Our Favorite Squash Recipes for the Fall Season

Our Favorite Squash Recipes for the Fall Season

When it comes to fall, there's one thing that we can't get enough of, squash! Grocery stores and farmers' markets are full of this seasonal vegetable. The many different fall and winter squash varieties bring countless traditional flavors and colors to the table. Work squash into your favorite soup recipe, or use this veggie to create an extravagant fall-inspired meal that will pleasantly surprise your guests with each bite. No matter how you choose to work squash into your classic fall dish, it's a great way to boost the nutritional value and flavor of any menu while making use of fresh produce.

What Is Squash?

Squash is a hard-skinned vegetable that is most commonly harvested in the late summer and early fall. There are several different squash varieties, including pumpkins, the true king of fall! One of the most remarkable qualities of squash is that it's easy to store and will remain fresh for an extended time. The most common squash varieties are butternut squash, spaghetti squash, acorn squash and pumpkin. Squash is an excellent way to add a seasonal highlight and taste to holiday menus.

Can You Cook with Pumpkin?

Though pumpkins are the highlight of fall, they often don't make it past the jack-o'-lantern stage. When it comes to cooking with pumpkin, aside from their seeds carving pumpkins aren't that edible. If you're making a pumpkin pie or sweet squash-filled dessert, be sure to use pie pumpkins instead of the large carving ones. This will ensure that your treat turns into a mouthwatering dessert.

What Is Butternut Squash?

As it pertains to cooking with squash, butternut squash is by far the most common variety and the kind that we'll be discussing most today. Butternut squash is smooth and creamy, featuring a sweet, nutty flesh that works well in various baked goods and savory dishes. Butternut squash can be baked, boiled, steamed and even roasted. If left uncooked, this type of squash will remain fresh for up to six months.

How to Choose a Butternut Squash

Our Favorite Squash Recipes for the Fall Season | Bob's Red Mill Blog When searching for the perfect butternut squash to cook with, look for one that sounds a bit hollow when you knock on it. This hollow sound helps us know that the squash inside has been fully ripened and is ready to eat. Additionally, the outside of the squash should have a beige cast. Steer clear of butternut squash that has a greenish hue, as it is probably not ready to eat.

How to Cook with Butternut Squash

To remove the skin from butternut squash, use a sharp kitchen knife to cut off the stem and slice the squash's ends. Next, you'll want to cut it horizontally and separate the narrow top sections from the wider bottom area. Peel your squash with a peeler, remove all of the seeds and slice it into chunks. Butternut squash pairs well with both sweet and savory recipes and can be worked into various dishes. Ready to start cooking with butternut squash? Continue reading to discover our favorite easy squash recipes for the fall season.

Squash Recipes for the Fall Season

Breakfast Recipes

Breakfast is arguably the most essential part of the day. It gives you a much-needed boost of energy, breaks the fast of sleeping and gets your body up and running for the events ahead. While squash is often thought of as a savory dish best saved for dinner recipes, there are many ways that you can turn this vegetable into a flavorful and healthy breakfast food. To get some ideas on how you can begin to incorporate squash in your breakfast meals, we have rounded up a couple of our favorite recipes. Try them out and let us know what you think.

Butternut Ginger Smoothie

Our Favorite Squash Recipes for the Fall Season | Bob's Red Mill Blog   Smoothies are a highly nutritious and easy-to-make breakfast dish that can be enjoyed virtually anywhere. Prep your smoothie ingredients the night before, and blend them up in the morning for a quick and healthy breakfast treat to enjoy as you're rushing out the door. For the ideal blend of savory and sweet, make this Butternut Ginger Smoothie. Nutty butternut squash and spicy ginger make for the perfect combo for a warming fall smoothie. Plus, our Chai Protein Powder Nutritional Booster is added to amp up the health-boosting benefits of this breakfast even more!

Apple and Butternut Squash Crumble

Spice up your favorite fall recipe by putting a gluten free spin on an Apple and Butternut Squash Crumble. Vegan, great for you, and incredibly tasty, this butternut squash-based dessert is sure to win over even the pickiest of eaters. For even more flavor, top it with a blend of crumbled oats, brown sugar, cocoa powder, almonds and olive oil. This is one dessert recipe you wont want to miss out on.

Lunch and Dinner Recipes

Searching for a savory squash dish that can double as lunch or dinner? The subtle sweet and nutty flavor of squash makes it a versatile vegetable that can be combined with several different meals ranging from a fresh seasonal salad to rich and creamy pasta. Keep scrolling for a squash recipe that is out of this world delicious. We're confident you won't be disappointed!

Paleo Squash Galette

Our Favorite Squash Recipes for the Fall Season | Bob's Red Mill Blog Rich, savory and full of seasonal ingredients, this Paleo Squash Galette is the perfect lunch or light dinner recipe to make for your next fall get-together. Whip up a large batch of it according to the recipe, or get creative and add your own favorite seasonal veggies. This galette is a great way to show off autumn produce, as virtually anything can be added to it, making it a simple recipe to make year-round.

Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta with Sage Pumpkin

Are you craving something a bit more filling? This Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta with Sage Pumpkin is the perfect fall dinner recipe to cozy up to on a chilly night. Because butternut squash is used for this pasta sauce base, it makes for a nutrient-rich and vegan meal. Loaded with vitamins and minerals, this pasta is a comforting meal that you can enjoy guilt-free. For an extra cheesy flavor without dairy, nutritional yeast is used, adding even more nutrients to this dish. Top your freshly made pasta with crunchy pumpkin seeds and fried sage for the ultimate vegan, gluten free, and plant based meal!

Dessert Recipes

What would a fantastic seasonal menu be without a shining dessert option? Dessert is the best way to end a perfect dining experience. And, if the dessert is delicious, you'll surely leave the table feeling full and satisfied. While squash may not be the first ingredient that comes to mind when creating a mouthwatering dessert, it's undoubtedly a worthy contender. Squash's mild and nutty flavor makes it the perfect vegetable to combine with sweeter items like maple, brown sugar and sweet juicy fruits. If you're seeking a dessert that will leave a lasting impression on guests, try out one of these lovely fall treats featuring butternut squash.

Gluten Free Squash and Blue Cheese Muffins

Our Favorite Squash Recipes for the Fall Season | Bob's Red Mill Blog Muffins are always a good idea. They're sweet, bite-sized and easily customizable. Additionally, because muffins are simple to transport, they can be made as a dessert table treat or in batches to send loved ones. For a savory muffin recipe that is simple to make and features the season's finest ingredients, make these Gluten Free Squash and Blue Cheese Muffins. A great use of leftover squash, these muffins are the perfect sweet accompaniment to a creamy fall soup or can even be served as a dessert-like breakfast. Enjoy them as is, with a dollop of butter, or alongside a fresh sliced apple. They're a fall baking staple that truly shines!

Butternut Squash Olive Oil Cake with Clementine Gaze

The perfect dessert to brighten up the rainy days of fall, this Butternut Squash Olive Oil Cake with Clementine Gaze is absolutely delicious. Indulgent, high in fiber and lactose and soy free, it's the ideal recipe to make when you're craving a seasonal sweet. Enjoy this cake after dinner or pair with tea or coffee for a luxurious dessert experience. From savory breakfast dishes to sweet dessert recipes, the many ways to cook with squash in the kitchen are endless. The next time you're at the supermarket, step out of your comfort zone, and purchase this seasonal vegetable. After just one bite of one of these mouthwatering recipes with squash, you'll be hooked. Have a favorite squash recipe you'd like to share? We'd love to hear what it is. Let us know in the comments below. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, happy baking!  
Bob's Red Mill
November 25 2020

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