How to Cook Fall Squash: Recipes and Tips for Enjoying Pumpkin, Butternut Squash, and Pumpkin
Pumpkin, butternut squash, pumpkin Gourmet autumn 🥗 Easy & healthy recipes Anti-waste tips
Why cook autumn squash?
Autumn is the big return of squash! Sweet pumpkin, soft and velvety butternut squash, generous pumpkin... These vegetables allow you to vary the flavors, enjoy healthy meals and bring a real touch of the season to your plates. They are low in calories, rich in fiber, vitamins (A, C, E), minerals and antioxidants. Their texture lends itself to a thousand preparations: in soup, puree, gratin or even desserts. 🥗
Squash also allows you to cook smart: it keeps for a long time and adapts to all styles, from rustic to more refined. Want to equip yourself for the season? An air fryer makes it super easy to cook roasted butternut squash cubes, and for express veloutés, the blender is your best ally!
Gourmet ideas and uses to enhance squash
Comforting velouté
A classic! Sauté onion and garlic, add cubed squash, cover with broth, simmer, then blend for a long time. Add a touch of plant-based cream or coconut milk for a creamy texture. For a wow effect, sprinkle with toasted seeds or grated cheese just before serving.
Butternut and cheese gratin
Make a delicious gratin with butternut squash slices, cream, a little nutmeg, and a melted cheese (Comté or goat cheese). Bake in the oven until golden brown. Perfect for a friendly dinner party or as a side dish with meat or cereals.
Air fryer roasted cubes 🔥
Dice your squash, season with a drizzle of olive oil, herbs, and spices (curry, paprika, cumin), then cook them in an air fryer for an effortless, crispy-melt-on texture! A must-have for a salad, cereal, or even to slip into an autumn bowl.
Anti-waste stuffed squash
Empty a small pumpkin or squash, fill it with leftover rice, vegetables, cheese, nuts, etc. Bake it. It's super simple, zero waste, and always looks great on the table!
Sweet squash puree
After steaming or baking, mash the flesh with a little butter or olive oil, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Ideal as a side dish or even to garnish a savory tart.
Pumpkin Dessert
Butternut squash flesh can also be used in desserts: soft cakes, pancakes, flans, or even cheesecake. It adds sweetness and softness, while replacing some of the sugar or fat in the recipe.
Tips for Successfully Cooking and Preparing Squash
Peel without hassle 🥄
For squash with hard skin, such as butternut squash, cut them into large pieces and steam or microwave them for a few minutes: the skin comes off much more easily! Pumpkins, on the other hand, are cooked with the skin on (once thoroughly washed).
Keep longer
Store your whole squash in a cool, dry, dark place (pantry, garage). Once opened, wrap them up and keep them in the refrigerator. Squash cubes freeze very well, raw or cooked, for quick soup creations.
Optimize cooking
Oven cooking concentrates flavors and creates a tender texture. Steaming or boiling is faster but produces a more tender result. For a roasted and crispy texture, use an air fryer or a hot oven with a drizzle of oil.
Use the seeds
Don't throw away seeds! Wash them, dry them, then toast them in the oven with a little salt, paprika, or herbs. A crunchy, waste-free snack to nibble on as an aperitif or add to a salad.
Save time with a blender
For an ultra-smooth soup, simply add your cooked vegetables to a high-powered blender with a little broth and blend. No lumps, perfect texture!
Varied recipes all season long
Need inspiration? Find new ideas every week on Recipes of the Week so you never get tired of squash, even in the fall!
Budget, purchase & choice of autumn squash
Good news: fall squash remains economical, especially during peak season (September to February). Choose local or organic produce to support market gardeners and enjoy the flavorful flesh. A pumpkin, a butternut squash, or a squash can be stored for several weeks, which avoids waste.
For large gatherings, nothing is more festive than a large roasted squash on the barbecue or in the oven : serve it in slices with a drizzle of olive oil and spices, guaranteed success! If you want to vary the pleasures, know that squash goes just as well with legumes as grains or cheese. And as for utensils, vegetable cutters, blenders and air fryers quickly become essential to save time (and avoid the hassle of cutting or endless cooking!).
Fall Squash FAQ
Do you always have to peel squash?
No! Pumpkin and some small squashes should be eaten with their skin on, once thoroughly washed. For squashes with thick skin (butternut, pumpkin), it's best to peel them, especially if you're using a blender or for smooth preparations.
How to prevent the mash from being too watery?
Preferably cook in the oven (less water) or let the cooked flesh drain well before mashing. Varieties with dense flesh (such as butternut squash or pumpkin) give much better results.
Can you freeze squash?
Yes, raw cubes or cooked meat freeze very well. Be careful, the texture becomes softer after thawing: perfect for soups or quick purées but less so for roasting.
What to combine squash with in cooking?
They love spices (curry, nutmeg, cinnamon), melted cheeses, nuts, grains, fresh herbs, and even honey or maple syrup for a sweet and savory note.
Where can I find other recipe ideas?
The Neary blog offers plenty of seasonal inspiration. Head to the Recipes of the Week page to try new combinations and surprise your loved ones!
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