Winter Squashes

Winter squashes adorn my kitchen from October through March. I’ll admit that a big old winter squash may not be a practical choice when you come home starving at 6:30; and they can be cumbersome to work with unless you have good, sharp knives (or a handy workaround for lack thereof).

I’ve noticed a proliferation of squash varieties over the last few years. Before that, butternut, acorn, and the occasional sugar pumpkin were the extent of the choices, but now, you are likely to encounter golden acorn (a sweeter, smoother cousin of the green variety), banana squash, delicata, turban, hubbard, and delicious.

While all these winter squashes have some variation in flavor, all have deep yellow to orange flesh that can be characterized as mild, smooth, and slightly sweet. The exception is spaghetti squash, whose flesh comes out in spaghetti-like strands when done. Some varieties (like delicata and golden acorn) are small, making them easier to cut and quicker to bake than larger squashes. Here are some recipes you’ll find on VegKitchen:

• Soy and Agave-Glazed Winter Squash
• Butternut Squash Puree
• Easy Vegan Squash or Pumpkin Pie
• Butternut Squash with Whole Wheat, Wild Rice, and Onion Stuffing
• Apple and Butternut Squash Soup
• Moroccan-Style Vegetable Stew
• Millet-Stuffed Golden Squashes
• Baked Delicate Delicata
• Butternut Squash and Mixed Mushroom Lasagna 
• Winter Squash Stuffed with Mashed Potatoes and Peas
• Squash, Sweet Pea and Corn Chowder
• Asian-Spiced Kabocha Squash

Here are a few tips for making good use of winter squash:

• A good way to bake large squashes like butternut or spaghetti squash is to cut them in half lengthwise, place the cut side up in a baking dish with about 1/2 inch of water at the bottom, and cover each half tightly with foil. Bake for an additional 30 to 50 minutes, depending on size, until the flesh is easily pierced with a knife.
• If you don’t want to struggle with cutting a large, thick-skinned squash, bake the whole squash ahead of time at 375 degrees for a half hour to 45 minutes. When cool enough to handle, it will cut more easily. Also, it’s easier to scoop out the seeds from a squash that’s partially done than an unbaked one. Scoop out the seeds and fibers, cut in half, and proceed as directed above until the squash is completely done; or, peel and cut into large dice or chunks to cook in soups or roast in the oven until nicely done.
• Smaller squashes like delicata and golden acorn can be microwaved successfully (see the specifics in some of the recipes that follow). For larger squashes, I like to stick with oven baking. The flavor develops better, and they cook more evenly. Don’t even think about microwaving spaghetti squash. Twice they have exploded in my microwave, leaving me with an incredible mess to clean!

• Get more produce tips by visiting VegKitchen’s Seasonal Produce Guides.
• For lots more features on healthy lifestyle, please explore VegKitchen’s Healthy Vegan Kitchen page.