 tsp Sugar
1 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Cumin
3/4 tsp Turmeric
3/4 tsp Coriander
6 cups Vegetable or Chicken Broth
1 Tbsp Lime Juice
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 cup Cream
2 tbsp Cilantro or Parsley, chopped
In a large saucepan, heat oil and sauté onion until soft. Add squash, carrots and sugar and sauté for 10 minutes. Add paprika, cumin, turmeric and coriander and sauté for 5 minutes. Add broth and bring to boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes until veggies are soft. Puree soup using an immersion blender or food processor. Add salt and pepper, lime juice to taste. Slowly add cream to soup.
Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley.
Grilled Acorn Squash with Balsamic Drizzle
Submitted by Jennifer Dyck, PHEc. Recipe courtesy of the Manitoba Canola Growers.
2 acorn squash (about 3 lb / 1.5 kg) 2
1/4 cup canola oil, divided 60 mL
1/2 tsp salt, divided 2 mL
1/2 tsp pepper, divided 2 mL
1 Tbsp chopped fresh sage 15 mL
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 15 mL
1 tsp Dijon mustard 5 mL
1 clove garlic, minced 1 mL
Cut both squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Cut halves crosswise into 1/4 inch thick slices; place in a large bowl. Add half of each the oil, salt and pepper and toss to coat.
Place squash on lightly oiled grill over medium heat. Close lid and grill, turning once, until tender and browned, about 10 minutes. Whisk together sage, vinegar, mustard garlic, and remaining oil, salt and pepper. Drizzle this mixture over grilled squash.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes in Acorn Squash Rings
Courtesy of previous article by Dorothy Lang from the Association of Saskatchewan Home Economists.
Here’s an interesting and decorative way to present mashed potatoes.
1 acorn squash 16 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered 2 tbsps butter or margarine
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 1/2 cup 1% milk
salt and pepper to taste
2 tsps finely chopped fresh dill or 1/2 tsp dried (optional)
Slice squash into 1/2 inch (1 cm) crosswise rings, clean out centre, lay flat in a large skillet, add water to cover bottom of pan, cover and cook over medium heat until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Drain; keep warm.
Boil potatoes in salted water until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain potatoes, return to pot, and mash with potato masher until all large pieces are broken up. In a small saucepan, over medium-low heat melt butter, add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add milk, increase heat to medium, and heat until hot but not boiling. Add milk mixture gradually to potatoes, while mashing, until all milk is used and potatoes are creamy. Stir in dill if desired.
Serve in the middle of acorn rings.
Makes 6 servings.
Rockin’ Ravioli with Butternut Squash Filling
Submitted by Jennifer Dyck, PHEc. Recipe courtesy of the Manitoba Canola Growers.
Pasta Dough
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 300 mL
1/2 cup cake flour 125 mL
1/2 tsp salt 2 mL
2 eggs, beaten slightly 2
2 Tbsp canola oil 30 mL
1 Tbsp water 15 mL
3 Tbsp chives, chopped 45 mL
Measure all ingredients, except chives, into a food processor and process for about 1 minute, until mixture begins to form a ball. Scoop out dough onto a floured board and knead dough, while incorporating chopped chives and extra flour as needed, for about 5 minutes. Form dough into a ball, wrap with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Set up pasta machine.
Cut dough into four pieces, keeping dough covered as you work. Roll each piece through machine settings: One, Four and Seven. Cut each strip into 6 or 7 pieces which will measure approximately 3 x 6 inches (7.5 x 15 cm).
Place 1 tsp of butternut filling on each 3 inch end. Moisten all around with water. Fold one end over the other to end up with 3 x 3 inch (7.5 x 7.5 cm) ravioli. Cook in boiling salted water for 2 minutes.
Butternut Squash and Pecan Filling
1 large butternut squash, seeds removed and cut into large chunks 1
1 large onion, peeled and cut in half 1
1 head garlic, top cut off to expose tips of garlic within head 1 head
2-4 Tbsp canola oil 30-60 mL
1/4 cup yogurt 60 mL
2 tsp lemon juice 10 mL
1 tsp lemon zest 5 mL
2 Tbsp chopped chives 30 mL
1/4 cup pecans, finely chopped 60 mL
salt and pepper, to taste
Brush all sides of squash chunks, onion halves and garlic head liberally with canola oil. Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake at 350 F (180 C) for 45- 60 minutes, until vegetables are soft and nicely browned. Remove skins from squash and garlic. Process all vegetable pieces in food processor. Add yogurt, lemon juice and lemon zest. Process mixture again until smooth. Scrape down sides of processor bowl. Scoop mixture into a bowl and stir in chives and finely chopped pecans. Add salt and pepper to taste. The filling is ready at this point to prepare the ravioli.
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