Serves: 4

• Ingredients

4 halved, seeded Acorn Squash
1 1/2 cups diced Celery
2 peeled, diced Granny Smith Apples
10 oz diced day-old Bread (crusts removed)
1/2 cup chopped Parsley
1/3 cup Vegetable Stock
3 tbsp Unsalted Butter
2 halved, sliced Leeks, white part
2 tsp fine chopped Thyme
7 oz cooked Chestnuts
1/3 cup Heavy Cream
3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper

• preparation

Preheat the oven at 350 F and brush the cut sides of each squash using olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
Place cut sides of squash down on two baking sheets. Roast 25 minutes or until tender.
Melt butter and olive oil in a skillet. Add celery with leeks, salt and pepper, cooking on medium heat for about eight minutes, stirring now and then.
Add apples and thyme, cooking on medium high about five minutes, or until until the apples begin to soften.
Scrape the mixture into a bowl. Work in bread, parsley, stock, chestnuts, and cream, tossing to mix well; salt and pepper.
Turn the squash so cut sides face up. Fill the cavities with stuffing and bake 20 minutes, or until tender and golden brown.

Serves: 6

It can be prepared ahead, then baked just before ready to serve.
Swiss chard can be used as a substitute for spinach as it is in season with spaghetti squash. Separate the green leaves from the white. Dice the white stems and steam with green leaves.

• Ingredients

6 cups cooked spaghetti squash (from about 1 large squash)
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup minced onion
3 Tbsp flour
2 cups 2% or skim milk
1 cup fat free chicken broth (vegetable broth for vegetarian)
3 Tbsp tomato salsa
4 oz reduced fat cheddar cheese
salt and pepper, to taste
4 cups (about 4 oz) baby spinach, steamed for 3 minutes
1/4 cup grated parmesan

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
Cut the squash in half lengthwise; remove and discard seeds. Place squash on a baking sheet. Bake until tender, about 1 hour. Separate the strands of squash with a fork and place in a medium bowl; discard shells. Maintain the oven temperature.

Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and cook about 2 minutes. Stir in flour. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring continually 3 - 4 minutes.
Add milk and chicken broth and continue whisking, raising heat to medium-high until it comes to a boil and becomes smooth and thick, about 2 minutes stirring; season with salt and pepper.
Once it becomes thick, remove from heat, add cheddar cheese and mix well until cheese is melted. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, add cooked spaghetti squash and chopped baby spinach, pour into a baking dish and sprinkle with tomato salsa and Parmesan cheese on top. Bake until bubbly and golden 25 to 30 minutes.

Serves: 6

This would also be good made with sugar pumpkins.

• Ingredients

SQUASH PURÉE AND STOCK
1 Hubbard squash, 1 1/2 lbs (680 g), washed with skin on
5 cups (1.25 L) water
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

RISOTTO
1 cup (250 mL) thinly sliced onion
3 tbsp (45 mL) unsalted butter, divided
1 cup (250 mL) coarsely grated zucchini
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) arborio rice
1/2 cup (125 mL) dry white wine
1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) salt
1/2 tsp (2 mL) freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup (125 mL) grated Pecorino Romano cheese

TOPPING
1/4 cup (60 mL) light olive oil
4 large sage leaves plus more to garnish
1/2 cup (125 mL) seasoned panko bread crumbs

• preparation

1. For the squash purée and stock, cut squash in quarters and scoop out seeds. Place in a large pot with water and salt. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer until squash is soft, about 10 minutes. Remove squash with a slotted spoon and place, skin-on, in a blender. Purée until creamy. Reserve 3 cups (750 mL) stock and keep hot. Remaining stock can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.

2. Preheat oven to 350°F`(177°C).

3. In a large Dutch oven with a lid, add onions, 1 tbsp (15 mL) unsalted butter, grated zucchini, rice, wine, 2 cups (500 mL) squash purée and 3 cups (750 mL) squash stock. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cover with lid and bake until rice is tender, 45 to 50 minutes.

