🎃 Roasted Squash with Skin: Quick and Easy Cooking – Neary

Why keep the skin of the squash when cooking?

Keeping the squash skin on is the secret to saving time in the kitchen and enjoying a melt-in-the-mouth texture after cooking 🍽️. Not only do you avoid the chore of peeling (long live simplicity!), but you also retain a maximum of nutrients and fiber. The skin of some squashes, once cooked, is as tasty as the flesh: it adds a rustic touch and a “healthy” touch to your dishes.

Most thin-skinned varieties, like pumpkin or butternut squash , are ideal for this technique. Plus, the skin protects the flesh during cooking, keeping the squash tender and moist throughout without drying out. You can use it cubed, quartered, or even whole in many fall recipes 🍁.

Which varieties of squash can be cooked with the skin on?

• 🥔 Pumpkin : thin and soft skin, easy to eat after cooking. Perfect for mashed potatoes or roasted slices.
• 🍠 Butternut : the skin softens well when cooked, especially if you opt for fairly thin pieces or if you use an air fryer .
• 🧡 Some butternut squash (small local varieties): to be tested, depending on the thickness of the skin.
• ⚠️ Spaghetti squash and pumpkin : thicker skin, difficult to appreciate, better to remove it after cooking if necessary.

📝 Tip: Choose organic or local squash to eat the skin without fear of chemical residue.

How to easily cook squash with the skin on?

1. Wash and scrub the squash under water (use a vegetable brush 🧽).
2. Cut it in half , remove the seeds with a spoon – no need to peel!
3. Cut into quarters or cubes according to the recipe.
4. Choose your preferred cooking:
   • 🔥 In the oven : Arrange the pieces on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper and herbs. Bake at 190°C until the flesh is tender and the skin melts (about 30–40 min).
   • 💨 Air fryer : For ultra-fast and crispy cooking, place the cubes with the skin in the basket, a little oil, start for 15–20 min ( see our comparison ).
   • 💧 Steam : Ideal for soup or puree. The skin becomes very tender, you can blend everything easily.
5. Enjoy as is (the skin melts in your mouth) or blend the whole squash for soups and veloutés 🥣.

Tips for a perfect squash, skin included!

• 🌿 Add spices (curry, paprika, cumin) or fresh herbs to enhance the flavor of the skin.
• 🧀 Sprinkle with grated cheese if you want to gratinate the skin in a delicious way.
• 🥄 For kids, blend the whole squash: they won't even notice the skin in the soup!
• 🥗 Serve in a warm salad, the skin gives a pleasant texture and prevents the pieces from falling apart.
• 🍽️ For a rustic dish, bake your squash wedges with the skin on, accompanied by potatoes or other root vegetables.
• 💡 Also test the whole cooking: pierce the squash with a fork and put it in the oven, then cut and serve with a spoon, skin included.

FAQ – Everything you need to know about cooking squash with the skin on