A winter squash, butternut squash belongs to the
Cucurbitaceae family and comes in varied shapes, sizes and colors. Rich in nutrition, and easy to come by, butternut squash can be used in a variety of dishes. They easily blend in with other vegetables and their distinct sweet and nutty flavor, enhance the taste of meals. Following are a few easy recipes you can try at home.
Butternut Squash Soup
Recipe 1
Ingredients:
- Butternut squash, 4 cups
- Chicken stock, 3 cups
- Sliced onion, 1
- Cream, ¼ cup
- Cooking oil, 2 tbsp
- Nutmeg, ¼ tsp
- Parsley, 2 tbsp
- Salt and pepper, to taste
In a preheated oven, dry roast the butternut squash for half an hour at 350 degrees F. Set aside. In a saucepan, heat oil, saute onion until tender and pink. Add squash, stir it, pour in the chicken stock and season it with salt and pepper. Bring it to a boil, reduce heat, simmer covered until squash is tender. Cool down the squash consistency. In a blender, puree cooled squash mixture, until smooth with no lumps. Return to saucepan and to heat. Spoon in soup plates, add cream and garnish with parsley. Serve hot.
Recipe 2
Ingredients:
- De-seeded, chopped butternut squash, 1
- Cored and chopped, small green apple, 1
- Vegetable broth, 3 cups
- Chopped carrot, 1
- Chopped celery, 1 stalk
- Sliced onion, 1
- Butter, 1 tbsp
- Spices ( nutmeg and cinnamon), ¼ tsp
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Heat butter in a saucepan, add onions, stir until translucent, then add carrots and celery. Cook until soft, add squash and apple, stir all. Add vegetable broth, bring it to a boil and simmer until vegetables are all cooked. Cool down and puree. Add spices and seasoning, and serve hot.
Baked Butternut Squash
Recipe 1
Ingredients:
- Chopped butternut squash, 1½ ounces
- Cream cheese, 10 ounces
- Shredded Parmesan cheese, 1 cup
- Crushed wheat flakes, ½ cup
- Milk, 2½ cups
- Ground cinnamon and nutmeg, ¼ tsp
Heat milk in a saucepan, add butternut squash and simmer until squash is cooked tender. Spoon in cream and Parmesan cheese with the spices and stir to blend well until cheese has melted. Pour it in a baking dish and bake in a preheated oven to 350 degrees F. Top with crushed wheat flakes and bake until crust is golden brown.
Recipe 2
Ingredients:
- Cubed butter, 2 cups
- Chopped onion, ½ cup
- Egg, 1
- Mayonnaise, ½ cup
- Grated cheese, 3 tbsp
- Butter, 1 tbsp
- Crushed crackers, 6-8
- Salt and pepper, to taste
In a large saucepan, in boiling water, cook butternut squash until cooked. Drain, mash squash and set aside. Mix together onion, mayonnaise, egg, salt and pepper, and add it to squash. Spoon mixture in a greased baking pan, top with crushed crackers and grated cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F until top is golden brown.
Healthy Butternut Squash
Ingredients:
- Thinly sliced butternut squash, 1
- Thinly sliced apple, 1
- Thinly sliced red onion, 1
- Vegetable oil, 2 tbsp
- Apple juice, ½ cup
- Honey, 2 tbsp
- Silvered almonds, ¼ cup
In a bowl, whisk together apple juice, honey and oil. Pour it over a mix of squash, apples and onions in a baking dish. Mix all. Top with almonds and cover with foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F until all vegetables are tender.
These recipes incorporate the goodness of squash with other vegetables and fruits as well. Squash taste wonderful in soups or as baked goodies!
