What to do with squash
Thursday, 28th November 2019 by Anonymous

Squash come in so many shapes, sizes and colours and we are lucky to be able to source a great variety of them throughout autumn and winter.  When people ask me, what can you do with squash, my usual (and quite unhelpful) answer is "what can't you do with squash?" But seriously, it's wonderfully versatile - it works in soups, stews, curries, pies, tarts, cakes and salads. A whole world of delicious awaits you.

Types of squash

Kabocha, red kuri, butternut, crown prince, bonbon, hokkaido – red sweet flesh, dry when roasted

Delicata, harlequin, dumpling, spaghetti – paler flesh, watery so loses some bulk when roasted, nutty buttery flavour

Check out our more complete squash identification guide here.

Peeling squash is one of the most fiddly things about cooking squash. To make life easier, you can cook the squash with the skin on, and if the recipe requires no skin, you can easily scoop the flesh off the skin once cooked. Most squash skins are edible. You'll know if it isn't because it will be rock hard once cooked and very unappealing to chew on!

So without further ado, here's a selection of fantastic recipes to inspire you. (Most recipes you'll find online use butternut squash, because that's what the supermarkets sell, but you can use what ever squash you have to hand!)

Roast squash

One of the most simple and satisfying ways to enjoy squash. There are so many flavour combos you can use.  

squash roast sage pesto

Roast squash with sage pesto

Spicy roast squash

Roast squash with garlic and thyme

 

Salads

Once your squash is roasted, you can throw it into a salad!

roast squash kale salad

Kale and roast squash salad 

Roast squash salad with goats cheese

 

Stuffed

If in doubt, stuff it! There's endless possibilities here - and this blog has compiled 17 recipe options!

stuffed squash

17 Stuffed Squash recipes by Greatist

 

Stews, soups and curries

Squash can be found in traditional cuisines all over the world, from South America, to the Middle East and South East Asia, so you'll find a plethora of different kinds of curries and stews out there. Here are some of our favourites.

Butternut squash ragu

Squash and butterbean ragout 

Thai pumpkin curry

Squash and chickpea curry

Palestinian red lentil squash soup

Mexian squash soup with ancho chili

 

Pies and tarts

squash ricotta tart

Squash & ricotta tart

Winter squash galette

Squash frittata

 

Keep it simple

Buttered baked squash

Microwaved squash

Once cooked, you can mash it, season with salt, pepper (chilli flakes), spread on toast, sprinkle with crumbled feta and enjoy!

Steamed

 

 

Sweets

Most sweet squash recipes call for pumpkin, but any of the dark orange-fleshed squash will work too. They've got the same sweetness that will work in cakes and pies.

pumpkin pie

Pumpkin Pie

Squash Cookies

Spiced pumpkin muffins

And for something completely different... Spiced pumpkin and whisky bread pudding