4. While risotto is baking, make topping. In a small saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add sage leaves and fry until crisp, about 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towel. Add panko and cook, stirring, until golden, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Finely crush four sage leaves and mix into panko crumbs.

5. Remove risotto from oven and stir well. Stir in remaining 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter and cheese. It should have a creamy consistency and will start to thicken as it sits, covered, about 5 to 7 minutes.

6. Plate risotto and top with panko topping. Garnish with extra crispy sage leaves, if using.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 1/4 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cut into 1-inch cubes
5 to 6 cups vegetable broth
1 Gala apple, peeled, cored, diced
1/2 cup apple juice
light sour cream
Chopped fresh chives

• preparation

Melt butter in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and nutmeg; sauté until onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add squash, 4 1/4 cups broth, apple, and apple juice. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer uncovered until squash and apple are tender, about 30 minutes.
Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth. Return soup to pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring soup to simmer, thinning with more broth if desired. Ladle soup into bowls.
Garnish with sour cream and chives.

Serves: 4

A wonderful recipe for a Fall or winter season showing the colors of this dish.
Prep and cook time are for flatbread only. If you're making the caramelized onions and butternut squash on the same day you're making the flatbread, allow about an extra hour.

• Ingredients

Roasted Butternut Squash
1 butternut squash cut into 1/2-inch chunks
2 tbsp olive oil
salt + pepper to taste
Caramelized Onions
2 tbsp olive oil
2 large onions halved & thinly sliced
salt + pepper to taste

1 prepared pizza crust
1/2 cup Fontina or Italian blend cheese shredded
2 tsp olive oil
2 tbsp sage leaves cut into ribbons
2 tbsp toasted walnuts chopped (optional)

• preparation

Roasted Butternut Squash
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Spread squash onto a rimmed baking sheet; drizzle sheet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat.
Bake for 45–50 minutes or until tender.
Caramelized Onions
Heat oil in a large skillet over low heat.
Add onions and a pinch of salt. Cook until completely caramelized, stirring occasionally at first and more often as onions begin to brown, about 30 to 40 minutes.
Season with freshly ground pepper.
Preheat oven to temperature indicated on pizza crust package.
Top crust with caramelized onions, cheese, and squash.
Bake for time on package or until squash is heated through and cheese has melted.
While pizza is baking, heat oil in small skillet over medium high heat. Add sage leaves and saute, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes or until leaves are crispy, but still green.
Sprinkle sage leaves and walnuts on pizza before serving.

Serves: 8

The kabocha squash-bumpy, squat, and unseasonably green has a deeply flavored meat and a more fiery orange than that of its famous cousin. The soup can be made 3 days ahead and chilled, covered.

• Ingredients

1 (4 pound) kabocha squash, halved and seeded
1 cup vegetable oil
20 whole fresh sage leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
1/4 pound sliced pancetta, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
3 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

• preparation

Roast squash:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Roast squash, cut sides down, in an oiled roasting pan in oven until tender, about 1 hour. Cool and scrape flesh from skin.

Fry sage leaves while squash roasts:
Heat vegetable oil in a deep small saucepan until it registers 365 F on a deep fat thermometer. Fry sage leaves in 3 batches until crisp, 3 to 5 seconds. Transfer leaves with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.

Cook pancetta and make soup:
Cook pancetta in a 4 quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring, until browned. Transfer pancetta with slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
Add olive oil to pancetta fat remaining in pot, then cook onion, stirring, until softened. Stir in garlic and chopped sage and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add squash, broth, and water and simmer 20 minutes to blend flavors. Purée soup in a blender, transferring to a bowl.
Return soup to pot and reheat. If necessary, thin to desired consistency with water.
Stir in vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Serve sprinkled with pancetta and fried sage leaves.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 (3 pound) butternut squash
1/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
pinch of pepper

• preparation

Peel and cut squash into cubes. In large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook for 20 minutes or until tender.
Drain and return to pot. Mash with butter, salt and pepper.

