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How to Cook Squash

3/28/2016

Learning to cook squash will give you the tools that you need to prepare one of nature's most available and versatile vegetables. Packed with antioxidants, Vitamin A, cartoons and dietary fiber, squash can be cooked in a variety of ways and will fill you up without costing you a lot of calories.

  • Prep time (Roasting in an Oven): 20 minutes
  • Cook time: 20-45 minutes
  • Total time: 40-65 minutes

EditSteps

EditRoast Squash in an Oven

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 C).
    Cook Squash Step 1.jpg
  2. Wash the outside of the squash and pat it dry with paper towel.
    Cook Squash Step 2.jpg
  3. Decide whether or not to peel your squash.
    Cook Squash Step 3.jpg
    • You can cut up and roast thin-skinned summer squash without peeling it.
    • If you want to roast winter squash in bite-sized pieces, then you should peel it with a sharp knife.
    • If you want to roast larger pieces of winter squash, simply slice the squash in half. Then, use a spoon to remove the seeds. Prick the skin with a fork to prepare it for roasting.
  4. Season the squash.
    Cook Squash Step 4.jpg
    • Spread small pieces of squash in a thin layer over the bottom of a roasting pan and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Drizzle them with some olive oil.
    • If you're roasting a large winter squash, sprinkle the cut side with salt and pepper and drizzle it with a bit of olive oil. Place both halves of the squash, skin side down, on a metal roasting pan sprayed with cooking spray.
  5. Bake the squash. Thin-skinned squash cut into small pieces will roast in about 20 to 30 minutes. Thicker-skinner squash cut in large pieces will take 30 to 45 minutes to roast.
    Cook Squash Step 5.jpg
  6. Test the squash for doneness. The flesh should be tender and easy to pierce with a fork.
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  7. Taste the squash for seasonings. Add salt and pepper if needed.
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  8. Serve your roasted squash. Scoop small pieces onto a plate alongside your main dish. Large pieces can be served individually, or you can scoop out the filling and mash or puree it.
    Cook Squash Step 8.jpg

EditSauté Squash on the Stovetop

  1. Rinse the squash under cool running water and pat it dry. Cut off both ends.
    Cook Squash Step 9.jpg
  2. Slice the squash into rings or into small chunks. Peeling summer squash is not necessary.
    Cook Squash Step 10.jpg
  3. Season the squash with salt and pepper.
    Cook Squash Step 11.jpg
  4. Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium-high until it starts to shimmer. You can also cook a flavorful meat, like pancetta or bacon, in your skillet to render its fat. Then, you remove the meat and sauté the squash in the rendered fat.
    Cook Squash Step 12.jpg
  5. Turn the heat down to medium. Sauté the squash until the exterior begins to brown and caramelize.
    Cook Squash Step 13.jpg
  6. Remove the squash from the skillet to serve it. Taste it for seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed.
    Cook Squash Step 14.jpg
  7. Serve the sauteed squash in a bowl or serve it on a plate paired with a main dish.
    Cook Squash Step 15.jpg

EditBatter and Deep-Fry Squash

  1. Rinse summer squash and pat it dry. Slice both ends off of the squash and slice the remainder into thin rings.
    Cook Squash Step 16.jpg
  2. Sprinkle the squash with a generous amount of salt and pepper.
    Cook Squash Step 17.jpg
  3. Prepare the batter.
    Cook Squash Step 18.jpg
    • Crack an egg and pour the yolk and white into a bowl. Lightly beat the egg with a fork, and sprinkle the beaten egg with salt and pepper.
    • Pour cornmeal or flour into a separate bowl.
    • Place both bowls next to the stovetop so that you can batter your squash and then quickly drop it into the hot oil.
  4. Pour 2 cups of canola oil into a heavy-bottomed skilled. Heat the oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 C), checking the temperature with a candy thermometer.
    Cook Squash Step 19.jpg
  5. Dip the squash into the egg using either some tongs or your fingers. Then, dip the squash into the flour or cornmeal.
    Cook Squash Step 20.jpg
  6. Place the battered squash pieces into a mesh basket. Lower the contents of the basket into the heated oil.
    Cook Squash Step 21.jpg
  7. Cook the squash pieces until they brown and float to the top of the oil. Remove them with the mesh basket, and place them on plates lined with paper towels to drain the oil.
    Cook Squash Step 22.jpg
  8. Serve the deep-fried squash. The pieces are flavorful enough to serve on their own, but you can also provide a small container of ranch dressing for dipping.
    Cook Squash Step 23.jpg

