Winter Squash Recipes ♥ Alphabet of Vegetables
That's "Pumpkin" for the Brit, Aussie & Kiwi Visitors

Tired of the same-old roasted squash? Find new inspiration in this collection of seasonal Winter Squash Recipes ♥ AVeggieVenture.com, savory to sweet, salads to sides, soups to supper, simple to special. Many Weight Watchers, vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, paleo, whole30 recipes.
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Skip Straight to the Recipes or Switch to the A-Z of Vegetables.

WINTER SQUASH: THE BASICS
Pronounced [skwawsh]. In Britain, Australia and New Zealand, winter squash are called "pumpkin". (Some sources say that "pumpkin" is also used in Britain but a British reader corrected that notion, says that "pumpkin" applies only to the round jack'o'lantern-style pumpkins.) Common varieties include acorn squash, butternut squash, delicata squash and spaghetti squash. At a good farmers market, you might find colorful hubbard squash, buttercup squash and red kuri squash. Look especially for kabocha squash, it's great for making Homemade "Pumpkin" Purée; commercial pumpkin purée is made with calabaza squash.

The Season. Winter Squash are harvested in late summer and early fall. There are many varieties but the most common winter squash are acorn squash, butternut squash, delicata squash and spaghetti squash. In the fall, supermarkets display mounds of the colorful, shapely squashes, so pretty!

Winter Squash vs Summer Squash. Mostly, winter squash have tough, inedible skins; this means that when stored properly in a cool, dark place, they will keep through the winter. Winter squash are nearly always cooked before eating, the flesh is quite sweet, starchy and dense. In contrast, "summer squash" like zucchini and yellow squash are not sweet and have tender, edible skins; they spoil quickly and thus must be eaten during the summer growing season. Summer squash can be cooked but is often eaten raw.

The Skins Are All Inedible, Right? Wrong. The delicata squash, which is considered a winter squash, has skin which once roasted is tender enough to eat. But right, with that one exception, the skins of winter squash are inedible, at least for humans. Our resident wood chuck seems to love them in the compost pile!

How to Select Winter Squash. Look for firm squash with few skin blemishes and no signs of softness or deterioration around the stem and blossom ends. Be sure to wash winter squash before cutting into them. Even though you won't eat the skin, you don't want the knife to carry any nasty stuff on the skin into the edible interior.

Winter Squash in the Garden. In 2014, we grew butternut squash for the first time. The squash flowers were beautiful, the squashes were amazing to watch grow day-by-day. But once cooked, they were pale and pallid, without much flavor and you can imagine, we were much disappointed. I suspect we harvested them too early. Next year, we'll try again but if any experienced gardeners have tips to offer, we'd sure love to hear them, especially for Zone 6.

UPDATE In Fact, Ripening Time Does Matter! It depends on how much starch the squash contains. Those with low starch (think delicata squash and acorn squash) should be eaten quite soon after being harvested, they just don't keep well. In contrast, butternut squash actually improve (and further sweeten) after harvest.

Natural Pairings. Botanically, winter squash are "fruits"! And because they are quite sweet, winter squashes pair beautifully with fruit, both fresh and dried. Winter squash are often paired with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, curry and cloves and savory spices like cumin, rosemary, sage and thyme; creamy creamy substances like goat cheese, ricotta and coconut milk; fruits like apple and orange.

Special Diets. Winter squash are gluten-free, paleo approved, South Beach diet approved (Phase 2), Weight Watchers friendly and Whole30 approved. Naturally, specific preparations matter to each of these eating regimens.

Sources. Personal experience and accumulated learning, also several reference books (all affiliate links, please see My Disclosure Promise). The sources are the most-wonderful On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGee, Vegetable Love by the late Barbara Kafka, The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg and NPR: Don't Squander That Squash: Like Fine Wine, It Might Improve With Age.

