Squash is one of those words you only ever hear from the months September-November. Can you imagine any scenario when you would bring up the vivacious veggie in conversation in, say, June?
Nonetheless, squash becomes a bit of an obsession this time of year.
From butternut to pumpkin, acorn to spaghetti and everything in between, it’s like there’s this tiny window of opportunity to cook such a unique species of vegetable that it makes foodies everywhere dash to their ovens and hike it up to 425 yelling “Let the roasting commence!”
Yesterday I shared with you that I recently cooked a delicata squash. I realized when I woke up this morning how unfair it was to just share that photo with you and not really get into some more detail about the wonderful world of unexplored squash (doesn’t part of you just wish that the plural of squash was “squashes”?)
I stumbled upon this darling delicata last week at Trader Joe’s. I was swapping stories with one of the employees while sampling their pumpkin spice coffee and delicious spiced apple cider when I asked what her favorite pumpkin products were this year. If anyone else took a glance at the latest Fearless Flyer you know that there are probably a dozen pumpkin-themed products lining the shelves of TJ’s and I really needed an insider’s take on just which ones were worth it. Instead of leading me to the pumpkin pancakes or butternut squash soup she pointed directly at the delicata squash. “You have to try that.” So into my cart it went, what looked like the cross between an over-sized cucumber and a giant peanut. All I was armed with were the instructions to “cut, drizzle with olive oil, season, and roast.”
Ah the risky life of the ever-curious foodie.
Long story short I did exactly what she told me and was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved it! I sliced off the ends of the squash, cut it lengthwise, cleaned out the insides (post-picture), drizzled it with EVOO and salt+pepper, and stuck it in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes, or until the insides were soft when I stabbed it with a fork.
So what does delicata squash taste like? It tasted slightly sweet, like a sweet potato, but the texture was just a bit more firm, kind of like a spaghetti squash. It was smooth but not as creamy as sweet potatoes are. Like most squash, it really took on the flavor of the olive oil, salt and pepper but still tasted fresh and earthy, making it the perfect side to any lean protein. I ate half the squash while waiting for my fish to cook because I just couldn’t stave off my curiosity any longer.
Some quick facts about delicata squash:
- It goes by many nicknames: the sweet potato squash, the peanut squash, the Bohemian squash
- A 3/4-cup contains 30 just calories
- It is fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, and a great source of Vitamins C and A
- Throw the peeler aside – you can eat the skin!
Here are a few amazing recipes I came across will be using for inspiration over the next few weeks:
Roasted Cinnamon-Ginger Delicata Squash 
Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta
So join me in pumpkin rehab and pick up a delicata squash after work today. Because honestly, why the heck not? It’s like $2 and it keeps you from having to turn to those frozen mixed vegetables (again) that I know we’re all guilty of hoarding.
Questions:
- What’s your favorite fall recipe/food that doesn’t include pumpkin or apple?
- Do foreign veggies like this one intimidate you, or do you pick one up and experiment just for the heck of it?
i had a big lunch 
Um… Can you imagine any scenario when you would bring up the vivacious veggie in conversation in, say, June?
I’d say, Welcome. Eat all the squash all the time (because it’s available ALL THE TIME here).
I actually love experimenting with random veggies, and often use roasting it as the first test subject method!
Roasting is completely no-fail (as long as you pay attention and dont forget about it haha). Youre so lucky you have squash all year!! I dont think we do, but even if we do it’s not always in season, which is so important with American produce otherwise it tastes like nothing lol
Oh my goodness I can’t believe you were able to buy that for $2! the reason I don’t eat more of these squashes is because they are so expensive – honestly one that size would cost me about £5 so $8! They just aren’t grown in abundance here, odd because we have the perfect climate for it!
Buy and enjoy as many as you can! 🙂 and eat a few for me!
Ugh Scotland fails you again! Come over for Thanksgiving 🙂
It does have its merits sometimes 🙂 I do live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world!
Thanksgiving in the USA… I dream about it!!!
You’ve fully convinced me that I need to pick one of these up next time I’m at TJ’s. Just another thing to add to my never-ending list…. i’m kidding, I’m excited 😀
The trader joes list is a joke…walking up and down the aisles is the adult equivalent to a kid in a candy store haha
Oh my gosh, that pasta + squash recipe looks so freakin’ delicious!! LOVE! Thanks for sharing these recipes!! I definitely get intimidated by veggies I haven’t dealt with before, but I grew up eating lots of squash and it’s so good for you, so I should start eating it, right? Plus, your recipes look too good not to try!! You’re amazing!! Have a fabulous day!! xoxo
Right?! Who wouldve though to put that pasta dish together? Im so intruiged! Thanks again for posting your strength workout again dearie i really loved reading all about your bad-asserry 🙂 making up words left and right
Haha!!! Ohhh I love making up words, too!! It’s more fun like that, right? Hehe!! You’re the best and of course, anything for you!! You’re a doll!! Just so sweet!! xoxo
Love delicata. So much.
PS that blossom is ridiculous. Who has time for that?
I could totally chop that all up but im so not artsy in assembling things like that haha
Squash soup! That is all I want to eat this time of year. Thanks, Panera bread.
Do they have squash soup?! I didnt know that!! I’m on my way! Haha
Oooh squash soup sounds yummy! I actually just bought a spaghetti squash yesterday and plan to make something fun this week with it 🙂
Squash soup sounds perfect to me right now too 🙂 i think ill make it tomorrow night!
I just ordered a big box of squash and I can’t wait until it arrives. I have so many delicious things planned to do with it.
Where did you order it from?? How cool!
I love squishy squash! My favorite is butterCUP (not to be confused with butternut). I have heard good things about delicata!
Buttercup?! Huh! Why is it your favorite?
It’s delicious! I’m not sure how else to respond to this question. LOL
I’m ashamed to admit, but I’m the WORST when it comes to experimenting with new foods in the kitchen. When I’m out to eat, I’m all about trying the new things, but when left to my own devices in the kitchen, I have a hard time branching out. That cinnamon-ginger squash looks amazing!
The cool thing about squash is that all you have to do is roast it and add either olive oil, salt/ pepper to it or something sweet like coconut oil and cinnamon/sugar. It really takes on the flavor of what you add to it 🙂
Sunday the husband made an amazing butternut squash lasagna….it was SO good! I’m like to try new foods and veggies, but I find squash a hard one to figure out what to do with if I’ve never tried it before.
That sounds so good! You should post that recipe 😉 im curious what the sauce is that he used with it