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These delicata squash recipes are deliciously fun ways to eat this sweet root veggie! Make it roasted, fries, salads, soups and more.
Got delicata squash? This seasonal root vegetable is taking the world by storm. Why? It’s simple to prepare and its flavor is robust, buttery, and sweet. It’s so easy to cook, it gives butternut squash a run for its money! Here are our top delicata squash recipes for the season if you find a few at your farmers market or grocery. It’s so simple to roast, make into fries, and use for soups, salads and more!
But first, what is delicata squash? Delicata squash is an oblong winter squash that is creamy-white to yellow in color, with vibrant green and orange stripes. Delicata has edible skin, making it very easy to cook with no peeling required. The flavor is very sweet, with a rich, moist texture similar to a sweet potato. This type of squash has become popular in the past decade, and you can find it at many mainstream grocery stores and farmers markets.
And now…the top delicata squash recipes!
Here's our favorite delicata squash recipe: roast it into fries! This root vegetable cooks quickly with no need to peel, and has a sweet, buttery flavor. Slice it into fries and serve it as a side dish with a homemade creamy sauce!
Another great delicata squash recipe? Roast it up for a stunning salad! This one is something special, a hearty and healthy salad perfect for entertaining or to pair with a cozy soup. Roast up that squash in just 20 minutes, and in the meantime prep those refreshing pomegranate seeds, crunchy pistachios, and tangy honey mustard dressing.
Delicata squash roasts up into beautiful half-moons, with edible skin (no peeling!) and a sweet flavor that’s something like a sweet potato. Even better, it’s quick to cook: just 20 minutes in a hot oven! It's a delightfully simple side dish that's ready in no time.
Here's how to make delicata squash into a meal! Make a chipotle glaze for the outside of the squash. Then roast it up with a stuffing of rice, black beans, corn, and salsa. It's so delicious and a fun way to make a fall dinner.
This cozy orange puree warms you from the inside out, ideal with a grilled cheese for lunch or as a first course to a fall dinner. There’s no need for heavy cream: just a handful of vegetables and spices make a robust, cozy flavor.
Stuffed delicata squash is a perfect fall main dish: it’s homey, autumnal, and good for you, too! For stuffing, combine brown butter with sage and wild rice, along with vegetables and sharp cheddar cheese. The sweetness of the brown butter against the herbs and chewy wild rice is spot on!
Creamy, flavorful, this delicata squash orzo is made in one pot, risotto style, but comes together so much faster! The perfect vegetarian main dish or amazing side dish to any autumn dinner. via The Natural Nurturer
This tasty pasta dish is a combination of salad and pasta in one! It stars bits of chewy pasta, roasted delicata squash, and peppery arugula with a coating of butter and Parmesan. A perfect fall dinner idea! via Naturally Ella
Here's another fun delicata squash recipe: stuff it with quinoa and chickpeas to make it a main dish! The stuffing also features mint, dried cranberries and pistachios for herby, sweet and crunchy components. via Simple Veganist
This tasty salad featurese roasted delicata squash, kale, crispy walnut-Parmesan breadcrumbs and a creamy peppercorn dressing. This hearty roasted squash salad is filled with fall flavors and can double as an entree or side dish! via Dishing Out Health
Got an air fryer? Try it out with delicata squash for an easy fall side dish! Seasoned with a blend of garlic, Parmesan and spices, it's deliciously sweet and roasted to perfection in about 15 minutes! via Marisa Moore
Here's a fun and beautiful delicata squash recipe to impress! It stars baked squash, creamy tahini sauce, pomegranates, hazelnuts, and fresh parsley. It’s a symphony of texture and flavor, and utilizes some of autumn’s best produce. via Minimalist Baker
One of the best delicata squash recipes? Roast it up with a coating of Parmesan and thyme, and it's crispy and irresistibly delicious! It's a simple side dish in 30 minutes. via Skinny Taste
Here's another delicata squash recipe that makes it into a hearty dinner! Whole wheat pasta is tossed with homemade walnut-sage pesto and topped with roasted delicata squash. It's a vegetarian pasta that comes together quickly, but is impressive enough for special occasions. via A Beautiful Plate
Last up, here's a delicata squash recipe to impress: a skillet tian! Toss squash rings with butter and savory herbs, then roasted to perfection and topped with parmesan cheese! via Hungry Hobby
More squash recipes
Love squash? Here are a few more squash recipes to try:
- Go for 21 Tasty Butternut Squash Recipes
- Make Best Acorn Squash Recipes
- Bake up our favorite Spaghetti Squash Recipes
- Try these 15 Best Squash Recipes with all of the squashes of the season!
15 Delicata Squash Recipes
The best delicata squash recipe? Fries! These will become a fast favorite, especially with the creamy sauce for dipping.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Roasted
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the delicata squash fries
- 2 pounds delicata squash (2 medium to large)*
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
For the sauce
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons Mexican hot sauce (we like Cholula)
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce or tamari
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon dried dill
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Wash the squash. Cut it in half lengthwise, then use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Cut each half into 1/2-inch half-moon shaped slices.
- Place the slices in a bowl. Mix with the olive oil, kosher salt, and plenty of fresh ground black pepper.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the squash on the sheet in a single layer.
- Roast for 20 to 25 minutes until tender and slightly browned. Eat immediately. (Store leftovers refrigerated and reheat in a 400°F oven.)
- While the squash roasts, mix together the sauce ingredients. (Or substitute Lemon Tahini Sauce for a vegan or non-spicy option.)
- Serve squash warm from the oven with the sauce.
thank you, great alternative for me from zucchini, which I’ve had way too much of lately, and this squash looks like it can even work noodle-ized as a swap for pasta, the soup looks good too!
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