What to search for when shopping for squash
When shopping for squash, select ones which are agency, heavy for his or her measurement, and blemish or bruise-free. The pores and skin must be matte and never shiny, indicating ripeness.
What’s one of the simplest ways to prepare dinner squash?
Roasting
Winter and summer season squash can each be roasted, however winter squash will take longer to prepare dinner. To roast, put together your squash as wanted, both peeled chunks or wedges, toss the squash in oil and every other flavourings you need, then roast at 200C/180C fan/gasoline 6 for roughly 20 minutes for summer season squash and 30-40 minutes for winter squash till tender and browned across the edges. Butternut squash will also be halved, seeded, stuffed, and roasted.
Barbecuing or griddling
Higher suited to summer season squash like courgettes, toss thick slices or halves in somewhat oil and barbecue or griddle for 5-6 minutes on either side till you could have char marks and the courgettes have softened.
Uncooked
Courgettes will be eaten uncooked however are greatest thinly sliced or peeled into ribbons after which seasoned with somewhat salt, which helps soften them earlier than being dressed and utilized in salads.
Learn our useful guides on the right way to minimize butternut squash and the right way to roast butternut squash.
How you can retailer squash
To retailer squash, maintain them in a cool, dry place away from direct daylight. Winter squash can final for months, whereas summer season squash are greatest used inside every week or two. Reduce items must be saved within the fridge and used inside a couple of days.
Extra like this
20 completely different styles of squash
Winter squash
- Butternut squash
An awesome all-rounder producing dozens of small fruits with agency, tasty orange flesh that’s at its greatest drizzled with olive oil after which slow-roasted. Pattern it in our butternut squash & cherry tomato crumble — a super selection for a comfy autumn supper.
Attempt many extra cooking strategies with our butternut squash soup recipes, butternut squash pasta recipes, roasted butternut squash recipes and winter squash recipes. Additionally, study the right way to develop butternut squash with this beneficial information from Gardener’s World.
2. Pumpkin
That is your go-to pumpkin for Halloween, producing traditional spherical fruits in sensible orange which are made for carving and candy to eat, too. Attempt it in our pumpkin pasta alla vodka, a straightforward pasta dish that has a depth of flavour offered by the vodka and chilli.
Try extra pumpkin recipes, and browse our useful information on the right way to carve a pumpkin.
3. Crown Prince squash
The brilliant orange flesh of a crown prince squash tastes somewhat like candy potatoes and has a dense texture. It makes for a beautiful silky soup, like our pumpkin & bacon soup.
4. Acorn squash
Acorn squash derives its identify from its distinctive form. The plush, darkish inexperienced pores and skin cradles the candy, nutty, brilliant orange flesh. Good for stuffing – give our stuffed child squash with creamy mushrooms & tarragon a go as a spectacular veggie centrepiece on your Christmas feast.
5. Banana squash
Ditch conventional lasagne sheets for luscious layers of banana squash on this veg-packed butternut squash & spinach lasagne, topped with oozing melted cheese. Though the recipe suggests butternut squash, the equally wealthy, candy, earthy profile of banana squash is a perfect match. Plus, its substantial measurement is ideal for making ready beneficiant servings.
6. Spaghetti squash
With their rectangular type and stringy flesh, this squash selection provides spaghetti-like strands when scooped post-cooking. A improbable, health-conscious, low-carb various to conventional pasta.
7. Kabocha squash
Savour the distinctive Kabocha squash, a famend Japanese winter pumpkin cherished for its charming, intense flavour. Its compact, darkish inexperienced fruits home the colourful yellow-orange flesh. Go for Kabocha over common pumpkin in our pumpkin stew, crafting a nourishing, low-fat dish superb for these cosy winter dinners.
8. Harlequin squash
Harlequin squash flaunts its distinctive allure with putting gold and inexperienced fruits. Their pure sweetness ranges are excellent for pan frying or roasting, producing superbly caramelised flesh. Elevate our stuffed butternut squash recipe by substituting Harlequin squash and stuffing it with nuts, barley and herbs.
9. Candy dumpling squash
These winter squash have white and inexperienced colouring with a candy, delicate flavour. Attempt one in our creamy baked gnocchi with squash & spinach as an alternative of butternut. Surprisingly, you may whip it up in simply half-hour with a microwave, and your visitors might be none the wiser.
10. Crimson kuri squash
This squash is medium-sized, spherical and has a deep red-orange hue. Its form resembles an onion, and it tastes greatest in soups and casseroles. Attempt a twist on our spicy pumpkin soup by substituting conventional pumpkin with this pleasant squash. Remember to avoid wasting the seeds for toasting and garnishing – they add a beautiful crunch to enhance the velvety soup.
