squash the winter blues away

with a killer dinner side dish, delicata squash.


i love squash. fix it any way you please, i'm happy to eat it. but most squash recipes take FOREVER to fix. i have a quick and really tasty way to enjoy delicata squash. i fixed it this way for dinner tonight at work, and it is simple as can be.

ingredients:
delicata squash (but i've done this with sweet dumpling, and carnival squash as well)
salt and pepper
OR
butter and something sweet: brown sugar, or my favorite, Perry Farms pumpkin blossom honey

technique:
pierce the squash several times into the center of the squash
toss into the microwave and nuke for 6 to 7 minutes.

WARNING: failure to poke enough holes in the squash to allow the steam and pressure to escape may cause it to explode like a hand grenade in your microwave
here's where location can dictate the next step.

at work, i pull the squash out, and let it sit for about 5 minutes. then i slice it in half (very much easier to do after it's been nuked. they are hard as rocks before cooking, and need a band saw, sawzall, or a hammer and chisel to cut when raw).
scoop out the guts and seeds, salt and pepper, and eat right out of the shell. yummm.

at home, when the microwave dings telling you that it's done, turn on the broiler. let the squash sit until the broiler light indicates it's at temperature. this allows the squash to continue cooking/steaming itself. prepare the squash as above, except put it on a broiling pan, skin side down. slather on the butter and brown sugar/honey/apricot jam/whatever strikes your fancy, and pop under the broiler just long enough to melt the butter and caramelize, a couple of minutes at the very most.

plate, and enjoy.

of all the squashes, delicata is my favorite. the texture, the flavor, and the ease of cooking all add up to a really good side dish.