7 Days of In-Season Squash — Fall Fest
When it comes to using fall's freshest farmers-market produce, squash is one vegetable we just can't get enough of. In honor of this beloved vegetable's versatility, satisfying and comforting qualities, load up on a whole week's worth of squash recipes, whether you're looking for a full meal, silky soup or hearty side.
Day 1: Squash Gratin
Load two kinds of squash into your skillet for Food Network Magazine's Squash Gratin (pictured above). Blanket the butternut and kabocha squashes with breadcrumbs, Parmesan and parsley before baking and it'll result in a comforting and quintessential taste of fall.
Day 2: Squash Pasta
Giada De Laurentiis brings butternut squash into pasta for the ultimate fall weeknight meal. For Penne with Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese, pouring the hot cooked penne directly over goat cheese creates a tangy, creamy sauce with little effort, while a sprinkling of crunchy toasted walnuts balances out the soft, sweet roasted squash.
Alice Gao, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.
Day 3: Squash Stew
On its own, beef stew is the ultimate comfort food meal. Give this cold-weather staple an extra-seasonal edge by going for Giada's Beef and Butternut Squash Stew, which uses the subtly sweet squash to stand in for standard potatoes.
Day 4: Squash Soup
You can't get through fall without having at least a couple of bowls of Butternut Squash Soup. Food Network Kitchen's recipe comes with fresh sage and a little balsamic vinegar for added depth, and it's luxuriously creamy and healthy to boot.
Day 5: Squash Lasagna
Layer by layer, lasagna is one of the most-comforting casserole dishes of all. This fall, bring pureed butternut squash into a reboot of the Italian classic: Giada's cheesy Butternut Squash Lasagna. It comes loaded with fall spices instead of having the typical tomato-and-cheese flavor profile.
Alice Gao, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Day 6: Roasted Squash
When it comes to roasting, do as Guy Fieri does: Use both the flesh and the seeds of acorn squash. Filled with powerhouse ingredients, his Roasted Acorn Squash with Mushrooms, Peppers and Goat Cheese are finished by broiling until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Stephen Johnson, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Day 7: Squash Chili
A heaping crock of chili is a surefire way to beat the cold-weather blues, but Food Network Kitchen's goes the family staple one better. Bringing seasonal produce into Butternut Squash and Turkey Chili adds a hint of natural sweetness to the traditional flavors of chili, while also boosting the dish's texture, color and vitamins.
Get more of our finest fall squash recipes and ideas for fall harvest foods.
Get more squash recipes from our friends:The Lemon Bowl: Slow Cooker Beef Curry
Creative Culinary: Slow Cooker Butternut Squash, Potato and Roasted Pepper Soup
The Wimpy Vegetarian: Butternut-Apple-Kale Panzanella Salad
Swing Eats: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Taste with the Eyes: Acorn Squash and Korean Pear Salad, Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Butternut Squash & Eggplant Ratatouille
Red or Green: Butternut Squash & Chipotle Frittata
