Roasted Squash Seeds
Pumpkins aren’t the only fall squash with delicious seeds to roast: Butternut, Red Kuri and many others have seeds worthy of crisping up in a hot oven.
Ingredients:
1 squash of your choice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400°. Cut squash in half and scoop out seeds, using your fingers to separate the seeds from the stringy flesh. Put seeds in a large bowl.
2. Cover seeds with cool water and and swish around. Pull off any bits of squash still clinging to the seeds. Drain squash seeds and shake off any excess water. Spread on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and dry thoroughly.
3. Put seeds in a bowl and toss with vegetable oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat thoroughly.
4. Spread seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast until golden and crispy, about 15 minutes. Let cool at least slightly and serve warm or at room temperature.
Fall Salad with Roasted Squash, Apples & Candied Squash Seeds
Topped with a maple-mustard vinaigrette and candied squash seeds, this salad would pair nicely alongside this week’s antipasti bites.
Ingredients:
8 cups fall salad mix, or a mix of your favorite greens
1 apple, cut into large matchsticks
1½ cups cubed and roasted winter squash of your choice, such as Robin’s Koginut
¼ cup thinly-sliced red onion
â…“ cup crumbled feta cheese
½ cup candied squash seeds (see recipe)
Dressing:
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Whisk all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. In a large bowl, toss the greens with half of the vinaigrette. Arrange the apple slices, squash, red onions, feta, and candied seeds on top of the greens. Drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette and serve.
Winter Squash Butter
Velvety-smooth and creamy, this spread is excellent on pumpernickel bread.
Ingredients:
2 cups roasted winter squash*
½ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons spice blend (see below)
½ teaspoon lemon juice
4 tablespoons apple cider
Spice blend:
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon cardamom seeds
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Method:
*To roast squash: Preheat oven to 450°. Cut your winter squash of choice in half and remove the seeds and stringy flesh. Drizzle with a bit of neutral tasting oil, and roast until the flesh of the squash is very tender, 40 minutes to 1 hour.
1. Using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder, pulverize the cloves and cardamom seeds. Mix with ground cinnamon. Set aside.
2. Scooping the roasted squash flesh from the skin, measure out two full cups of winter squash, packing it into the measuring cup. In a food processor, combine squash, plus all other ingredients and process until smooth.
3. Using a spatula, scrape the mixture from the food processor into a medium saucepan. Bring the squash mixture to a simmer, and continue to simmer, scraping the bottom to prevent sticking and burning, for 10 to 15 minutes, until it thickens and becomes velvety.
4. Allow the squash butter to cool, and then funnel into small jars. The butter will keep, refrigerated, for up to two weeks.
Candied Squash Seeds
Great for snacking, scattering over salad or serving atop soup!
Ingredients:
1½ cups winter squash seeds
3 tablespoons olive oil
1½ tablespoons packed light brown sugar
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
Method:
1. Line a 9-by-13-inch rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Scoop the seeds out of the squash and into a large colander. Rinse seeds thoroughly under cold running water. Use your hands to separate any lingering squash flesh from the seeds. Shake off as much water as you can, then pat dry with paper towel. (If you have time, allow the seeds to sit out on the counter for a couple of hours to really get dry.)
3. Preheat the oven to 350°. Stir together the olive oil, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a medium mixing bowl, until completely combined. Add the seeds and toss to coat. Evenly spread the seeds in a single layer on the prepared pan.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the seeds are golden and crispy and begin to make popping sounds.
Variation: Once you master the method of preparing the seeds, feel free to play around the seasonings here. We love subbing out the cinnamon in favor of a rosemary-kissed Tuscan herb salt for a more savory flavor!
Roasted Squash & Spinach Quiche
Dotted with balsamic vinegar caramelized onions, roasted squash and fresh spinach, this quiche is incredibly delicious, yet healthful.
Ingredients:
1 yellow onion, or 3 Cipollini onions, peeled
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1½ cups Turk’s Turban squash (or other winter squash of your choice), cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup whole milk
5 large eggs
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced
½ teaspoon fresh thyme
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup packed spinach leaves
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
1 pre-prepared pie crust
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Roll the prepared crust into a 12-inch circle (to fit a 9-inch pie pan). Prick it all over with a fork. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
2. To make the filling: Quarter the onion, and slice thinly. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and deep golden brown. (This will take about 20 minutes). Right before the onion finishes cooking, add balsamic vinegar to the pan and cook for a few more minutes. While the onion is caramelizing, spread the cubed squash on a baking sheet and toss it with the remaining olive oil, along with dashes of salt and pepper. Roast the squash until it starts to brown and soften, about 20 minutes as well. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs. Add the rosemary, thyme, cheese, salt, and pepper to the eggs. Place the caramelized onions, roasted squash, and baby spinach in the pie pan. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables.
