Discover Winter Squash

Winter squash has a wonderful balance of sweet and vegetal flavours. They store well throughout winter and are rich in vitamin A and C. Steamed and cubed squash make a simple side dish tossed with olive oil, tamari, and ginger. Try a puree of cooked squash with cinnamon and maple syrup. Or stuff a roasted squash by filling it with quinoa, sweetened with raisins. Finally, try  roasted squash, pear, and ginger soup.

Choosing a Winter Squash

Acorn – A vague squash flavored variety with little sweetness. Best combined with other squash.

Butternut – With a cream-colored skin and orange, sweet flesh, it is versatile and easy to find.

Delicata – A yellow speckled oblong variety with edible skins. Similar to butternut in flavor, but with a lighter color.
Kabocha – A green or orange round squash with a delicious, sweet flavour.

Spaghetti – A yellow, oblong variety that is used like pasta.

How To Prepare Squash

1. Create a flat surface. Slice off a thin layer of the bottom and top in order to create flat surfaces.

2. Peel. Use a very sharp vegetable peeler or a chef’s knife to thinly peel the skin while you stand it up on its flat bottom.

3. Cut it in half. This will seem difficult the first time. It is best to keep your hands out of the way of the knife and put some weight on the top of the knife as you cut through.

4. De-seed. Use a spoon to remove the seeds and stringy innards of the squash.

5. Chop. Dice into 1” cubes in order to steam or roast them.

Roasting Squash

Squash is a sweet vegetable similar to carrots and beets. A great way to accentuate its flavour is to cook it at a high heat and allow it to caramelize. 

1.    Preheat oven to 400°F degrees.

2.    After preparing your squash without peeling or chopping it, lay it skin side down on a baking sheet. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until a knife easily pierces through the largest part.

3.    Remove pan from oven and allow squash to cool enough to handle. Scoop out flesh and proceed with another recipe or simply mash with butter or olive oil and sea salt. Enjoy.