Acorn Squash Recipes For National Acorn Squash Day

September 7, 2021 at 7:40 am · Filed under Food Holidays, Recipes, The Nibble, Vegetables-Salads-Herbs

[1] Acorn squash, an American favorite (photo © Kim Daniels | Unsplash).

[2] Bake an acorn squash and stuff the halves with other veggies, including root vegetables. Here, Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries and sliced almonds atop brown rice (photo © Chef Eric LeVine).

[3] Here’s the recipe from Farmgirl Gourmet (photo © Farmgirl Gourmet).

[4] Butternut squash joins acorn squash as the most commonly found winter squash varieties in grocery stores (photo © Good Eggs).

September 7th is National Acorn Squash Day, celebrating one of the most popular of the winter squash varieties. Known for its compact size, the squash can be baked, mashed, even fried for tempura. Our favorite is simply baked with a drizzle of maple syrup, but we can’t resist any of the recipes below.

TYPES OF SQUASH

Acorn squash is one of 11 types of winter squash that can be found in American markets. Acorn is joined by banana, buttercup, butternut, delicata, hubbard, kabocha, pumpkin, spaghetti, sweet dumpling, and turban squash.

Winter squash has a very thick skin and can be stored for months. It needs to be cooked.

Summer squash has a thin, edible peel and a limited shelf life. It can be eaten raw or cooked.

There are three species of squash, all native to the Americas:

Curcubita pepo includes acorn, butternut, pumpkin, summer squash like yellow squash and zucchini, and others.

Curcubita moschata, represented by the cushaw, Japanese pie, large cheese pumpkins and winter crookneck squashes. These arose, like Curcubita pepo, in Mexico and Central America. Both were and are important food sources, ranking next to maize and beans.

Curcubita maxima includes Boston marrow, delicious, Hubbard, Marblehead and Turks turban. They originated near the Andes Mountains or valleys.

> The History Of Acorn Squash

> The Different Types Of Squash

ACORN VS. BUTTERNUT SQUASH

These two varieties are most commonly found in markets.

Acorn squash are so-named because of their acorn shape. They are dark green in color, often with a splash of orange, and with distinctive longitudinal ridges on their exterior. The flesh is yellow-orange.

Acorn squash are smaller than butternut squash: one to two pounds in weight, four to seven inches long).

Acorn, like the other winter squash varieties, is highly nutritious. It’s packed with the antioxidant vitamin C and other nutrients.

Cup for cup, acorn squash is the most nutritious of all the winter squash varieties—but it’s smaller and thus yields less meat*.

Butternut squash are cylindrical with a bulb at the bottom, or an hourglass shape. They are light orange in color, and bright orange inside.

Butternut squash weighs an average of 2 to 3 pounds and is 8 to 12 inches in length.

Both are similar in flavor and texture.

Substitute: Acorn squash is naturally a bit sweeter than butternut squash, which is nuttier. Either can be substituted with buttercup squash, which is generally drier.

ACORN SQUASH RECIPES & TIPS

The defined ribs and deep green color of an acorn squash make it an attractive vessel. The halves can be hollowed out after baking; the flesh mashed and the shells used as decorative bowls for the mashed squash, squash soup, rice, or stuffing. Other favorites:

Acorn Squash Salad With Maple Vinaigrette

Acorn Squash Soup With Gnocchi

An Easy Way To Peel Winter Squash

Broiled Portabella Mushrooms Stuffed With Mashed Acorn Squash

Butternut Or Acorn Squash Soup With Latin Garnishes

Different Stuffings For Acorn Squash

Fall Salad Mix & Match

Fall Salad With Brussels Sprouts & Acorn Squash

Harvest Cobb Salad

How To Cut & Peel & Cut Winter Squash

How To Scoop & Roast Winter Squash Seeds

Hummus Bowls With Acorn Squash