OTHER FAVORITE FORMS of WINTER SQUASH
Pumpkins are not winter squash, the two are kind of like, well, let's call them "cousins". But winter squash and pumpkin can easily be substitutes for one another so you might want to check out either my Favorite Pumpkin Recipes or all the sweet-to-savory Pumpkin Recipes!

WINTER SQUASH NUTRITION INFORMATION

What's your favorite winter squash and how do you like to cook it? or what winter squash recipe did you hope to find here? I'm always looking for new ones, especially healthy winter squash recipes. Leave me a quick note in the comments or via recipes@kitchen-parade.com! ~Alanna




HEY, WINTER SQUASH LOVERS! WHAT SOUNDS GOOD?
~ A Few Highlights ~


WATCH FOR THE "LITTLE POT" Recipes followed by a "little pot" icon like this call for cooked squash, good reason to roast extra. Here's my favorite way to roast a butternut squash. Once the squash is roasted, it often only takes a few minutes to throw together a delicious dish.

Winter Squash: BASIC HOW-TO TIPS & TECHNIQUES
How to Cut, Peel & Cube a Butternut Squash and Keep All Ten Fingers (with step-by-step photos)

How to roast a whole butternut squash (my personal favorite)
How to roast butternut squash halves
How to make "pumpkin" purée with kabocha squash
How to roast a whole spaghetti squash
How to steam butternut squash in a collapsible basket
How to cook acorn squash in the microwave
How to roast acorn squash in the oven

RULES of THUMB
For every pound of butternut squash, the yield is about 1.5 cups of roasted squash, about 300g.
Roast squash "face down" (cut-side down) when you want little caramelization, just pure roasted squash and "face up" (cut-side up) when you want crispy roasted edges or to contain, say, a buttery-syrup mixture.

RECIPE COLLECTIONS
A Veggie Venture & Kitchen Parade recipes
My Favorite Winter Squash Recipes (with photos & links to recipes)
Winter Squash Recipes for Thanksgiving

NEW to Winter Squash? TRY THESE FIRST
Kitchen Parade recipes
Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple

A Veggie Venture recipes
Acorn Squash with Mustard & Honey
Butternut Squash with Maple Glaze

READER FAVORITES!
Kitchen Parade recipes
Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato (or Pumpkin or Butternut Squash) Grits
Squash Puff

A Veggie Venture recipes
Buffalo Chicken Dip with Spaghetti Squash
Butternut Mac 'n' Cheese
Butternut Squash Soup with Mango & Toasted Coconut
Savory Bread Pudding with Butternut Squash, Chard & Cheddar
Sweet Potato & Butternut Squash Tagine

FALL'S FAVORITE Golden-Hued Butternut Squash Soup
A Veggie Venture recipes
Butternut Squash Soup that Actually Tastes Like Butternut Squash
Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Pear & Coconut
Butternut Squash Soup with Mango & Toasted Coconut

Winter Squash Recipes for THANKGIVING
Kitchen Parade recipes
Squash Puff

A Veggie Venture recipes
Butternut Mac 'n' Cheese
Mashed Butternut Squash & Sweet Potatoes
Savory Bread Pudding with Butternut Squash, Chard & Cheddar

FAVORITE SIMPLE SEASONAL SUPPERS
Winter Winter Stew
Spring Squash & Carrot Stew
Summer Simple Lentil Salad with Seasonal Vegetables
Fall Chicken or Turkey & Wild Rice Soup

BEST Winter Squash Recipes for MEATLESS MONDAY
Kitchen Parade recipes
Acorn Squash with Quinoa & Cherries
Slow Cooker Curried Vegetable Stew
Squash & Carrot Stew

A Veggie Venture recipes

BEST Winter Squash Recipes for WEIGHT WATCHERS
Kitchen Parade recipes
Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple
Squash & Carrot Stew

A Veggie Venture recipes
Buffalo Chicken Dip with Spaghetti Squash
Raw Butternut Squash Salad
Roasted Butternut Squash
Spaghetti Squash Cooked Whole

