All About Winter Squash

October5

All About Winter Squash - They may look weird, but they're wonderful!

Winter squash reminds me of football players. Not just because they’re both in season right now, but because they’re low in fat, usually large and have really tough skins (yet somehow manage to be pretty sweet on the inside!).

These vegetables are  also incredibly versatile and can be substituted for each other. They’re also high in vitamins and antioxidants… and they’ll keep for weeks if you store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place (I’m not sure football players would like that).

When choosing winter squash, here’s what to look for:
• Firm, hard skin
• Deep rich color (lots of beta-carotene)
• Heavy for it’s size

These are some of the more popular winter squash and a few links to delicious recipes from other fantastic food bloggers:

All About Winter Squash. Acorn Squash - One of the most popular in America. It’s a little bland, which may be why it’s used in so many recipes.

Acorn Squash

One of the most popular in America. It’s a little bland, which may be why it’s used in so many recipes.

All About Winter Squash. Banana Squash: When you see cut up slabs of squash in the supermarket, it’s probably one of these. Thanks Melissa's Produce!

Image from Melissa’s Produce

Banana Squash

These are the huge… really, really huge. Halloween pumpkins can get big and round… these get big and long. When you see cut up slabs of squash in the supermarket, it’s probably one of these.

All About Winter Squash. Buttercup Squash - Dark green, dense and squat, sometimes with a turban on top, these squash are amazingly sweet.Buttercup Squash

Dark green, dense and squat, sometimes with a turban on top, these squash are amazingly sweet.

All About Winter Squash. Butternut Squash - Amazing flavor and versatility makes this the perfect all-purpose squash.Butternut Squash

A very distinctive squash with a buff-skin and long, straight solid neck and round bottom. Amazing flavor and versatility makes this the perfect all-purpose squash.

All About Winter Squash. Carnival Squash - The party animal in the squash family, these pumpkin-shaped squash are splashed with fall colors and have a sweet potato-like flavor.Carnival Squash

The party animal in the squash family, these pumpkin-shaped squash are splashed with fall colors and have a sweet potato-like flavor.

All About Winter Squash. Delicata Squash - Yellow or cream colored with dark green strips running down their oblong shape, these squash are easy to peel and are great for filling.Delicata Squash

Yellow or cream colored with dark green strips running down their oblong shape, these squash are easy to peel and are great for filling.

All About Squash. Hubbard Squash - Don’t let the “wart” covered skin keep you from trying this delicious squash in any of its color combinations (orange, blue or slate)!

Hubbard Squash

Don’t let the “wart” covered skin keep you from trying this delicious squash in any of its color combinations (orange, blue or slate)!

All About Winter Squash: Kabocha - Also known as Japanese pumpkin, the green, almost square-shaped Kabocha is similar to buttercup squash with a nice sweet flavor.Kabocha Squash

Also known as Japanese pumpkin, the green, almost square-shaped Kabocha is similar to buttercup squash with a nice sweet flavor.

All About Winter Squash. Spaghetti Squash: Substitute this lovely yellow squash for whole-wheat spaghetti and you’ll save 75-percent of the calories! Available year-round put peaks from early fall through winter.Spaghetti Squash

Substitute this lovely yellow squash for whole-wheat spaghetti and you’ll save 75-percent of the calories! Available year-round put peaks from early fall through winter.


Butternut Squash & Caramelized Onion Tart

January7


Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion - MHS

How’re you doing with that New Year’s resolution to eat healthier?

Well, I’ve got one last rich dish to offer up before you pitch everything creamy and indulgent that’s still in the fridge:

Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Tarts.

My pals at Welcome Home Brands sent me these disposable oven-safe 4-inch ruffled baking cups… just perfect for making individual tarts. They’re great for any fun event (they come in a lot of other colors and shapes). Adds a pop of fun, don’t you think? You can also make this dish in a pie or larger tart pan, as in the recipe below.

So here’s the last blast… full of fat and flavor and, oh, so delicious: Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Tarts.

You’ll need a 2-lb butternut squash for this recipe. If your squash is bigger and you have extra, roast all of it and save it for later in the week… you are going to start eating healthier, right?



 

Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo

November19

Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo-Mama's High Strung

This started off as a healthy recipe: spaghetti squash, roasted red pepper and a little garlic.

But then, without warning, it took a luscious turn for the delicious.

Suddenly, it became a rich and decadently creamy dish loaded with flavor: Spaghetti Squash with Alfredo Sauce. I threw in some roasted red peppers for even more WOW.

Okay, so the sauce has a little bit of fat in it. So what?! You’re saving carbs by serving it with the spaghetti squash instead of pasta. And it’s gluten free!

Yep… I’ve always been able to justify all kinds of bad behavior.

 

How To Cook Spaghetti Squash in a Microwave in 5 Easy Steps

November13

Spaghetti squash can be a bright, beautiful drop of sunshine in your autumn kitchen.How to Cook Spaghetti Squash in a Microwave- Mama's High Strung

After it’s cooked, those long yellow strands of flesh are a brilliant substitute for pasta. It’s also one of the best vitamin-packed vegetables you can eat. With a little seasoning, it’s a perfect side dish for whatever you’re serving.

Like most winter squash, these babies can be hard to open… but preparing them is so very easy. If you’ve got a microwave-safe dish with a lid, you’re all set. Some recipes call for covering the squash with plastic wrap… but that bothers me. Here’s my method and all you need is a pie plate and a microwave.

Ready? Here’s how to cook spaghetti squash in a microwave in 5 easy steps:

1. Wash and dry the 3 to 4 pound squash thoroughly.

2. Place the squash on your cutting board. Insert a large, heavy-duty chef’s knife lengthwise in the middle of the squash. Carefully slice the squash towards the end. Remove the knife, turn the squash. Insert the knife again and slice toward the uncut end until it opens.

3. With a metal spoon, scrape out the seeds and pulp until you reach the hard flesh. (Be sure to save the seeds and roast them!)

4. Pour ¼ cup of water into the bottom of a microwave-safe pie plate. Place one half of the squash face down in the water. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes on high in the microwave. You’ll know it’s ready when the squash is soft and you can easily squeeze or press it. (Note: If your microwave doesn’t rotate, turn the dish ¼-way around after 8 minutes of cooking. Continue cooking for 5 to 7 minutes until cooked). Remove the cooked squash half from the pie plate. Place remaining squash half on the pie plate with ¼ cup water if necessary. Repeat.

5. When both squash halves cool, remove the yellow “spaghetti” flesh with a fork.

Pretty easy, don’t you think? So don’t avoid these beauties! Bring a little sunshine into your kitchen this week… spaghetti squash is in season now!

Hi…
I’m Christina Chavez

I was a TV journalist for many years, but with a house full of kids I decided to come off the road, go to culinary school and follow my passion for cooking. Mama’s High Strung is all about food… everything from creative recipe ideas to some really cool kitchen gadgets and cooking tips. I live in Chicago, but I love to travel and write about my food discoveries! You can reach me by email: mamashighstrung@gmail.com