These Are Our Top 20 Squash and Pumpkin Recipes
No matter the season, there's a squash (or pumpkin!) recipe here for you. From pumpkin pie to roasted butternut squash, we're sharing our favorite dishes that put your favorite squash to good use.
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What is the largest fruit native to North America? No, it's not the pawpaw (Asimina triloba), media darling of the eating world. It's the squash! But we can't forget about the pumpkin either. (This raises the question: What is the difference between squash and pumpkin? Stay with us, we'll get to that.) Yes, these substantial and nutritious vegetables are, in fact, fruits, at least botanically speaking. Both belong to the Cucurbita genus, and many of the squash and pumpkins we eat today originated in the southern part of North America, through Central America and into northern South America.
Although we tend to enjoy squash and pumpkins as savory side dishes (with the exception of the famous pumpkin pie), they are versatile shape-shifters, worthy even of entrée-attention. To that end, we've gathered a diverse collection of our best squash and pumpkin recipes to tempt your taste buds and reawaken your appetite for a nutritious seasonal food, starting with an easy recipe for Roasted Pumpkin or winter squash, as shown here.
Summer squash and winter squash are colloquially—not botanically—defined by their skin-thickness and keeping qualities. Thinner skin, soft seeds, and fairly perishable? You have a summer squash on your hands. Winter squash have hard rinds and seeds, and they can keep for months. And yes, pumpkins are winter squash. Summer squash begin ripening around midsummer, while the first local winter squash arrive at market in late summer through fall.
The flavor of summer squash is mild. Their tenderness allows for easy slicing and quick cooking. Winter squash are ideal for low, slow cooking and add delicious depth to braises, bakes, and, of course, pie.
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Roasted Squash and Parsnip Soup
We don't know who first combined squash with apples in a hot soup, but we thank them. The pairing is timelessly good. Fall-ready parsnips are an earthy anchor for the sweeter ingredients.
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Honeynut Squash, Leek, and Brie Gratin
In a hunger-soothing vegetarian gratin, petite honeynut squash and brie play exceptionally well together. (A crust of bread for wiping the dish wouldn't go amiss.)
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Grilled Summer Squash Tartines
Photo-worthy squash tartines are spiked with chile and cheese and are a cinch for a light supper or quick appetizer for friends.
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Pumpkin Dip
For sheer good looks and festive cheer, a stuffed sugar pumpkin is hard to beat. In this restrained dip, the sweetness of the pumpkin purée is balanced by rosemary and roasted garlic. Serve with crunchy breadsticks and raw vegetables for scooping.
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Baked Farro Risotto with Golden Vegetables and Goat Cheese
Butternut squash and golden beets star in this oven-baked risotto. It's made with nutty farro rather than the usual rice and makes a hearty vegetarian entrée.
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Roasted Kabocha Squash with Tahini and Herb Salad
This bright winter squash salad is vividly appetizing and creamy with a healthy tahini and yogurt dressing. Don't skimp on the soft and fragrant herbs.
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Zucchini-and-Squash Salad
Buttery toasted pine nuts, salty Pecorino Romano cheese, and fragrant basil add intrigue to this simple side dish of sliced summer squash.
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Pumpkin Bars
In this easy sheet cake all the warm winter spices combine with pumpkin to make a moist and irresistible dessert sliced into bars for snacking. Icing optional!
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Squash, Chestnut, and Brioche Stuffing
The combination of velvety butternut squash with roast chestnuts, aromatic vegetables, and buttery brioche is so good in this autumnal classic that we think the stuffing should be the entrée. All you need is a crunchy salad as accompaniment.
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Roasted Acorn Squash with Pomegranate Glaze
Familiar acorn squash are transformed by a glossy pomegranate glaze perfumed with peppercorns, cinnamon, allspice, and bay leaf.
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Pici with Summer Squashes and Ouzo
The bold pairing of tarragon and ouzo, tempered with cream, transforms familiar summer squash into a bowl-licking pasta entrée that will become a summer favorite.
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Pumpkin Crunch Pie
What's better than pumpkin pie? Pumpkin pie topped with a crunchy pecan crumble. Dig in!
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Winter Squash Dip
Good looking winter squashes make stunning centerpieces. This substantial dip is richly flavored with smoky chipotle peppers, sour cream, and two whole heads of roasted garlic. Stunning for a party, it could also be the star of a family dinner.
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Acorn Squash Stuffed with Mushrooms and Rice
Acorn squash are the perfect size for one-person portions. Stuff their buttery-sweet selves with a hearty combination of seasonal mushrooms and rice.
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Zucchini and Caramelized-Onion Pizza
For a pie that spans the seasons, jazz up store-bought pizza dough with zucchini ribbons, caramelized onions, feta, Kalamata olives, and fresh mint.
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Easy Pumpkin-Gingerbread Ice Cream Sandwiches
Sometimes we're short on time, so we go store-bought. To make this dessert, you need good cookies and good pumpkin ice cream. Smoosh them together and you have a delicious dessert! You can, of course, make our Pumpkin Ice Cream from scratch, too, but it's definitely not required.
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Kabocha-Cauliflower Mash
Boldy colored and boldy flavored, this is a luscious vegetable mash for your holiday table, or anytime really. It's smooth and creamy but dairy-free. The richness comes from coconut milk, and there's a flavor boost from minced ginger.
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Warm Summer Squash Salad
With a backdrop of garlic and balsamic vinegar, this sweetly warm salad of tender squash is ready in five minutes.
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Chocolate-Zucchini Sheet Cake with Cream-Cheese Frosting
Pumpkin certainly isn't the only member of the squash family that aces dessert. This crowd-pleasing cake is moist and delicious thanks to the grated zucchini.