Winter Squash is in season from September to December in Skagit County.
Roasted Winter Squash
Time needed: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Winter squash can be prepared many ways, but this might just be the easiest! When cooked, the rind of many types of squash, such as Delicata and Acorn, is soft and edible, so there is no need to peel or remove the skin with this quick recipe. The shape of some types of squash makes interesting slices-let your children arrange slices on their plate to create flowers and other designs before eating!
| INGREDIENTS 1 winter squash (Delicata and Acorn are a great choice!) 1 teaspoon oil ¼ teaspoon salt DIRECTIONS 1. Wash hands with soap and water. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Wash hands with soap and water. Wash and carefully slice the squash into half inch slices and scoop out seeds. Depending on the variety, you may wish to slice the squash in half, scoop seeds, and then slice. 3. Oil baking sheet, arrange slices in a single layer, sprinkle with salt. 4. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, turning slices over halfway through. You may need to adjust the time depending on squash size and type. The cooked squash should be tender and lightly browned when finished.\ VARIATIONS: Add a few dashes of cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar or maple syrup for sweet glazed squash. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 2 T shredded Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle slices with Tajin seasoning and 1 T lime juice. |
Download Printable version of the Roasted Winter Squash
Kids in the Kitchen
The naturally sweet taste of winter squash makes it easy for even picky eaters to enjoy. One way for children to participate is to ask for their help when scooping out the squash seeds, which can be done easily by young children using only a spoon. Practice counting the squash seeds. Sort them according to size. Crack one open to see the smaller seed inside.
To roast squash seeds – rinse the seeds and place them on an oiled baking sheet in the oven at 300 degrees for about 10 minutes, tossing them every few minutes to evenly roast. After cooling, observe the seeds again. Did the size change? Did the color change? Does the inside seed look different? Taste a whole seed, then taste only the inner seed. Do they taste different? Which do you like better?
1 acorns squash = 1 cup cubed
How to Store Winter Squash
Cut squash can be stored in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic wrap or a vapor-proof container for up to 1 week. For best long-term storage for Winter Squash and Pumpkin, store whole, uncut squash in a dry 50-60 degree location such as a closet. Some squash will last 2-3 months, but others retain their quality for a much longer period.
The Family Farms to Healthy Kids project is based upon work that is supported by the USDA Award CN-F2S-IMPL-20-WA-3. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this flyer are those of the author(s) and author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S.D.A. WSU is an equal opportunity provider.