11. Turban squash
Turban squash boasts a very distinctive look, resembling a pumpkin with a small pumpkin “crown”. Its delicate flavour makes it a super addition to salads after roasting. Attempt it in our roast squash & hummus winter salad, a nutritious delight loaded with beta-carotene and vitamin C, bolstering your immune defences with each chunk.
12. Buttercup squash
With their charming form, these squash varieties stay contemporary effectively into late winter, providing a buttery-sweet and satiny texture when baked and mashed. Use it in our roast candy potato, squash & garlic mash, a twist on conventional mash that elevates your roast dishes. This versatile recipe will be effortlessly adjusted to feed any variety of visitors by doubling or halving it, and it is dairy-free, catering to vegan preferences.
13. Hubbard squash
The petite, finely-grained Golden Hubbard squash is a real gem, providing light-coloured, flavourful flesh. It is a superb selection for freezing and superb for soups like our Thai pumpkin recipe. This soup boasts a velvety texture, courtesy of creamy coconut milk and packs a punch with the distinctive Thai flavours of lemongrass, ginger, and crimson curry paste.
14. Carnival squash
So far as aesthetics go, this squash is a real magnificence. Whereas its orange and inexperienced speckled pores and skin can grace your house decor, do not overlook its culinary potential. When stuffed and baked, it transforms right into a mouthwatering delight. Think about filling it with wild rice, fennel, apple, pomegranate seeds, and pecans to create a showstopping stuffed pumpkin centrepiece tailored for an autumnal vegan or vegetarian ceremonial dinner.
15. Honeynut squash
Introducing the honeynut squash, a candy hybrid of the butternut selection. Resembling a petite butternut, it packs a singular flavour punch. Give it a shot in our hasselback butternut squash with tahini yogurt & gremolata. The honeynut’s smaller measurement ensures every visitor will get their very own delectable portion.
Summer time squash
16. Patty pan squash
Patty pan squash, these petite, sunny-hued wonders, boast a light-weight, nutty flavour. Elevate your seasonal menu throughout sunnier months by incorporating them into dishes like our creamy summer season squash risotto, infused with garlic and thyme. Not solely is it simple to arrange, but it surely’s additionally versatile, serving a gathering of 4 to 6 with ease.
Be taught extra on the right way to develop patty pan squash.
17. Chayote squash
The distinctive inexperienced, pear-shaped chayote squash is a standard sight in Mexican and Latin-American grocery shops. In lots of households, it stars in comforting stews or takes the stage as a steamed aspect dish. Chayote can be well-liked all through Asia and amongst some island nations. Its delicate flavour is usually in comparison with cucumbers, and it may be served uncooked or pickled.
Attempt it rather than cucumber in our smacked cucumbers recipe.
18. Courgette
Courgette, a beloved summer season staple, stands as one of the versatile squashes, gracing grocery retailer cabinets all year long. Get pleasure from it uncooked, grilled or spiralised into noodle-like strands. Elevate your weeknight dinner sport with our 25-minute marvel, courgette chilli & mint with pearl couscous. The courgettes and couscous demand minimal prep, whereas the colourful mixture of mint, chilli, garlic and lemon types a zesty dressing that’ll depart your style buds dancing.
19. Crookneck squash
Crookneck squashes, sporting their club-shaped base and curved neck, are available in clean or tough textures, encasing a creamy flesh with a nutty flavour. For a twist, swap courgettes with these vibrant gems in our courgette, inexperienced bean & feta salad. Marinate the crookneck squash, inexperienced beans and feta in a mix of olive oil, garlic, thyme, chilli and zesty orange. It is a dish flavourful sufficient to face by itself, but additionally an excellent complement to barbecued meats.
20. Cousa squash
Cousa squash, usually discovered within the Center East area, is a stouter, shorter model of courgette with a lighter color and a mildly candy flavour. Nevertheless, they are often elusive in common grocery shops, usually needing to be home-grown. Cousa squash, like most summer season squashes, has a skinny pores and skin that is simple to peel and minimize by. Make it the star of the present in our herby courgette & white bean salad by ribboning and dressing in a easy mustard and honey sauce.
Benefit from seasonal produce with our recipe concepts:
High 10 hottest autumn recipes
What to do with root greens
How you can profit from a veg field
High 10 spring dinner concepts
10 intelligent methods to make use of greens in bakes
20 winter salad recipes
High 10 hottest summer season recipes
