30 Delicata Squash Recipes to Try This Fall (Because Butternut Is Old News) (2024)

FAQs

Why is delicata squash hard to find? ›

Although this squash has been around for centuries, It started gaining popularity only a few years ago. It was rare to find it on the shelves of grocery stores or in many restaurants. This is actually because delicata squash was once prone to mildew diseases in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The delicata squash has a moist, creamy yellow flesh that tastes and smells like a blend of corn, butternut squash and sweet potato. It is often referred to as the sweet potato squash. They are best eaten when steamed or baked.

If you need a good substitute for delicata squash, you can try acorn squash or kabocha squash – just note, you will need to remove the rind from both of those prior to sauteeing! Salt/spices: Cinnamon and cayenne – omit the cayenne if you don't like any heat.

Delicata squash is available in the fall up until early winter. However, in some areas, you can get it year-round.

"Squash contains a toxin known as Cucurbitacin E, which can give the squash a bitter taste. If too much of the toxin is consumed it can cause illness. It is rare, but if the squash has a bitter taste, stop eating it, and grab another one."

Butternut squash have some of the best flavor of all! Butternut cultivars are pretty consistent when it comes to flavor. All have richly sweet, nutty flesh favored for all kinds of fall and winter cookery.

1. Butternut Squash. One of the most popular varieties of squash, it can be use in so many ways. It's one of the most rich in Vitamin A, boasting about 100% of the recommended daily value per cup, in the antioxidant form of beta-carotene.

Risks and Side Effects

As with any food, taking note of any unusual reaction, such as itching or swelling, is important, but there are no known problems with the delicata squash. However, because of its fiber content, too much could cause flatulence.

Delicata squash skin

The delicata is actually named for its delicate, edible skin, so there is no need for peeling here. The rind of these cylindrical, striped vegetables is similar in texture to a summer squash like zucchini, and becomes perfectly tender when cooked.

Why is delicata squash so good? ›

One serving of winter squash (about a heaping cup's worth) gets you nearly 10% of your daily value for potassium. Delicata squash is also brimming with antioxidant nutrients, like vitamin C. Vitamin C is a known antioxidant that helps keep cells healthy and can help prevent cell damage.

Storage tips: Winter Squash is best stored between 55-65 degrees, however, Delicata squash does not store quite as well as heartier varieties like Acorn and Butternut. Place in a cool dry room in your house (do not refrigerate) and it should last 3 months.

Delicata squash is a variety of winter squash with cylindrical fruits that are cream-coloured and striped in green or orange. As its name suggests, it has characteristically a delicate rind (or skin). It is also known as peanut squash, Bohemian squash, or sweet potato squash.

Its rind may look super tough on the outside, but we can assure you, it's super soft on the inside. There are reasons why your squash may be different this year. The maturity of the squash may be at play. Generally, younger squash has more tender skin so it could be that last year you harvested earlier.

To develop fruit, pollen from male flowers must be physically transferred to the female flowers by bees. Usually, the bees do a fine job, but if you don't have enough bees in your area, you may end up with less squash than you had hoped for!

Grown in the spring and summer months, and harvested and eaten in the fall and winter, delicata gets the label of winter squash based on when it's eaten, not when it's grown. This is a fact that trips up some people.

Although delicata is typically considered a winter squash variety, it actually belongs to the same species as summer squash varieties like cousa, zucchini, pattypan, etc. The delicata squash is sometimes referred to as a sweet potato squash or a peanut squash.