Serves: 6

Wonderful, hearty soup.
a recipe inspired by finecooking.com

• Ingredients

6 oz. orrechiette or small shells, or other small pasta
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2-1/2 cups diced (1/2 to 3/4 inch) butternut squash
2 Tbs. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 Tbs. chopped fresh sage
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 Tbs. tomato paste
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 cups vegetable broth
1 15-oz. can kidney beans (white or red), or Roman beans, rinsed and drained (1-3/4 cups)
1 14-oz. can crushed peeled tomatoes with juice
Freshly ground black pepper

For the pesto:
1 packed cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp coarsely chopped fresh sage
1 medium clove garlic, chopped
1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano, coarsely grated; more, finely grated, for serving
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• preparation

Make the soup
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and cook the pasta according to package directions until not quite al dente.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven or other heavy-duty pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and 1/4 tsp. salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the squash and stir to coat with the oil. Add the parsley, sage, garlic, and pepper flakes, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until it is evenly distributed and looks slightly darker, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until almost evaporated, about 1 minute. Add the broth, beans, and tomatoes. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot, and simmer until the squash is barely tender, 13 to 15 minutes. Add the pasta and continue simmering until the squash and pasta are tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Make the pesto and serve
Put the parsley, sage, garlic, and coarsely grated cheese in a food processor. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper and drizzle with the oil. Pulse until finely chopped, adding more oil if necessary to give it consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and transfer to a bowl.
Thin the soup with water if desired and add 1/4 tsp. pepper. Season to taste with more salt and pepper. Divide among soup bowls and spoon 1 to 2 Tbsp pesto on top of each serving. Pass the finely grated cheese at the table.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 lb butternut squash, halved, seeded, and cut into wedges
3.5 oz flour
1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
12 sage leaves
2 oz raw almonds
1 garlic clove
1 tsp nutritional yeast (yeast flakes)
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 oz oil-packed semi-dried or sun-dried tomatoes, drained, patted dry, and finely chopped
1 pinch each of salt and black pepper

• preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas mark 6. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Spread the pumpkin over the prepared pan. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for about 20 minutes more, until the pumpkin is tender.
3. Remove from the oven and let cool, then scoop the flesh of the pumpkin into a bowl and mash it with a potato ricer.
4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
5. Add the flour, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt to the bowl with the pumpkin and stir briefly to combine.
6. On a lightly floured surface, roll the mixture into long cylinders around 2cm (¾in) in diameter, then cut the cylinders into 3cm-long (1¼in) gnocchi.
7. In a food processor, combine the sage, almonds, garlic, nutritional yeast, olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper, and process until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
8. Add the gnocchi to the boiling water and cook until they start to float, then cook for 1 minute more. Drain the gnocchi and return them to the pot.
9. Toss the gnocchi with the sage pesto, add the tomatoes and serve.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1qt vegetable broth
3 leaves bay leaf
2 cups chopped butternut squash
2 cups diced canned tomatoes
1/2 cup quinoa
1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
1 tbsp thyme
1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
2 cups chopped kale, ribs and stems removed

• preparation

In large saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion, carrots, celery stalk, salt and pepper and cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and red wine vinegar; cook 1 minute.
Stir in broth and bay leaves, scraping any brown bits from the bottom of the pan and bring to a boil. Stir in the squash, tomatoes, quinoa, rosemary and thyme. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes or until quinoa is soft.
Add chickpeas and kale and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Serve warm with a drizzle of olive oil.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 (2 pound) acorn squash
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
pinch of pepper

• preparation

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Wash and cut squash crosswise into 1/2 inch thick slices; remove seeds. Place on rimmed baking sheet.
Combine the olive oil, salt, thyme and pepper; brush over squash.
Roast for 25 minutes or until tender.

Serves: 4

Squash can be prepared in advance.

• Ingredients

1 small spaghetti squash
20 large basil leaves
2 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
4 tbsp Parmigiano-Reggiano
salt and fresh pepper
8 cherry tomatoes, diced

• preparation

Cut squash in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds and fibers. Place in a microwave safe dish and cover. Microwave 8-9 minutes. Can also be baked at 350 degrees for one hour. When done, scoop out flesh with a fork into a large bowl.

