You ready? This is the time of year to start rolling out your best delicata squash recipes. If you're a long-time reader, you know how much I love this scalloped varietal. Partly because it's delicious, but also because it's a breeze to prepare. Not only can you eat the flesh, you can also go for the peel, and it's arguably the best part. You know where it gets golden and deeply toasted at the edges? Yeah, that's hard to beat. Here are seventeen delicata squash recipes to inspire, and get you through the cold months. Enjoy!
1.Parmesan Crusted Delicata Squash(Skinnytaste)Love this. If you're looking for an easy way to elevate straight delicata, simply cover with this parmesan mixture and bake.
2.Whole Wheat Pasta with Walnut-Sage Pesto and Roasted Delicata Squash(A Beautiful Plate) This recipe is a good example of using delicata squash as part of a main, a great weeknight pasta dish.
3.Roasted Delicata Squash with Apples & Sage Recipe(Love and Lemons) Here's a classic, beautiful fall main, adding apples, sage and pepitas, with a mustardy vinegar dressing to top it off.
4.Wild Rice and Kale Stuffed Delicata Squash(Delish Knowledge) Most of the recipes in this round-up have the delicata cut into half-moons, but if you are looking for a special occasion presentation, stuffed squash never fails to impress.
5.Creamy Delicata Squash Pasta With Crispy Sage(the Feed Feed) When it's the middle of winter, the days are very short and comfort food is in order, this recipe looks perfect.
6.Roasted Delicata Squash Tian(Hungry Hobby) This recipe brings the visual drama. Get out your sharpest knife, your fav prep soundtrack, and give it a go.
7.Sesame-roasted, Maple Chipotle Delicata Squash(Viktoria's Table) Another visual stunner, this is a combination I've never tried that gets a lot of credit for originality.
8.Delicata, Pomegranate and Arugula Salad(Cookie and Kate) This is a beautiful, dreamy combination of zesty arugula, creamy delicata squash and tangy-sweet pomegranate.
8.Delicata Squash Agrodolce Recipe(PureWow / Athena Calderone) A recipe originally from Athena Calderone’s stunner of a book Cook Beautiful. Delicious and reasonably easy to prepare.
9.Roasted Delicata Squash Salad with Warm Pickled Onion Dressing(Healthy Seasonal Recipes) A bold flavor combination that I've never tried before, this looks like a recipe that could be a make-ahead lunch option.
10.Roasted Delicata Squash with Chilies, Lime & Cilantro(Alexandra Cooks) This is a fresh mixture of things I love, I can imagine a version that increases the quantity of cilantro to make a full-on salad.
11.Twice Baked Delicata Squash + Crispy Za'atar Roasted Chickpeas (What's cooking good looking) Za'atar, chickpeas and delicata is a wickedly smart combination of elements I love in a recipe.
12.Delicata Squash Tacos with Black Beans(Naturally Ella) I'm surprised there aren't more delicata tacos on menus, but this is a great option for lunch or a weeknight meal.
13.Roasted Delicata Squash Salad(101 Cookbooks) Here's a classic from the archives, combining a few favorite things, miso and harissa. If you've never cooked with delicate, start here.
14.Miso Sesame Winter Squash Recipe(101 Cookbooks) Miso, tamari and maple syrup create a lovely flavor combination for this delicata dish.
15.Roasted Vegetable Orzo Recipe (101 Cookbooks) Here's a quick dish that would make a great make-ahead lunch.
16.Green Curry Porridge Recipe(101 Cookbooks) Pan-toasted brown rice, spicy herb-packed green coconut broth, punctuated with delicata and lots of green onions.
History of Delicata Squash
Delicata squash is one of my favorite seasonal vegetables. The name describes it well, the skin is delicate and regardless of being baked, fried or steamed, does not have to be removed to be eaten. Delicata is native to the Americas, but despite that long history, it apparently fell out of favor in the 1930s due to lack of availability due to crop disease. It wasn't until the early 2000s that a disease-resistant varietal became popular and today it's again relatively easy to find.
Basic Preparation of Delicata Squash
Besides being delicious, delicata is easy to prepare. Cut lengthwise, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds, slice in 1/4-inch half moons. Toss with some oil and salt and pepper, put on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees until brown. Beyond that most basic method, the following recipes should provide enough inspiration to experiment beyond the basic!
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FAQs
Although delicata is typically considered a winter squash variety, it actually belongs to the same species as summer squash varieties like cousa, zucchini, pattypan, etc. The delicata squash is sometimes referred to as a sweet potato squash or a peanut squash.