3. While the onion is caramelizing, spread the cubed squash on a baking sheet and toss it with the remaining olive oil, along with dashes of salt and pepper. Roast the squash until it starts to brown and soften, about 20 minutes as well.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs. Add the rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add the caramelized onions, roasted squash, grated cheese, and baby spinach. Pour the mixture into the pie crust.
5. Bake the quiche for about 40 to 45 minutes. The edges should be golden brown and the center should feel just set. Remove the quiche from the oven and let it cool on a rack. Serve warm, or at room temperature.
Roasted Delicata Squash
Buttery and incredibly delicious, Delicata squash is wonderful roasted with just a touch of brown sugar and red pepper flakes.
Ingredients:
2 Delicata squash (about 3 pounds)
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400°. With a sharp knife, cut Delicata in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and discard (or, save and roast like pumpkin seeds if you wish). Cut each Delicata half into ½-inch slices.
2. Arrange the pieces in a single layer in a metal baking pan and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with brown sugar and red pepper flakes (if using), then season with salt and pepper.
3. Place in oven and roast 10 minutes. Using a spatula, turn squash in pan. Continue roasting, turning every 7-10 minutes until both sides of the squash pieces are golden brown and the texture is creamy to the teeth all the way through, about 25-30 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper as needed, and serve.
Roasted Acorn Squash with Grana Cheese
This versatile recipe works with any number of squash—Butternut, Delicata, Acorn or Sweet Dumpling.
Ingredients:
2 Acorn squash, peeled and cut into ¼-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 cup grated Grana-style cheese
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Toss the squash with olive oil and kosher salt to taste. Place the squash in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Combine the breadcrumbs, cheese, nutmeg, pepper, salt, garlic and thyme in a bowl. Stir to mix well. Sprinkle mixture all over the squash and roast until tender, about 40 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm or at room temperature.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Wonderful tossed in salads, or just for snacking, these seeds are both salty and a little sweet!
Ingredients:
Seeds from 1 Winter Density or other pie pumpkin
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2-3 teaspoons sea salt
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 300°.
2. Using a spoon, scrape the pulp and seeds out of your pumpkin into a bowl. Separate the seeds from the stringy pulp, rinse the seeds in a colander under cold water, then shake dry. (Don’t blot with paper towels; the seeds will stick.)
3. Spread the seeds in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet and roast 30 minutes to dry them out.
4. Toss the seeds with olive oil and brown sugar and a generous sprinkling of sea salt. Return to the oven and bake until crisp and golden, about 20 more minutes.
Herb-Roasted Winter Squash
We turn to this simple method time and time again—the combination of sage, thyme and garlic infuses any variety of squash with a rich, wonderful flavor.
Ingredients:
1 Acorn, Delicata, Kabocha or other squash of your choice
4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
½ cup chopped yellow onion
2-3 tablespoons fresh sage
2-3 tablespoons fresh thyme
Olive oil
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 375°. Cut squash in half and scoop out the seeds.
2. Fill cavity of both halves with garlic, onion, fresh sage and thyme, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Place herb-filled halves face down on a lightly oiled baking dish and bake until done (the squash should be fork-tender).
Italian Sausage Pasta with Roasted Squash & Greens
Cozy, comforting and full of flavorful squash and greens, this pasta hits all the right notes.
Ingredients:
1 winter squash of your choice, peeled, seeded, and cut into bite-sized chunks
1 Walla Walla sweet onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 bunch Lacinato kale, leaves pulled from tough stems and torn into small pieces
8-10 fresh sage leaves, torn
5 large garlic cloves, coarse chopped
â…“ cup olive oil
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tight-packed tablespoon brown sugar
1 pound imported pasta, such as this week’s orecchiette
1 pound Italian sausage
½ cup heavy cream
¾ cup Grana-style cheese, grated
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
Method:
1. Slip a large shallow sheet pan into the oven and preheat it to 450°. Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot. In a big bowl, toss together the first eight ingredients, seasoning the vegetable mix generously with salt and pepper.
2. Pull out the oven rack holding the sheet pan. Taking care not to burn yourself, turn the vegetables onto the hot sheet pan and spread it out. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the squash is tender, turning the vegetables two or three times during roasting. Once the squash is tender, turn on the broiler to caramelize it. Watch the vegetables closely, you want crusty brown edges on the squash and wilted, almost crisp greens.
3. While the squash is cooking, cook the sausage in a skillet until no longer pink on the inside, crumbling into bite-size pieces as it cooks. Set aside. At the same time, drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook it until tender, but with some firmness to the bite. Drain in a colander.
4. Scrape the roasted vegetables and sausage into a serving bowl. Add the hot pasta, and the heavy cream. Toss together, and add salt and pepper to taste. Add grated Grana-style cheese and an additional and serve hot.