The Squash That You Need To Try
26 
October 25, 2011
Snack Girl must confess to a certain dislike of squash. The season is NOW and the fresh squash is rolling in around here so I am trying to change my 'tude.
Acorn, butternut, delicata, spaghetti, calabaza, and kabocha, are names of squash varieties that I can pick up for ONE dollar per pound or LESS from my local farmers.
What to do? Well, when I have a food conundrum, I don't know about you, but I consult the internet. I decided to take on acorn squash because it is so freakin' cute! Check these babies out:
And who do we find at the top of search results? Paula Deen! She actually has an entire video devoted to roasting acorn squash here: Paula Deen Roasts Acorn Squash.
My favorite line is when she says, "That looks like two tablespoons of butter right there, dudn't it?" Ahem. Paula, that looks like about 4 tablespoons but who's counting?
Actually, I am counting and that is why I think I am the polar opposite of Paula Deen who is famous for things like deep frying bacon-wrapped macaroni and cheese squares!
She takes comfort food to a whole new level and my butt wouldn't comfortably fit in a chair if I followed her recipes. Okay, enough Paula bashing - I found one similarity - we both like the University of Georgia Bulldogs for our college football pick.
I decided to take her idea - butter and sugar - and use it for roasting some acorn squash.
An ENTIRE acorn squash (without butter) will only set you back 172 calories and you get 32% of your daily value of Vitamin A, 17% of your daily value of Iron, and 79% of you daily value of Vitamin C.
These squash are nutritional powerhouses and if you can start to love them - they are SO easy to cook and cheap.
My kids hated my roasted acorn squash. I thought the butter and sugar would do the trick. oh well.
But my husband and I loved it! Yes, this tasted like pie to me and I couldn't get enough.
Have you tried acorn squash?
printRoasted Acorn Squash Recipe
(makes 4 servings)
2 medium sized acorn squash
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons light or brown sugar (or maple syrup)
salt and pepper to taste
Heat oven to 400F. Cut squash in half and scoop out seeds. Mix butter and sugar and brush the inside of the squash with the mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Place on a baking sheet and roast for one hour until tender. Serve hot or room temperature. Enjoy!
For one half acorn squash = 154 calories, 6.0 g fat, 26.9 g carbohydrates, 1.8 g protein, 3.2 g fiber, 49 mg sodium, 4 PointsPlus
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26 Comments:
Acorn Squash is good, but have you tried Spaghetti Squash? It's just as yummy and fun too!
On the weekend I made a butternut squash but mistimed it so it wasn't ready until long after dinner. I turned it into a butternut squash soup the next day and it was REALLY yummy!
Patricia on November 1, 2011
I tried acorn squash for the first time this weekend. It was great without butter and sugar.
Eunice M. on November 1, 2011
A hint to cut the squash. Score it with a knife (to prevent an explosion),then place in microwave for 3 minutes prior to cutting the squash.
Eunice M. on November 1, 2011
I love roasted squash, especially acorn and butternut. I think I'll pick some up this weekend!
KLA on November 1, 2011
I do this all the time! It's fantastic. We grew squash in our garden this year, so I'm super excited for many yummy winter meals. You can also do this in the microwave (if you're short on time) - after 10 mins take it out and scrape the sides down, and then it takes usually only 5-10 mins more! Also peeling and cubing the squash and mixing it with butter and maple syrup to roast on pans works great too! Bite size heaven!
Heidi on November 1, 2011
Try "carnival" squash -- it's quite sweet! My kiddos love it.
Jill on November 1, 2011
Squash can simply be baked in the oven for about an hour at 400 degrees. Cut in half, remove seeds and strings and eat! It is much easier to to scoop out the inedible parts *after* baking. I love spaghetti squash with tomato sauce and a sprinkling of parmesan. Most other varieties are eaten plain around here. No need to mask rich natural flavors with sugar or syrup!
Lori on November 1, 2011
I just had one of these last week! Yum!
shanna on November 1, 2011
I love, love, love winter squash! I bake, puree, and then freeze it in two cup portions and whenever I make any type of vegy soup I add the thawed squash. It gives a nice thickness to my soups, a yummy flavor and lots of goodness. I use it in place of oil in muffins, brownies or whatever else I can think of.