Winter Squash ERRATA
The Miracle of Squash Blossoms




WINTER SQUASH SPECIALTIES


FRIED Winter Squash Recipes
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

MASHED Winter Squash Recipes
Kitchen Parade recipes
Squash Puff

A Veggie Venture recipes
Curried Squash 15min/20min–ww2–pp2–sp3–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb15
Mashed Butternut Squash & Sweet Potatoes 30min/90min–ww4–pp6–sp8–fs4–green4–blue4–purple2–carb34
Rutabaga & Butternut Squash Purée 10min/50min – WW1 – PP2 – NetCarb10

PICKLED Winter Squash Recipes
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

RAW Winter Squash Recipes
A Veggie Venture recipes
Raw Butternut Squash Salad 20min/20min–ww1–pp2–sp3–fs2–green2–blue2–purple2–carb12

ROASTED Winter Squash Recipes
Kitchen Parade recipes
Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple

A Veggie Venture recipes
Acorn Squash Roasted Face Down 5min/55min – WW2 – PP2 – NetCarb8
Acorn Squash Roasted Face Up 5min/65min – WW1 – PP2 – NetCarb 19
Acorn Squash with Mustard & Honey 5min/100min – WW3 – PP3 – NetCarb25
Butternut Squash with Maple Glaze 10min/90min–ww2–pp3–sp4–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb21
Delicata Squash with Hot Pepper Glaze 10min/55min – WW2 – PP3 – NetCarb18
Roasted Butternut Squash 10min/75min – WW1 – PP1 – NetCarb11
Roasted Delicata Squash 5min/40min–ww2–pp3–sp3–fs2–green2–blue2–purple2–carb9

RECIPES ESPECIALLY for ACORN SQUASH
Kitchen Parade recipes
Acorn Squash with Quinoa & Cherries

A Veggie Venture recipes
Acorn Squash Roasted Face Down 5min/55min – WW2 – PP2 – NetCarb8
Acorn Squash Roasted Face Up 5min/65min – WW1 – PP2 – NetCarb 19
Acorn Squash with Mustard & Honey 5min/100min – WW3 – PP3 – NetCarb25
Curried Squash 15min/20min–ww2–pp2–sp3–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb15
Microwave Acorn Squash 2min/10min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb13

RECIPES ESPECIALLY for DELICATA SQUASH
A Veggie Venture recipes
Delicata Squash with Hot Pepper Glaze 10min/55min – WW2 – PP3 – NetCarb18
Roasted Delicata Squash 5min/40min–ww2–pp3–sp3–fs2–green2–blue2–purple2–carb9

RECIPES ESPECIALLY for SPAGHETTI SQUASH
A Veggie Venture recipes
Buffalo Chicken Dip with Spaghetti Squash 10min/45min–ww2–pp2–sp3–fs2–green2–blue2–purple2–carb2
Spaghetti Squash Cooked Whole 1min/90min–ww0–pp0–sp0–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb3
Spaghetti Squash Salad with Tomato, Basil & Feta 20min/30min–ww1–pp2–sp4–fs2–green2–blue2–purple2–carb8
Spaghetti Squash with Moroccan Spices 15min/35min – WW2 – PP3 – NetCarb15

WHOLE Winter Squash Recipes
A Veggie Venture recipes
How to Roast a Whole Butternut Squash 5min/90min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb12
Spaghetti Squash Cooked Whole 1min/90min–ww0–pp0–sp0–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb3

~or~
How to Cut, Peel & Cube a Butternut Squash and Keep All Ten Fingers (with step-by-step photos)

MAGICAL MARRIAGES: Winter Squash +
honey maple syrup
apple apple cider currants dried apricot dried cherries mango pear
chard rutabaga sweet potato
farro grits lasagna mac 'n' cheese polenta quinoa




