It’s that time of year – Trader Joe’s has delicata squash on the shelves again. This versatile version of squash is easy to enjoy, and does not even need to be peeled, because the skin is so thin.
Delicata squash is most commonly baked, but can also be microwaved, sautéed, steamed, or grilled. It may be stuffed with meat or vegetable mixtures and is known for its ease of cooking and creamy flavor and texture. The seeds of the squash may also eaten after being toasted. This squash is not as rich in beta-carotene as other winter squashes, but is a good source of dietary fiber and potassium, as well as smaller amounts of vitamins C and B, magnesium, and manganese. However, its real value comes from its delicious flavor and ease of preparation.
Here is an easy recipe to get started:
Ingredients:
1 delicata squash
1 teaspoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper (more or less to taste)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Scrub the outside of the squash with a brush until very clean. Cut ends off to create two flat edges. Cut in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds.
- Cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch slices, keeping the size of the slices consistent. Rub, toss, or spray with olive oil so both sides of each slice are coated with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and spread onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer.
- Place in preheated oven and roast for 20 minutes. Flip each slice over and roast for another 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Although the taste of delicata squash is nearly perfect as is, some cooks like to add additional ingredients to shake things up, such as maple syrup, brown sugar and cinnamon, or create an agrodolce of white wine vinegar, honey, and minced habanero chili for dipping. The editors at Great Falls Dispatch prefer to slice the squash into “fingers” and grill them on the gas grill for 8 to 10 minutes, then eat them like French fries, with just salt and pepper.
An additional option is to combine roasted delicata squash with fresh cranberries for a Thanksgiving side dish. Trader Joe’s even suggests using delicata squash in a pasta salad, and that recipe may be found here.