Do you eat the skin of delicata squash? ›
Delicata squash skin
The delicata is actually named for its delicate, edible skin, so there is no need for peeling here. The rind of these cylindrical, striped vegetables is similar in texture to a summer squash like zucchini, and becomes perfectly tender when cooked.
How do you store Delicata squash for the winter? ›
Directions: Storage tips: Winter Squash is best stored between 55-65 degrees, however, Delicata squash does not store quite as well as heartier varieties like Acorn and Butternut. Place in a cool dry room in your house (do not refrigerate) and it should last 3 months.
Why is delicata squash good for you? ›
Delicata squash also has a ton of potassium: One cup delivers a whopping 500mg of the mineral, which can help control your blood pressure. As with many varieties of squash, it's also full of vitamin C, which plays a role in the growth and repair of body proteins.
Can you get Delicata squash year round? ›
When is delicata squash in season? Delicata squash is available in the fall up until early winter.
What are the side effects of delicata squash? ›
Risks and Side Effects
As with any food, taking note of any unusual reaction, such as itching or swelling, is important, but there are no known problems with the delicata squash. However, because of its fiber content, too much could cause flatulence.
Can you eat too much delicata squash? ›
Toxic squash syndrome can result from continuing to eat the bitter fruit. Some of the most rampant symptoms and indicators of toxic squash syndrome include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Toxic squash syndrome can be so severe that it can cause swelling in the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and kidneys.
Can you freeze delicata squash? ›
Try to keep the temperature at about 50° to 60°. You can also freeze your cooked delicata. Just scoop the cooked squash into freezer bags, label, and place in your freezer to enjoy whenever you feel like partaking of this sweet, nutty vegetable.
How do you overwinter squash? ›
Squash stores best in spaces that are dry (humidity under 70 percent, which should be no problem in our dry Minnesota homes) and cool. The ideal temperature is 50 to 55 degrees, though I had good luck storing winter squash in an unfinished basem*nt where the temps were often in the low 60s. They also like it dark.
How to know when delicata squash is bad? ›
A squash with soft spots and is soft to the touch, is a sign that the squash has gone bad. And if it starts to leak fluid, that's a sure sign that the squash is spoiled. Likewise, if the flesh and seeds of the fruit are mushy and slimy, that's a clear sign that it shouldn't be eaten.
You'll see best storage results when you stash squash in a cool, dry spot. For most winter squash, store at 50º to 55º F with relative humidity of 60 to 70 percent. The one exception, again, is Acorn squash, which should be kept at temperatures less than 55. Higher temperatures cause the flesh to become stringy.
Does delicata squash raise blood sugar? ›
Delicata Squash Nutrition
In general, winter squash is a good source of dietary fiber, a unique type of carbohydrate that the body doesn't digest. Fiber is important for maintaining gut health and can help manage cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Which squash is the healthiest to eat? ›
1. Butternut Squash. One of the most popular varieties of squash, it can be use in so many ways. It's one of the most rich in Vitamin A, boasting about 100% of the recommended daily value per cup, in the antioxidant form of beta-carotene.
Does delicata squash make you gassy? ›
Delicata squash can cause gas as it contains high amounts of fructans and GOS, but portions up to 49g should be well tolerated (2). Delicata squash is also called sweet potato squash due to its sweet flavor.
What is the classification of delicata squash? ›
It is a cultivar of the species Cucurbita pepo, which also includes the summer squash varieties pattypan squash, zucchini, and yellow crookneck squash, as well as winter squash varieties including acorn squash, spaghetti squash, and most pumpkins used as Jack-o-lanterns. Delicata squash are easily grown.
Why is delicata squash hard to find? ›
Delicata squash was introduced in the late 1800s but fell out of favor during the Great Depression because of its susceptibility to disease, as well as low yield and short shelf life. At the end of the 20th century, a disease-resistant squash made its way into the market, and delicata has regained popularity since.
Are acorn squash and delicata the same? ›
Delicata Squash: This is actually tied with acorn squash and both are similar in texture and flavor which is why they are ranked at the top. Acorn Squash: Acorn squash is number three simply because it's such a pain to peel. The flavor and texture are fantastic.
Is delicata similar to butternut squash? ›
The delicata squash has a moist, creamy yellow flesh that tastes and smells like a blend of corn, butternut squash and sweet potato. It is often referred to as the sweet potato squash.