WINTER SQUASH in EVERY COURSE
~ Except Breakfast! Except Dessert! But It Could! ~

Winter Squash for BREAKFAST
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Winter Squash in APPETIZERS
A Veggie Venture recipes
Buffalo Chicken Dip with Spaghetti Squash 10min/45min–ww2–pp2–sp3–fs2–green2–blue2–purple2–carb2

Winter Squash in BREADS
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Winter Squash in SALADS
A Veggie Venture recipes
Raw Butternut Squash Salad 20min/20min–ww1–pp2–sp3–fs2–green2–blue2–purple2–carb12

Winter Squash in SIDE DISHES (HOT)
Kitchen Parade recipes
Acorn Squash with Quinoa & Cherries
Roasted Butternut Squash & Apple
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato (or Pumpkin or Butternut Squash) Grits
Squash Puff

A Veggie Venture recipes
Acorn Squash Roasted Face Down 5min/55min – WW2 – PP2 – NetCarb8
Acorn Squash Roasted Face Up 5min/65min – WW1 – PP2 – NetCarb 19
Acorn Squash with Mustard & Honey 5min/100min – WW3 – PP3 – NetCarb25
Butternut Squash Polenta 20min/30min–ww3–pp4–sp5–fs4–green4–blue4–purple4–carb18
Butternut Squash with Maple Glaze 10min/90min–ww2–pp3–sp4–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb21
Butternut Mac 'n' Cheese 30min/2.5hrs – WW3/WW7 – PP4/PP9 – NetCarb7/14
Curried Squash 15min/20min–ww2–pp2–sp3–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb15
Delicata Squash with Hot Pepper Glaze 10min/55min – WW2 – PP3 – NetCarb18
How to Roast a Whole Butternut Squash 5min/90min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb12
Mashed Butternut Squash & Sweet Potatoes 30min/90min–ww4–pp6–sp8–fs4–green4–blue4–purple2–carb34
Microwave Acorn Squash 2min/10min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb13
Roasted Butternut Squash 10min/75min – WW1 – PP1 – NetCarb11
Roasted Delicata Squash 5min/40min–ww2–pp3–sp3–fs2–green2–blue2–purple2–carb9
Rutabaga & Butternut Squash Purée 10min/50min – WW1 – PP2 – NetCarb10
Savory Bread Pudding with Butternut Squash, Chard & Cheddar 50min/2hrs–ww8–pp10–sp14–fs11–green11–blue11–purple11–carb28
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash with Ginger & Dried Fruit 25min/2hrs–ww2–pp3–sp6–fs4–green4–blue4–purple4–carb22
Spaghetti Squash Cooked Whole 1min/90min–ww0–pp0–sp0–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb3
Spaghetti Squash Salad with Tomato, Basil & Feta 20min/30min–ww1–pp2–sp4–fs2–green2–blue2–purple2–carb8
Spaghetti Squash with Moroccan Spices 15min/35min – WW2 – PP3 – NetCarb15
Steamed Butternut Squash in a Collapsible Steamer Basket 10min/40min–ww1–pp2–sp3–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb11

Winter Squash in SOUPS
Kitchen Parade recipes
Chicken or Turkey & Wild Rice Soup

A Veggie Venture recipes
Butternut Squash Soup that Actually Tastes Like Butternut Squash 30min/60min–ww2–pp3–sp4–fs3–green3–blue3–purple3–carb12
Butternut Squash Soup with Cider Cream 30min/60min – WW5 – PP6 – NetCarb23
Butternut Squash Soup with Mango & Toasted Coconut 30min/3hrs–ww2–pp3–sp5–fs3–green3–blue3–purple3–carb13
Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Pear & Coconut 35min/24hrs–ww4–pp4–sp7–fs5–green5–blue5–purple5–carb15
Gypsy Pot 45min/90min–ww2–pp3–sp4–fs2–green2–blue2–purple2–carb18
Simple Butternut Squash Soup 15min/20min–ww3–pp4–sp4–fs1–green1–blue1–purple1–carb20
Winter Vegetable Soup 25min/24hrs – WW3 – PP4 – NetCarb 29

