Acorn squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash—it all packs a ton of nutrition and tastes pretty good too. So here are easy ways to cook it up.
Why you should eat more squash—and easy recipes to help you do it.
Sure, gourds might scream fall, but don’t chuck all of them out for the winter season like a moldy jack-o-lantern. This fleshy fruit (yep, believe it or not—it’s got seeds) has health benefits that you need year-round:
- It’s low in fat and full of dietary fiber, which keeps you feeling full and may help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- The bright orange color signals that butternut squash is packed with carotenoids, nutrients that help prevent against heart disease, says Elisa Zied, R.D., a dietician in New York City
- A one-cup serving packs nearly half of your daily dose of vitamin C.
Sound good? These five easy recipes make working squash into your diet a cinch—let's get started.
Whether you're in the mood for sweet or savory, this side dish has got you covered. Halve an acorn squash, scoop out the seeds, and add a little butter, kosher salt, and black pepper (or, sweeten the deal with brown sugar and cinnamon or a drizzle of maple syrup). Bake for about an hour at 400 degrees—the simplest side ever.
Hey cubicle-dwellers: this simple recipe definitely rivals the soup-and-sandwich joint down the block, so cook up a pot over the weekend to eat throughout the week. To start, peel, core, and chop one squash. Next, sauté a bit of celery and onions with butter, then add 3 cups of low-sodium broth and 1 cup of water. Cover, bring to a boil, and then simmer until the squash softens (about 30 minutes). Then, transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor and puree. Mix it up by adding other fruits and veggies: apples and cinnamon add sweetness; carrots, ginger, and a pinch of cayenne pepper ramp up the heat.
We know: sometimes you just want to faceplant into a heaping plate of pasta. But all you carb-conscious guys can skip the fettuccini in flavor of spaghetti squash, which delivers the same texture and heartiness. Halve the squash and remove the seeds, then roast at 350 degrees until softened (about 35 minutes). Once it's cooked, scoop out the flesh and toss with tomato sauce. You can up the nutritional content by adding other veggies like roasted zucchini, mushrooms, sauteed peppers, onions, or garlic. Still craving Italian? Top your plate with a turkey meatball.
Chili doesn't have to be loaded with calories and fat, and squash adds substance to this cold-weather staple. Instead of gorging on ground beef, opt for a lean meat like ground chicken or turkey, or go vegetarian. Start with a base of stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Next, toss in nutrient-rich veggies like squash, carrots, spinach, and zucchini. For more protein and fiber, add legumes like kidney or navy beans. Simmer with seasonings like a bay leaf, chili powder, and black pepper.
Heap a roasted squash on top of a bed of quinoa for a well-rounded meal. Though it's cooked like a grain, quinoa's actually a seed. It's a complete protein, which means it contains all of the amino acids we need. It's also a source of calcium and dietary fiber. So now's the time to give it a try.
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Recipes With Acorn Squash, Butternut Squash and Other Winter Squash