5 Winter Squash Recipes to Steal the Show on Thanksgiving

This article has been updated.

Nothing says autumn like an arrangement of multi-colored squash, but those incredible colors can do more for your family than evoke nature’s harvest season.

Not only does winter squash contain huge amounts of vitamins A and C to help boost your immune system and fight off seasonal viruses, these vegetable powerhouses also contain dietary fiber and anti-inflammatory omega-3’s. Try some of these delicious recipes at your table today. Cooking squash isn’t as intimidating as it looks.

Squash-Pecan Pie

This recipe is glamorous for Thanksgiving dinner, and it appeals to most tastes. Pecan pies can be too sweet and pumpkin pies can be bland. With this recipe, you have a perfect middle ground, and it’s quick and easy to prepare!

Prep: 15 mins. Baking: 50 mins. Oven: 350 degrees.

Makes: 8 servings. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 cups cooked orange winter squash, mashed
• 1 unbaked 9 inch pastry shell
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup dark-colored corn syrup
• whipped cream, optional
• 1 tsp. vanilla

1. In a medium bowl combine the eggs, squash, sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour into the pastry shell. Sprinkle with pecans.

2. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 50-55 min. or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cover and refrigerate within 2 hours. If desired, serve the pie with whipping cream.

Baked Squash with Mushroom and Rice Stuffing

Skip the mashed potatoes and have this colorful dish as a side with the turkey. Alternatively, you could serve this festive vegetarian entree as the main course, with some greens on the side.

Prep: 30 min Bake: about 65 min. Oven: 350 degrees

Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 medium acorn squash
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 2 Tb. olive oil
• 1 Tb. chopped fresh sage or thyme
• 2 shallots, chopped
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 cup cooked wild rice
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1/2 lb. brown mushrooms, sliced
• 1/3 cup vegetable stock
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup grated carrots
• salt and freshly cracked black pepper to tastes

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut each squash lengthwise in half. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Trim a little from the uncut side so the squash will sit flat once stuffed. Place squash halves, cavity side down, on a non-stick, parchment or foiled lined baking sheet. Cover and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until firm/tender.
2. Meanwhile, prepare filling by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots, garlic, mushrooms, bell pepper and carrots and cook until the mushrooms are very tender, about 5-6 minutes. Place mixture in a bowl; mix in all remaining ingredients. Turn the squash halves, cavity side up, on the baking sheet.
3. Spoon and mound the mushroom mixture into the center of them. (Can be cooled to room temperature at this point, stored in the fridge and baked later)
4. Cover and bake 15-20 minutes, or until the squash is tender and the filling is heated through.

Squash Surprise

At a recent potluck, everyone loved this simple yummy squash dish. It was good with mildly sweet applesauce, but you could experiment with sugar and spices like cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg. Children will like that the squash becomes a bowl.

This is a great recipe for using up your small squash. You can slice the top off the squash and save it. When the dish is ready to serve, set the lid back on top. This keeps the dish warm and adds the element of surprise when the lid is lifted!

Prep: 10 min Bake: 45 min. Oven: 375 degrees

Ingredients:

• 4 small winter squash, such as acorn or delicata
• 2 cups applesauce
• cinnamon

1. Cut winter squash in half, lengthwise and scoop out seeds and pulp. Place upright on baking sheet or in shallow dish. Fill with applesauce.
2. Bake for about 3/4 hour in a 375 F degree oven until squash is soft. Sprinkle with cinnamon before serving. A drizzle of brown butter or maple syrup is another delicious alternative.

Jan’s Hearty Winter Squash and Peanut Soup

Deliciously understated! Diners will expect little from this humble dish, but a surprise awaits with the first taste. The hint of peanut and ginger is a perfect complement to the squash.

This filling soup makes about 3 quarts, but it halves easily, and freezes well. The extra milk at the end can be added when it is thawed and heated, saving freezer space.

Ingredients:

• 1 Tb. oil
• 3 cups cubed winter squash (butternut, hubbard, or buttercup), raw or cooked
• 2 stalks chopped celery
• 1 large chopped onion
• 4 1/2 cups water or chicken broth
• 2 cups milk
• 2 large potatoes
• 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
• 2 Tb. fresh grated ginger or dried ginger powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. black pepper

1. Add the oil to the pan and saute onion and celery. Cover and stir occasionally until onion is translucent.
2. Add remaining ingredients and stir. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
3. Puree in a blender in batches. Cool if freezing. Five minutes before serving, add extra milk or cream and reheat slowly. Taste for salt.
4. This soup is pretty topped with yogurt, sour cream, toasted pumpkin seeds, and/or minced chives or parsley.

Squash Puff

We may think souffles are adult fare, but youngsters love this slightly sweet and fluffy dish. The chopped nuts on top help too. A bonus is that it is easy to make and won’t collapse like other souffles.

Towards the end of the baking time, watch that it doesn’t scorch. If nuts are browning too fast place a piece of foil loosely on top.

Prep: 15 min Bake: 45 to 60 min. Oven: 350 degrees

Ingredients:

• 3 cups mashed or pureed cooked orange winter squash or yams
• 4 Tb honey or mild molasses
• 3 Tb flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp grated nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp powdered ginger
• 3 eggs, separated
• 1/2 cup whole or chopped pecans or walnuts for topping

1. Mix first 6 ingredients together with the 3 yolks.
2. Beat the 3 egg whites until firm and fold into above mixture.
3. Gently spoon into a 1 1/2 Qt. oiled dish and sprinkle top with whole or chopped nuts. Bake 45-60 minutes at 350 degrees.

The proportions of this dish can vary and it will still come out fine. If you only have 2 eggs use 2 c. of squash.

Our favorite squash for this recipe is buttercup.