Winter squash is a great storage crop, but if you're wondering what to do with winter squash, this roundup of winter squash recipes has you covered. Discover delicious ways to use butternut, acorn, and spaghetti squash in soups, salads, main dishes, and sides. Make the most of your harvest with these easy and flavorful ideas.
What to do with winter squash
Whether you grow winter squash in your backyard garden or you buy your favorite varieties at the local farmers market, winter squash is one of the best storage crops, keeping well in a cool pantry or root cellar.
But eventually you need to use up that bounty. If you still have a few squash on your shelves, these winter squash recipes will inspire you to serve them in delicious ways your family will love.
Don't let your squash go to waste!
Winter squash vs summer squash
Winter squash is so named because these vegetables keep well through the winter when stored properly.
While summer squash are usually eaten when immature, winter squashes are harvested and eaten when the seeds have matured and the rind is hard.
Winter squash varieties are usually sweeter, firmer and denser than summer squashes.
The most common are pumpkins, butternut and acorn squashes, but there are many others to be found at farmers markets or to grow in your own garden.
Low in both fat and calories, winter squash is a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates.
They also contain A, B and C vitamins, potassium, manganese, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, copper, tryptophan, iron and beta-carotene. As a general rule, the darker the squash's skin is, the more beta-carotene the squash contains.
If you have a bumper crop of squashes to store and eat, or you found a wide variety of them at the farmers market, you'll be inspired by these winter squash recipes.
Winter squash recipes
Roasted Chicken with Pears and Butternut Squash
This delicious roasted chicken with pears and butternut squash meal from My Chef's Apron is created with wholesome ingredients, made in one large baking dish or cast-iron skillet. The combination of pears and butternut squash adds a subtle sweetness to the tender, seasoned chicken.
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Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash
This simple roasted quinoa-stuffed acorn squash from Sheri Silver is filled with quinoa, chick peas, dried cherries and orange zest. So colorful and so delicious!
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Italian Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Another delicious stuffed squash is this Italian Stuffed Spaghetti Squash from Simple and Fraiche. The unique texture of spaghetti squash lends a real twist to this dish.
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Roasted Delicata Squash
A drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkling of fresh herbs give this Roasted Delicata Squash a burst of sweet and savory flavors. It's super easy to make and comes together in a few steps. The best part about cooking delicata squash is that you don't have to remove the skin - the delicate skin is edible and delicious.
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Acorn Squash Salad with Maple Dressing
Squash in a salad? Yes! This acorn squash salad with maple dressing is sweet, a little salty, fresh, tart, light, creamy and delicious. The simple, delicious toppings allow the flavors to dominate and shine.
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Butternut Squash Lasagna
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
This awesome roasted butternut squash soup is creamy and decadent, yet it's super healthy, low carb, and deceptively filling. Elaina from The Rising Spoon advices taking the easy, extra step of cubing and roasting the squash gives it so much more flavor.
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Acorn Squash and Wild Rice Casserole
This wonderful acorn squash and wild rice casserole is a modern take on comfort food from Home Work. The roasted acorn squash is full of flavor and pairs wonderfully with the wild rice blend.
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Orange and Pecan Acorn Squash
A little bit sweet, a bit savory, a bit zesty - this orange pecan acorn squash dish from The Gingered Whisk is sure to be a hit. The orange, cinnamon, brown sugar and pecans pair perfectly with the squash.
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Pumpkin Pie Without Evaporated Milk
If, like millions of other cooks, your favorite way to use pumpkin is in pumpkin pie, you might like to know that you don't have to use evaporated milk in your pie recipe! I've often stood in front of the pantry, realizing I did not have a can of evaporated milk after I've already started mixing up the ingredients. Learn about the many possible substitutions for evaporated milk.
Find out what you can use instead in this article: How to Make Pumpkin Pie Without Evaporated Milk.
Moist and Delicious Pumpkin Bread from Scratch
I must admit that my favorite use of winter squash is to make my mom's pumpkin bread recipe. Mom's recipe is world-famous - you'll find out why in this post.
Tips on harvesting and preserving winter squash
Tips for Preserving Pumpkins
Rhonda at The Farmer's Lamp shares her tips for preserving pumpkin in a variety of ways, including dehydrating, canning and freezing.
How to Freeze an Acorn Squash
Unlike most winter squash varieties, acorn squash isn't cured, and it has the shortest storage life as a result: just four weeks or so. Acorn squash should be stored at temperatures less than 55°F.
Freezing seems to be the best way to preserve acorn squash, and you'll find my directions for that right here - freezing acorn squash - plus how to save the seeds to plant next year.
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Curing and Storing Butternut Squash
Jes at Strangers and Pilgrims' tips on how to harvest and preserve butternut squash will ensure you always have a few in your pantry to use on these delicious recipes!
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How to Make Pumpkin Puree
This is how I preserve pumpkins most often (unless you count making pumpkin bread as a form of preserving). In November I can usually find pumpkins on sale quite cheap, and I turn them all into pumpkin puree.
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You'll find more ideas for preserving vegetables, fruits and more here.
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You might also enjoy:
10 Ways to Enjoy Summer Squash
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