In an electric blender combine basil, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, salt a pepper and puree until smooth.

Combine pesto with 4 cups spaghetti squash (save any remaining squash for another recipe). Add tomatoes and season with additional salt and pepper. Serve.

Serves: 5

spaghetti squash can be micro waved.

• Ingredients

1 spaghetti squash (2-1/2 lb/1.25 kg)
1/2 tsp (2 mL) each salt and pepper
4 cups (1 L) grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
1 tbsp (15 mL) red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp (1 mL) hot pepper flakes
1 can (19 oz/540 mL) white kidney beans or navy beans, drained and rinsed
3 tbsp (45 mL) chopped fresh parsley

• preparation

Halve and seed squash. Bake, cut side down, on greased baking sheet in 400°F (200°C) oven until flesh is tender when pierced, about 1 hour. Using fork, scrape strands into bowl; stir in half each of the salt and pepper. Keep warm.

Meanwhile, in 13- x 9-inch (3 L) glass baking dish, toss together tomatoes, garlic, oil, vinegar, hot pepper flakes and remaining salt and pepper. Roast in 400°F (200°C) oven for 30 minutes.

Stir in beans and parsley; continue baking until beans are heated through and tomatoes are shrivelled, about 10 minutes. Mound squash on platter; spoon tomato mixture over top.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

7 cups vegetable broth
1/2 pound butternut squash, cut into cubes (1 2/3 cups)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup minced shallots
1 3/4 cups arborio rice
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup dry white wine
3 cups chopped swiss chard leaves
3/4 cup chopped canned plum tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup grated soy Parmesan

• preparation

Bring broth to boil.
Drop squash into boiling broth, reduce heat and simmer until squash is tender, but still firm.
Remove squash with slotted spoon. Reduce heat and let broth simmer.
In deep skillet, combine oil and shallots, stir to cook without browning. Add rice and salt. Stir until rice is coated with oil.
Add wine and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring, until rice absorbs wine.
Ladle 1/2 cup of broth into skillet and stir until absorbed. Continue with remaining broth, adding 1/2 cup at a time and letting each addition be absorbed by rice before adding more liquid, about 25 minutes total.
Add chard and stir until wilted. Stir in squash, tomatoes, sage and parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in cheese and serve hot.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

Olive oil cooking spray
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
3 1/2 pounds zucchini or combination of zucchini and yellow crookneck squash, each no longer than 6 inches
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

• preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a small baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray. Combine garlic and bread crumbs and spread evenly on the baking sheet. Spray again with olive oil cooking spray and bake 10 to 15 minutes or until nicely browned. Stir a few times to toast evenly.
2. Meanwhile, trim ends of the squash. Holding each squash upright (vertically,) slice off the skin into long, narrow slices all around. (You should have about 1 1/4 pounds.) Cut slices into long strips, about 1/4 inch wide. Use the inside pulp for Zucchini Pancakes.
3. Put butter and oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add squash strips, raise heat to high, and toss. Cook, tossing occasionally, until squash are just beginning to soften but are still slightly crunchy, about 5 minutes.
4. Add garlic bread crumbs, and parsley, toss, and serve.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1/4 cup ( 1/2 stick) butter
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
6 cups chicken stock or broth
4 cups 1-inch pieces peeled butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
4 cups 1-inch pieces peeled acorn squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh sage
1/4 cup whipping cream
2 teaspoons sugar

Croutons
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
24 1/4-inch-thick baguette bread slices
1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1 teaspoon minced fresh sage

• preparation

For soup:
Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add broth, all squash and herbs; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until squash is very tender, about 20 minutes. Puree soup in blender. Return soup to same pot. Stir in cream and sugar; bring to simmer. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill. Rewarm over medium heat before serving.)
For croutons:
Preheat broiler. Butter 1 side of each bread slice. Arrange bread, buttered side up, on baking sheet. Broil until golden, about 1 minute. Turn over.
Sprinkle cheese, then thyme and sage over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil until cheese melts, about 1 minute.
Ladle soup into bowls. Top each with croutons and serve.