Tuesday, September 16, 2008

I've found a squash I do not like.

I didn't think it was possible.

I'll be the first to admit to being a picky eater. However, motherhood changes things. As well as making me scatter brained and in constant need of a notebook to jot down reminders, it has apparently also affected my taste buds. I don't think I could be considered a picky eater anymore because I'll eat most any food placed in front of me (oink oink).

Obviously, we love summer squash. I'm surprised we didn't turn into gourds when that was all we ate for a month. A few weeks ago, one of T's co-workers gave him a spaghetti squash. He suggested mixing the cooked squash with some actual spaghetti for our first time. Lo and behold, we loved it (especially with our infamous tomato sauce--ha). I'm left wondering why we had never tried it before now! It is going to be a welcome addition to next summer's garden.

Also gifted a butternut squash, we tried it for the first time a few days ago. I cut it open, scooped out the seeds and baked it with some butter and a touch of brown sugar. For starters, I didn't bake it long enough. Dinner was already late that night, so we took our servings from one half, but we put the other half back in the oven for a while. I didn't enjoy it. It reminded me of turnips, and I am not a fan of turnips (even after my new mother taste buds developed). T seemed to be on the fence. And Monkey--my Monkey whom could also be known as Piggy-- she only ate a few bites before turning her attention to the rest of the food on her plate.

So, dear readers, I have an assignment of sorts for you. I want to know how you cook YOUR butternut squash. I still have another one to cook (we were given one after we bought one at a farm stand). Anyone can do an online search, but what I want is your tried and true recipes.

You may make a convert of me yet.

7 comments:

Rabid Outdoorsman said...

Eat mine with just butter, however, pasta sauce sounds very interesting . . .

Jodi said...

Just butter on butter nut squash.

Spaghetti sauce on spaghetti squash.

I'm seeing a trend here... Should I be putting acorns on my acorn squash? lol

maine momma of 3 (formally: stayathomemommy from maine) said...

lol on the acorns!!!

I love butternut squash (but have never been a fan of the spagetti squash... mine always comes out so watery and no flavor)

I think it tastes more like sweet potatoes. I bet you didn't cook it long enough or is it possible it wasn't ripe?? Was it really pale on the outside and bright orange on the inside??

I do what you did, cut it in 1/2 and bake it w/ butter, brown sugar, a little curry, cinnamon and salt. I score the flesh with a sharp knife so all the flavor doesn't drip into the hole. It does take about an hour to cook. It has to let a fork in really easy.

(to save time I've cooked mine on Sunday when I have had time then ate it later in the week.)

It also makes yummy soup! I Cook it the same way (It's really hard to peel) then scoop out the flesh. Put it in a soup pan, add about a cup of chicken stalk and 1/2 a cup of cream (if you want, I don't always add it but it's in the recipe I have). Add less then add til you get the consistancy you like. I love curry and cinnamon so I add more. Use your imersion blender to make it creamy. Good with croutons on a winter night!!

Good luck!!

maine momma of 3 (formally: stayathomemommy from maine) said...

oh, and I hate turnip too... eeewww! It should not taste like turnip!!!!!

Michelle said...

SAHM basically told you what I do with them. I love butternut squash soup. If you're going to add curry to it (yum) do it with yogurt instead of cream and add a bit of honey... ::drool::

maine momma of 3 (formally: stayathomemommy from maine) said...

Michelle, what a great twist... Can't wait to try it!!

maine momma of 3 (formally: stayathomemommy from maine) said...

I just found a butternut squash recipe I want to try and thought of you:

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

I also spoke to a couple of people that said butternut squash needs to see a frost to taste yummy so yours probably wasn't ripe yet.

Try it again... it is my favorite so having you not like it is such a shame ;(

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