What to Eat Now: Winter Squash ~ there’s a wonderland of winter squash out there, and it turns out the good eating goes way beyond pumpkin pie. So let’s get all those gorgeous gourds out of the tacky fall displays and into our kitchens, where they belong ~ here are the 30 best winter squash recipes for butternut, acorn, kabocha, hubbard, pumpkin and more!
All those pretty squash you always thought were strictly decorative are totally edible, in fact they can be spectacularly delicious. And no worries if you aren’t lucky enough to live near a farmers market that goes through fall, your local pumpkin patch or supermarket will offer lots of choice. The next time you reach for a butternut squash, grab one of the unfamiliar varieties right next to it, I’ve got your back with lots of yummy ways to use it, right here…
Β All Winter Squash is edible
- All varieties of winter squash are edible, the only exceptions are shellacked ornamental gourds. And even they are edible (before they’re lacquered!) but they don’t taste as good as other varieties and so they’re used decoratively.
Rule of thumb: winter squash is pretty much interchangeable ~
- you can substitute one for another in any classic butternut or pumpkin recipe…think turban squash pie, or blue hubbard bisque and get creative!
All winter squash seeds are healthy and delicious, so don’t toss them!
- Rinse and remove any stringy stuff and let them dry. Toss with a little olive or coconut oil and season with your favorite spices (they can be sweet or savory.)Β Spread out in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast in a 325F oven for about 15-20 minutes, giving them a stir once or twice during the cooking. When you hear them start to pop, they’re done.
Winter squash will last for months in a cool dark place
- Start with firm, unblemished produce. Large, thick skinned squash will last many months at 50F so buy them now when you see them, and enjoy them all winter long.
Here are some of my favorite winter squash recipes ~
BUTTERNUT SQUASH SKILLET PASTAΒ ~ Life is But a Dish
DELICATA SQUASH RINGSΒ ~ Honestly Yum
ROASTED HOKKAIDO PUMPKINΒ ~ The Girl Loves to Eat
BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC AND CHEESEΒ ~ Broma Bakery
PUMPKIN CRUMB CAKE ~ The View from Great Island
PUMPKIN SALAD ~ Occasionally Eggs
POTATO AND ACORN SQUASH SOUPΒ ~ Hungry Couple
STUFFED SQUASH WITH LENTILS AND KALE ~ Heavenlynn Healthy
HOMEMADE PAPPARDELLE WITH KABOCHA SQUASH SAUCE, ‘NDUJA, AND SAGEΒ ~ Wild Greens & Sardines
STUFFED ACORN SQUASH WITH APPLE, PARSNIP AND SAGEΒ ~ Feasting at Home
EASY PUMPKIN BREAD ROLLS ~ Inside the Rustic Kitchen
KALE AND ROASTED RED KURI SQUASH SALADΒ ~ A House in the Hills
CREAMY FOUR CHEESE SPINACH BUTTERNUT SQUASHΒ ~ eatwell101
WINTER SQUASH PIE WITH CANDIED PECANS (gluten free, dairy free) ~ Heartbeet Kitchen
PUMPKIN SEED PESTO PASTA WITH CARAMELIZED DELICATA SQUASH ~ How Sweet Eats
ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP ~ A Sweet Pea Chef
WHOLE ROASTED KABOCHA SQUASH WITH CHIPOTLE BUTTER ~ The View from Great Island
HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN PUREE (OR ANY SQUASH) ~ The Kitchen McCabe
ROASTED MEXICAN SPAGHETTI SQUASH ~ Cooking for Keeps
PUMPKIN LEATHER ~ Chatelaine
BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND GOAT CHEESE RAVIOLI WITH BROWNED BUTTER + OREGANO BREAD CRUMBSΒ ~ Half Baked Harvest
PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE ~ Baking a Moment
SAUSAGE AND PARMESAN STUFFED ACORN SQUASH ~ Salt & Lavender
SPIRALIZED BUTTERNUT SQUASH BOWLS ~ Simply Quinoa
LEBANESE PUMPKIN HUMMUS ~ Lazy Cat Kitchen
ACORN SQUASH BREAD ~ The Vintage Mixer
CHEESY STUFFED MUNCHKIN PUMPKINS ~ Gin & Crumpets
BUTTERNUT SQUASH PIZZA ~ Kitchen Konfidence
SPICED HONEY ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS ~ The Chunky Chef
RED CURRY KURI SQUASH SOUP~ Love & Lemons
MAPLE SAGE ROASTED DELICATA SQUASH ~ A Family Feast
MAPLE PECAN HASSELBACK BUTTERNUT SQUASH ~ Seasons & Suppers
Don’t forget to pin these 30 Best Winter Squash Recipes!
13 Comments
2sistersrecipes
November 4, 2019 at 2:46 pmThese all look amazing! But our favorite one is your Pumpkin Crumb Cake!!
Emily
October 9, 2017 at 5:59 amThanks so much for including my pumpkin rolls Sue! I absolutely love this collection of recipes, I’ve never seen so many beautiful photos in one place!
Sue
October 16, 2017 at 8:02 pmThose pumpkin rolls are incredible, Emily π
Lillian
October 9, 2017 at 5:05 amI love squash and live next to The Common Market in Frederick, MD. I’m positive they have all of the various squash in their store. And I intend to try every one of your recipes. Can’t wait. Thank you
Gerlinde
October 9, 2017 at 3:20 amWhat a great collection of recipes. I canβt wait to try some of them. Pinned!
Chris Scheuer
October 8, 2017 at 12:45 pmThese are all just gorgeous and I can’t help staring at all the fall deliciousness!
Sue
October 8, 2017 at 7:29 pmThanks Chris!
kathi @ LaughingSpatula
October 8, 2017 at 9:23 amWhat a wonderful round up! I’m not sure what to make first! I never know what to do with winter squash…thanks for the post!
Sue
October 8, 2017 at 10:00 amI got so ‘into’ winter squash while I was curating this round up that I just warned my husband to expect LOTS of it on the dinner table this week!
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert
October 8, 2017 at 6:35 amThis is one gorgeous roundup! I want to try them all π
Sue
October 8, 2017 at 10:00 amThanks for visiting Tricia ~ have a fabulous Sunday π
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
October 8, 2017 at 6:18 amGreat round-up Sue and thanks so much for including my butternut squash π I could eat my weight in squash, so loving all this inspiration!
Sue
October 8, 2017 at 10:03 amYour hasselbacks are awesome Jennifer <3