Gorgeous Gourds

Winter squash are as pleasing to look at as they are to eat. Their unusual shapes and gorgeous fall colors grace any kitchen counter or tabletop for days, or even weeks, before they are cooked and enjoyed in an endless variety of dishes.

All winter squash – actually available from early fall through the winter – are the fruit of various members of the gourd family. While some are thin-skinned like their summer cousins, most have hard, thick skins and seeds and deep yellow or orange colored flesh. Varieties include acorn, butternut, delicata, kabocha, Red Kuri, and spaghetti squash, and each have their best uses (see “Winter Squash Varieties” for details).

Whether pretty and dainty or bumpy and bulbous, winter squash are a delicious way to get much-needed vitamins in winter. They are a good source of iron, riboflavin, and vitamins A and C.

Versatile and easy-to-prepare, winter squash can be baked (roasted), steamed, sautéed, boiled, or even microwaved. Baking, or roasting, is often the preferred method for its simplicity and the way it seems to bring out the sweetness of the flesh. When cooking, most hard-skinned winter squash are baked with the skin on then peeled or scooped, while thin-skinned squash are peeled first.

While halved winter squash are excellent for filled, baked dishes, they have many other uses. Their roasted flesh, when firm, can be added to soups, sauces and stir fry. Tender pureed squash makes a silky and satisfying base for soup.

The sweet, mellow flavor of cooked squash can also benefit from a variety of sauces, glazes and toppings. Spaghetti squash, delightful when just scooped from its skin and lightly buttered, can also be served with a vast number of sauces, similar to pasta.

When choosing a winter squash, make sure to pick it up; one that feels heavy for its size will have moist flesh. Look for skin that is mostly unblemished and free of mold, and inspect the stem area (if still attached) for mold as well. If using a pumpkin for cooking, always look for a small one that will have tender flesh.