“There are so many kinds of winter squash it’s hard to believe they all belong to the same family, Cucurbitaceae.”   Marian Morash

When was the last time you bought (and prepared) a variety of squash…not counting zucchini bread?

The inside of the temple was cedar, carved with gourds and open flowers. Everything was cedar; no stone was to be seen.  (1 Kings 6:18; NIV)

Winter squash is one of those hearty winter vegetables that offer variety and substance to any meal.  They come in all shapes and sizes from round and elongated, to scalloped and pear-shaped with flesh that ranges from golden-yellow to brilliant orange. Most winter squashes are vine-type plants whose fruits are harvested when fully mature. They take longer to mature than summer squash and are best harvested once the cool weather of fall sets in. They can be stored for months in a cool basement–hence the name “winter” squash. 

Winter squash have hard, thick skins. And even though there are many varieties, they do not all taste the same and they have discernible flavor and textural characteristics.  When buying winter squash, choose firm, well-shaped squash that are heavy for their size and have a hard, tough skin. Don’t choose ones that have sunken or moldy spots, or cuts or punctures in the skin.

Some common types of winter squash are:

• Acorn squash: Has ridges in the dark green skin speckled with orange patches and pale yellow-orange flesh
• Buttercup squash: Has dark green skin and is part of the Turban squash family (hard shells with turban-like shapes), has a sweet and creamy orange flesh
• Butternut squash: Shaped like a large pear, this squash has cream-colored skin, deep orange-colored flesh and a sweet flavor
• Delicata: These are smaller and oblong  in shape with yellow skin accented with green,  one of the tastier winter squashes, with creamy pulp that tastes a bit like sweet potatoes.

If you’d like to see pictures of the various varieties, feel free to peruse this site:  http://whatscookingamerica.net/squash.htm

Today’s recipe uses the more common butternut squash that is easy to find and simple to prepare.  Enjoy!

Prayer Power
Lord, we continue to thank You for the wonderful variety, color, and texture of the food that You created for us to eat.  May we never cease giving You thanksgiving!

Link of the Day
Orange Maple Glazed Squash

Blessings on you as you experiment with some new vegetables in your menu.