Cooking the first autumn squash: easy recipes and tips for enjoying pumpkin and butternut squash
Pumpkin & butternut squash Cooking tips Autumn Recipes Smart budget
That's it, the first squashes are making their big comeback on the shelves! As summer draws to a close, pumpkin and butternut squash make us crave warm colors and comforting recipes 🥗. Their soft, slightly sweet flesh is perfect for a multitude of dishes: creamy soups, melting gratins, quick stir-fries, or rustic tarts. It's the perfect time to rediscover homemade flavors and enjoy all the benefits of these seasonal vegetables.
Not sure how to prepare them? Don't panic: with a few tips, squash becomes super easy to cook, even without a lot of time or experience. Discover my tips for choosing, preparing, and enjoying pumpkin and butternut squash every day, while keeping your budget in check.
How to enjoy the first squash
The beginning of the season is the perfect time to cook squash in all its forms. Pumpkin, with its thin skin, doesn't even need to be peeled: wash it, cut it, and it's ready! Butternut squash, on the other hand, offers a velvety texture and a subtle flavor that everyone loves, even kids. In soup, purée, or roasted in the oven, these squashes adapt to all your desires.
Express soup
Cut the squash into large chunks, add an onion and a little water, then let it simmer before blending. A quick blender will give you a super-smooth soup in no time!
Autumn gratin
Place slices of butternut squash or pumpkin in a dish, add cream, grated cheese, and fresh herbs. Thirty minutes in the oven and you'll have a golden gratin that smells like autumn.
Roasted squash
Cut into cubes or half-moons, add a drizzle of olive oil, spices (paprika, cumin, nutmeg), and pop in the oven for melt-in-the-mouth, caramelized morsels. Perfect with meat or in a cold salad.
Want an even faster alternative? If you have an air fryer , squash cooks in minutes, with a melt-in-the-mouth, golden texture without adding any fat. Perfect for butternut fries or pumpkin cubes as a healthy snack!
Tips for successfully cooking squash 🥗🔥
How to easily peel butternut squash?
Butternut squash skin can be tough. To remove it without hassle, trim the ends, make a few slits, then microwave it for 30 seconds. The skin will soften and peel off like a charm.
Optimize cooking
To save time, cut the squash into even pieces. The smaller it is, the faster it cooks! Also, consider pre-cooking it in steam or water before putting it in the oven if you want a quick gratin.
Keep a beautiful color
To prevent the flesh from oxidizing, cook it quickly after cutting. A squeeze of lemon can also help keep the color bright, especially in soups or purees.
Spices & combinations
Squash loves combinations: cinnamon, nutmeg, curry, but also thyme, hazelnuts, or goat cheese. Don't hesitate to experiment with sweet and savory combinations with walnut pieces or a drizzle of honey.
Buy well & on a budget
Squash is perfect for home cooking without breaking the bank. Look to local producers or markets to find pumpkins and butternut squash at affordable prices. Family-sized squashes keep well for several weeks in a cool, dry place, so you can buy larger quantities for the season.
Looking for something different? Some stores offer baskets of various squashes, a great way to discover spaghetti squash or delicata squash. And to accompany your dishes, consider exploring Neary's barbecue and grilling collection for unique pairing ideas, or pick from this week's recipes to get off the beaten track.
Bonus tip: Homemade pumpkin seeds, rinsed and roasted in the oven, make a healthy, zero-waste snack. You can also add them to a salad or soup for a crunchy touch.
Simple recipes to try with pumpkin and butternut squash
Gourmet pumpkin and coconut velouté
Fry an onion, add the diced pumpkin, cover with coconut milk and let it simmer. Mix and add a pinch of curry: it's mild, fragrant and very creamy.
Vegetarian Stuffed Butternut
Hollow out the butternut squash, mix the flesh with quinoa, mushrooms, and fresh herbs. Fill the squash and bake it for a guaranteed wow effect at the table!
Quick Pumpkin Pancakes
Mix the grated meat with an egg, a little flour, salt, pepper, and spices. Brown in a pan for ultra-soft pancakes, perfect as a side dish or for brunch.
And if you want even more ideas, discover seasonal recipes on Neary, or make a comforting smoothie with leftover squash using your favorite blender .
Fall Squash FAQ
Do you have to peel all the squash?
No! Pumpkin should be cooked with the skin on: it becomes tender when cooked. Butternut squash, on the other hand, has a thicker, stringy skin: it is recommended to peel it (see the tip above to make this easier!).
How to store cut squash?
Wrap it in plastic wrap or an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep for three to five days. To prevent it from drying out, cover the cut parts with a little plastic wrap or a lid.
Can you freeze raw or cooked squash?
Absolutely! Cut the squash into cubes, blanch them for two to three minutes in boiling water, then let them cool before freezing. You can also freeze leftover puree or soup in ready-to-use portions.
Any ideas for using the seeds?
Rinse them, dry them well, and roast them in the oven with a little salt or spices. They're perfect as an appetizer or to garnish a salad.
Which squashes should you choose for sweet dishes?
Butternut squash and pumpkin are perfect for desserts: pies, cakes, pancakes, etc. Their sweet, rich flesh makes them ideal for original and healthy recipes.
Want to mix things up? Discover all the tips for healthy cooking all fall long, from squash to barbecue thanks to the barbecue & grill selection, or find your next smart appliance in our air fryer comparison .
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