Whole Winter Squash, Cooked Three Ways

Winter squash is a delightful and nutritious vegetable that can be cooked in various ways, producing soft and silky flesh perfect for purées, soups, or desserts. If you find the process of cutting a raw squash daunting or intimidating, fear not! In this recipe, I will share three easy and hassle-free cooking methods to prepare winter squash: oven roasting, steaming whole squash, and roasting squash pieces in the shell. Whether you have a small or large squash, these methods will yield delicious results that you can use in a variety of dishes.

Makes: 4 to 10 servings, depending on the size of the squash

Time: 1 to 2 hours, depending on size, completely unattended

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 or more whole winter squash (1 to 8 pounds)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Method 1: Oven Roasting

1. Heat the oven to 375°F. Rinse off the squash(es).
2. Use a thin sharp knife, an ice pick, or a long-tined fork to poke several holes in the top of the squash around the stem.
3. Place the squash on a rimmed baking sheet or shallow roasting pan.
4. Roast the squash, undisturbed, for at least 30 minutes. When the sides start to soften and collapse, move it around or turn it over to promote even cooking.
5. Continue roasting until deeply colored and quite soft. Small squashes will take about 45 minutes, while larger ones may take up to 1 1/2 hours.
6. Remove the squash from the oven and set it aside to cool almost completely before handling.
7. Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seeds and stringy fiber.
8. Then scoop out the flesh. Use immediately or store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for several days or in the freezer for several months.

Method 2: Whole Winter Squash, Steamed

1. Prepare the squash(es) as described in Step 1 of the Oven Roasting method.
2. Rig a steamer and pour enough water to cover the bottom of the pot.
3. Place the squash on the steamer, stem side up.
4. Cover the pot and bring to a boil, then lower the heat so the water bubbles vigorously.
5. Check the pot occasionally to ensure there’s still water in the bottom.
6. After about 30 minutes, turn the squash over if possible.
7. Cooking time will be about the same as for roasting.
8. Once the squash is done, put it on a plate to cool and proceed with the recipe from Step 3 of the Oven Roasting method.

Method 3: Roasted Squash Pieces in the Shell

1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Cover a rimmed baking sheet or shallow roasting pan with foil.
2. Cut and seed the squash(es) as directed.
3. Place the squash in the pan, cut side down, and roast until starting to get tender, which should take about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the variety.
4. Turn the pieces over and roast until done, another 20 minutes or so.
5. Cool the squash pieces a bit, then scoop out the flesh.

With these three easy cooking methods, you can effortlessly prepare winter squash and enjoy its soft and silky goodness in a variety of dishes, adding delightful flavors to your meals. Whether you choose oven roasting, steaming, or roasting squash pieces in the shell, this versatile vegetable will make a welcome addition to your culinary creations!