Squashes are low-key one the best seasonal foods you can get, they are loaded with vitamins and can be used in everything from breakfast to dessert. You can find the more common squashes like butternut, sugar pumpkin and spaghetti at your local grocery store, but it might take a little bit more hunting to find the other varieties (aka check out your local farmers market).
Also, because these babies are in season right now that means you can get some great prices.
Butternut Squash: Squash and Ricotta Toasts
Photo courtesy of smittenkitchen.com
This squash is sweet, but things get a little sour when it comes to peeling and chopping its bell shape. Since everyone has seen the butternut squash mac and cheese by now, this recipe shows how butternut squash can be used for an everyday, easy snack.
Other recipes to try: Squash Feta Muffins, Brussels Sprouts and Goat Cheese Galette
Acorn Squash: Moroccan Stuffed Squash
Photo courtesy of chatelaine.com
Acorn squashes literally look like acorns and are also delicious. A personal favorite, this recipe incorporates quinoa, pistachios, pomegranate seeds, feta, and citrus. You can easily make this recipe on your own by subbing pomegranate for raspberries or pistachios for another nut.
Other recipes to try: Maple Glazed Stuffed Squash, Egg and Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash
Spaghetti Squash: Spiced Squash Pancakes
Photo courtesy of marthastewart.com
Spaghetti squash is a great substitute for pasta and you can add any sauce because the squash flavor is so subtle. This recipe finds a different use than just pasta by making it into spiced pancakes.
Other recipes to try: Cheesy Broccoli Spaghetti Squash Boats, Spaghetti Squash with Tomato Sauce
Sugar Pumpkin: Apple and Pumpkin Ginger Crisp
Photo courtesy of epicurious.com
You can always go ahead and make a pumpkin pie with this little pumpkin or you could try this jacked up apple ginger crisp with pumpkin.
Kabocha Squash: Green Chili Chicken and Kabocha Squash Enchilada Casserole
Photo courtesy of bigeatstinykitchen.com
This squash is a little sweeter than a butternut squash and is perfect in this green chili chicken and kobucha squash enchilada casserole.
Red Kabocha Squash: Ember Roasted Squash Hummus
Photo courtesy of epicurious.com
Another kabocha squash you say? Yes, but the red variety is a little sweeter than the green kabocha. Try using red kabocha squash in this roasted squash dip.
Carnival Squash: Maple-Balsamic Roasted Carnival Squash
Photo courtesy of bigflavorstinykitchen.com
A cross between a sweet dumpling squash and an acorn squash, try using it as a dinner side dish this winter. This recipe roasts the squash slices in maple syrup and balsamic.
Sweet Dumpling Squash: Orzo Stuffed Sweet Dumpling Squash
Photo courtesy of heathersdish.com
This squash tastes much like a sweet potato and you can even eat the skin on it. Try using it in this orzo pesto stuffed squash recipe.
Blue Hubbard Squash: Blue Hubbard Pie with Maple Syrup
Photo courtesy of healthyhappylife.com
This squash is huge but they also sell smaller varieties to work with. Blue hubbard’s work great in pies, especially this one with maple syrup.
Delicata Squash: Herbed Delicata Squash Salad
Photo courtesy of barbaracooks.com
Distinct with its long shape, you can also eat the skin on the delicata squash. This squash salad is perfect with apples, oranges and arugula.
Red Kuri Squash: Kale and Roasted Red Kuri Squash Salad
Photo courtesy of ahouseinthehills.com
You can also eat the skin on red kuri squashes! This recipe is perfect for slices of squash accompanied with cooked kale.
Buttercup Squash: Buttercup Squash Coffee Cake
Photo courtesy of oishiitreats.blogspot.com
Just to end things on a sweet note — a versatile squash will even work well in desserts as you can see with this buttercup squash coffee cake. Hey, you’ll even be incorporating veggies into your morning treat.