Let’s Try Some New Squash!

by Dorothy Reinhold on October 15, 2013


Print This Post Print This Post Squash varieties on Shockingly Delicious

Fall means pumpkins and squash, and I’m here to encourage you to branch out from your usual. If you’ve tackled Butternut in the past, why not try Delicata this year?

If you’ve already discovered the miracle of Spaghetti squash and why it was named that, try Carnival or Sweet Dumpling or Gold Nugget or Acorn. (Acorn squash is named after the shape, and the one above is an Orange Acorn; the more common variety is usually green skinned.)

They’re all pretty to look at (they make a great centerpiece!), and pretty wonderful to taste (after you’re done with your dinner party).

When you see pretty winter squash in the store, let one jump into your cart. You’ll be thankful you did. 

We’re right about at the peak of winter variety squash season, so now’s the best time. Want a key to help you explore?

Squash varieties on Shockingly DeliciousHow to prepare: You can steam them, microwave them or roast them, plain or with a sprinkle of warm spices like cinnamon or cumin or nutmeg. The other day I cut a Delicata into 4 pieces, removed the seeds and sprinkled it with ras el hanout (the Middle Eastern spice blend) and then microwaved it for a minute or two. Delicious Delicata, and the skin was edible!

This gorgeous collection of beauties came from Tutti Frutti Organic Farms in Lompoc, the source of much of the squash varieties I am seeing in my supermarkets on the Westside of Los Angeles, and from Melissa’s Produce.  Thanks to both for showing ShockD readers some of fall’s bounty.

{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

sippitysup October 17, 2013 at 5:57 pm

How many of those are you going to infuse into vodka? Sorry I had to burst out with that! XOGREG

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Dorothy Reinhold October 18, 2013 at 6:27 pm

Greg,
Butternut Bombay?

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Dorothy Reinhold October 19, 2013 at 2:09 pm

Greg,
As many as possible!

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Denise October 17, 2013 at 5:50 pm

Hello. A friend of mine told me about your blog and “Cooking With Mr. C.” on Facebook. I now have two favorites. Keep up the great work. Denise

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Dorothy Reinhold October 18, 2013 at 6:25 pm

Denise,
Welcome, and thank you, and come pull up a chair! We have some delicious fun here!

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Kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts October 16, 2013 at 6:24 pm

Dorothy,
Yum! The only squash missing from your list is the mutant squash that my compost bin produces! I’ve got a Tree Squash right now, that started on the ground and grew up into a pine tree and when it got too heavy it slowly lowered from 8 ft down to the ground. I think it may be pumpkin-ish.
Thanks for the savory idea for Delicata!

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Dorothy Reinhold October 17, 2013 at 8:50 am

Kirsten,
I love freebie plants that just spring up and confound us as to their parentage!

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Lynne @ CookandBeMerry October 16, 2013 at 5:09 pm

I have been thinking about making roasted sliced delicata in a salad. Thanks for reminding me.

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