Winter Squash in SANDWICHES, WRAPS & MORE
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Winter Squash in MAIN DISHES
Kitchen Parade recipes
Acorn Squash with Quinoa & Cherries
Simple Lentil Salad with Seasonal Vegetables
Slow Cooker Curried Vegetable Stew
Squash & Carrot Stew
Winter Stew

A Veggie Venture recipes
Butternut Squash Lasagna with Butternut Bechamel & Roasted Butternut Squash 55min/2hrs–ww6–pp7–sp10–fs8–green8–blue8–purple8–carb24
Farro Risotto with Butternut Squash 60min/60min–ww4–pp5–sp6–fs4–green4–blue4–purple4–carb17
Savory Bread Pudding with Butternut Squash, Chard & Cheddar 50min/2hrs–ww8–pp10–sp14–fs11–green11–blue11–purple11–carb28
Sweet Potato & Butternut Squash Tagine 30min/90min–ww4–pp7–sp11–fs7–green7–blue7–purple5–carb49
Warm Butternut Squash & Chickpea Salad with Tahini Dressing 40min/90min–ww4–pp6–sp7–fs2–green4–blue2–purple2–carb28

Winter Squash in SAUCES
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Winter Squash in SWEETS & BAKING
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

RECIPES using CANNED or FROZEN Winter Squash
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Winter Squash in CONVENIENCE PRODUCTS
A Veggie Venture recipes
Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Soup 1min/2min – WW1 – PP2 – NetCarb14




MOVING BEYOND THE STOVE & OVEN


Winter Squash on the GRILL
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!

Winter Squash in the MICROWAVE
A Veggie Venture recipes
Microwave Acorn Squash 2min/10min–ww1–pp2–sp2–fs0–green0–blue0–purple0–carb13

Winter Squash in the SLOW COOKER
Kitchen Parade recipes
Slow Cooker Curried Vegetable Stew
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato (or Pumpkin or Butternut Squash) Grits

A Veggie Venture recipes
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash with Ginger & Dried Fruit 25min/2hrs–ww2–pp3–sp6–fs4–green4–blue4–purple4–carb22

Winter Squash in the STOVETOP SMOKER
No recipes yet, this is my reminder!



A Veggie Venture is home of winter squash lover and
"veggie evangelist" Alanna Kellogg and the
famous asparagus-to-zucchini Alphabet of Vegetables.

© Copyright Kitchen Parade 2005 – 2022
Alanna Kellogg
Alanna Kellogg

A Veggie Venture is home of "veggie evangelist" Alanna Kellogg and the famous asparagus-to-zucchini Alphabet of Vegetables.

Comments

  1. Adele in N. MinnOctober 21, 2014

    Harvesting winter squash..you must wait until the skin is very hard, this usually means leave them on the vine for as long as possible, or at least until you can not cut the skin with your thumbnail. Here in zone 4 that means you must start plants inside quite early and hope for late October frost or cover if it threatens. Then if you keep them in coolish storage they will keep for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Adele ~Oh thank you! We actually started pulling the squash off the vine thinking they were a summer squash, a French squash, maybe a Mexican squash. Once I realized, I feared we had, yes, harvested too early. Next year we will hold off and wave northward in thanks!

    PS Especially happy to hear from a fellow Minnesotan. Where are you? My family home is in Lake of the Woods!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm British. Pumpkins round orange squashes that you might carve for Halloween but other kinds of squash are given their own names.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous ~ Aiii, so much for my sources! I’ll get that corrected!

    ReplyDelete

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Thank you for taking a moment to write! I read each and every comment, for each and every recipe, whether a current recipe or a long-ago favorite. If you have a specific question, it's nearly always answered quick-quick. ~ Alanna