EditCook Squash in the Microwave

  1. Scrub squash with a vegetable brush under cool water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
    Cook Squash Step 24.jpg
  2. Cut the squash in half or lengthwise. Pierce the skin with a fork so that the steam can escape.
    Cook Squash Step 25.jpg
  3. Season the squash generously with salt and pepper. Place the pieces cut side down in a microwave-safe bowl and add 1/4 cup (60 mL) of water.
    Cook Squash Step 26.jpg
  4. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel. Cook the squash on high for 5 to 20 minutes until the squash is tender when you pierce it with a fork.
    Cook Squash Step 27.jpg

EditGrill Squash on Skewers

  1. Prepare the squash for grilling by rinsing it. If you're using wooden skewers, then soak the skewers in water for 30 minutes.
    Cook Squash Step 28.jpg
  2. Cut your squash into 1" (2.5 cm) cubes and season them with salt and pepper. Place the squash onto the skewers and brush the cubes with oil or melted butter.
    Cook Squash Step 29.jpg
  3. Spray your grill rack with cooking spray. Place the squash directly on the rack and cook the pieces over medium-heat for 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Remove the squash when the exterior begins to blacken and the flesh is tender.
    Cook Squash Step 30.jpg

EditGrill Squash Halves

  1. Preheat the grill to 350ºF/180ºC.
    Cook Squash Step 31.jpg
  2. Cut the squash in halves.
    Cook Squash Step 32.jpg
  3. Drizzle olive oil over each half prior to adding to the grill.
    Cook Squash Step 33.jpg
  4. Add salt and pepper to taste. You can also use other seasonings, as preferred.
    Cook Squash Step 34.jpg
  5. Lay on a tray. Place under or on the grill (depending on whether you're using a top-down or bottom-up grill).
    Cook Squash Step 35.jpg
  6. Grill for 6 minutes per side.
    Cook Squash Step 36.jpg
  7. Remove from the grill. Serve immediately.
    Cook Squash Step 37.jpg

EditVideo

EditTips

  • Squash is versatile enough to pair well with either sweet or savory seasonings. For sweet butternut or acorn squash, try brown sugar and cinnamon. For a savory twist, sprinkle roasted butternut squash with curry powder.
  • If you want to use butternut squash in soup, then roast it halved in the oven instead of peeling and boiling it. When the squash cools, you can simply scoop the flesh out of the peel and then puree it in a blender or food processor.
  • When you choose a squash at the market, look for a vegetable that is firm and heavy for its size. Winter squash should have a thick skin and a woody rind.
  • Buy peeled and cubed winter squash at your grocery store for convenience. Just remember to consume it within a couple of days because it will soften and deteriorate quickly.

EditWarnings

  • Avoid choosing squash that have moldy or sunken spots. Also avoid squash with punctures in the skin.

EditThings You'll Need

  • Squash
  • Paper towels
  • Sharp knife
  • Salt and pepper
  • Olive oil or canola oil
  • Roasting pan
  • Cooking spray
  • Skillet
  • 2 bowls
  • Egg
  • Flour or cornmeal
  • Water
  • Microwave-safe dish
  • Fork
  • Grill
  • Metal or wooden skewers

EditRelated wikiHows

EditSources and Citations





Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Cook-Squash