Carol on November 1, 2011
Try the delicata squash, it is naturally much sweeter than the acorn squash. I find I don't need ANY butter or sugar when it is roasted :)
Michele on November 1, 2011
Squash is good! I love it roasted, baked, pureed....any way I can get it!
My favorite way is to make a stuffing with cooked brown rice, browned lean ground turkey, celery, tomatoes and tons of spices, then cut and seed an Acorn squash, pile the rice/turkey stuffing and pop it in the oven. When the squash is tender, it's done!
A complete meal and very tasty!
Karen on November 1, 2011
I make a stuffed acorn squash -- stuffed with wild rice and veggies. I can add sausage if I want a meat with it. It's good, it's filling and it comes in it's own bowl!! :)
Linda on November 1, 2011
I love love spaghetti squash! I half it, seed it (the seeds work as well as pumpkin seeds!) and place it face down in the oven at 425 for 30-40 mins until a fork goes through it rather easily. Scoop out the "spaghetti" strands inside and use it as a side/main for a few meals (I cook just for myself). I just had it today with steamed broccoli and cabbage with a bit of marinara sauce on top and it totally killed my craving for Italian- minus all of those carbs. Delish!
Sarah on November 1, 2011
Delicata squash rocks because you can cut it up and eat the skin - delicious in curries, just roasted or in a pasta dish!
ellen on November 1, 2011
Kabocha squash also has edible skin... and it's pumpkin-y. Cut up really thin in wedges with skin on and boil some Japanese style "dashi" (kombu, water, soy sauce, bonito flakes if making from scratch) and cook in that--it's sweet and salty. Or you can do more western things with them.
Sue on November 1, 2011
One of my favorite squash recipes is to take butternut squash, peel and cut into 1 in cubes, peel, core and slice 2-3 apples (depends on size),fresh cranberries and raisins. Put into a baking dish and with either maple syrup or butter and brown sugar put into a 350 degree oven for about 30-35 minutes and you have the best side dish ever. I made this and brought it into work, it was gone before I could think about saving some for me.
Bea Brennan on November 1, 2011
Easy to do in the microwave; cut acorn squash in half and take out seeds. Put in a glass dish with a cover and about 1/4 inch of water in bottom. Put some Light butter in bottom and spinkle in lots of cinnamon. Really good and very low-fat; you just need a dab of butter. Cook til it feels soft enough to scoop out. This and pumpkin low-fat pudding got me through the holidays when I did Weight Watchers!
Linda on November 1, 2011
I don't like squash recipes. But this one seems different. I would love to try it.
whey protein isolate on November 2, 2011
Guess what I just got from the grocery store!?!? Can't wait to get these babies in the oven!
Tywana on November 10, 2011
is acorn squash any easier to cut? I tried butternut squash once and it was impossible to cut! Wasn't sure if they were all like that or just that one?
lauren on November 16, 2011
@lauren - I learned a great tip a few years ago. Cut off the top (where the stem is) and the bottom first. This makes it MUCH easier to cut through.
Patricia on November 17, 2011
@lauren - With a chef's knife you can cut acorn squash FAST. Just choose a small one - I think it is easier than butternut. I have used Patricia's tip as well - and it works.
Thanks for your question!
Snack Girl on November 17, 2011
I make the acorn squash the same way, but just use a little Smart Balance light in place of the butter. Still yummy! You don't need a lot of brown sugar- just a sprinkle as the squash is already sweet. This is a great low sodium recipe if you leave off the salt- one of the few foods I don't gag on when no salt is added.
cathy on November 18, 2011
I like to use a grapefruit spoon to scoop out the seeds/innards easily and thoroughly. I put butter, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice in/on my acorn squash and bake them. I have also added apple slices or apple sauce! Mmmmmm
Emily on November 18, 2011
Had to come back and THANK YOU for this recipe - it has become MY FAVORITE THING TO MAKE as long as acorn squash can be found. I made with OUT the maple syrup - and only use half the brn sugar and butter (Brummel and Brown is great)... it is SO WONDERFUL!!! Also tried with butternut squash the other night and hubby wants that again too! THANK YOU...ps-have joined a 'fitness support group' and passing out your website info - hope you'll get a lot of new followers! Happy New Year!
lynn on December 30, 2011
courtney on November 1, 2011