On Tue, 12 Nov 2019 21:23:47 -0500, songbird >
wrote:

>U.S Janet B wrote:
>>
>> good site: Interesting recipes.
>> https://www.epicurious.com/ingredien...ieties-article
>
> i've yet to meet a squash i wouldn't like, but the
>butternut is one that comes close. the acorn is 2nd
>to the last i'd eat, but better than butternut.
>
> all the rest on that site look good to me and i've
>had a fair share of them.
>
> always glad to know more about gardening and what
>is out there. thanks.
>
>
> songbird

I love winter squash. I buy a lot of butternut because that and acorn
are generally what we are offered in the stores. I am embarrassed
when I see stores offering "gourds" for Halloween decorations and the
gourds are the beautiful hubbards, kabotas, etc. I don't buy them
anymore because they are so large and we just don't eat enough to
either process and freeze or cut up and refrigerate and eat for a
week, 10 days.
Janet US

On Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 2:21:16 PM UTC-6, U.S. Janet B. wrote:
> On Tue, 12 Nov 2019 21:23:47 -0500, songbird >
> wrote:
>
> I love winter squash. I buy a lot of butternut because that and acorn
> are generally what we are offered in the stores.
>
> Janet US
>
I bought at winter squash last year after reading recommendations here and
following a recipe given to a T. Bland except for the maple syrup. What
do you do that makes the squash not taste like Gerber baby food?

On 11/13/2019 4:40 PM, wrote:
> On Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 2:21:16 PM UTC-6, U.S. Janet B. wrote:
>> On Tue, 12 Nov 2019 21:23:47 -0500, songbird >
>> wrote:
>>
>> I love winter squash. I buy a lot of butternut because that and acorn
>> are generally what we are offered in the stores.
>>
>> Janet US
>>
> I bought at winter squash last year after reading recommendations here and
> following a recipe given to a T. Bland except for the maple syrup. What
> do you do that makes the squash not taste like Gerber baby food?
>

I think most boiled squash is not even as good as baby food. OTOH, I
will peel, slice, roast, butternut squash. Cut about 3/8 to 1/2" thick,
lightly coat with oil, roast on a sheet pan, turning after about 30
minutes. Should be a nice dark color for best taste.

Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 11/13/2019 4:40 PM, wrote:
>> On Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 2:21:16 PM UTC-6, U.S. Janet B.
>> wrote:
>>> On Tue, 12 Nov 2019 21:23:47 -0500, songbird >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> I love winter squash.* I buy a lot of butternut because that and
>>> acorn
>>> are generally what we are offered in the stores.
>>>
>>> Janet US
>>>
>> I bought at winter squash last year after reading recommendations
>> here and
>> following a recipe given to a T.* Bland except for the maple
>> syrup.* What
>> do you do that makes the squash not taste like Gerber baby food?
>>
>
> I think most boiled squash is not even as good as baby food.* OTOH,
> I will peel, slice, roast, butternut squash.* Cut about 3/8 to 1/2"
> thick, lightly coat with oil, roast on a sheet pan, turning after
> about 30 minutes.* Should be a nice dark color for best taste.

Squash is just another vegetable that must be given the taste you
want. Like eggplant, and rice, it is almost flavorless. Tofu has no
taste, until you add other ingredients. But these bland vegetables
are important parts of very flavorful dishes ... like eggplant
parmesan for example.

On Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 7:43:52 PM UTC-6, Hank Rogers wrote:
>
> Squash is just another vegetable that must be given the taste you
> want. Like eggplant, and rice, it is almost flavorless. Tofu has no
> taste, until you add other ingredients. But these bland vegetables
> are important parts of very flavorful dishes ... like eggplant
> parmesan for example.
>
I went to an investment dinner last and sat with pretty much the same people
I always sit with. One lady got eggplant parmesan and I was *almost* tempted
to ask for a bite but decided I could live without it. I had a plate of veal
piccata that had my undivided attention.

))

Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
> I think most boiled squash is not even as good as baby food.

I would never just boil it although I always add some to a
vegetable soup if I have some handy.

About baby food: Nothing wrong with that. I went on a 3-day
surfing trip to Cape Hatteras back in the 1970's. Nothing
down there (store wise) back then so we all brought our own
food. My food supply was a paper grocery bag full of baby
food in the cute little jars. It ruled and I was satisfied.

> OTOH, I
> will peel, slice, roast, butternut squash. Cut about 3/8 to 1/2" thick,
> lightly coat with oil, roast on a sheet pan, turning after about 30
> minutes. Should be a nice dark color for best taste.

I like squash floured or battered and fried in a pan with a
bit of oil. Same with green tomatoes at end of season.
I'm talking about thick slices like 1/2 inch or a bit more.

On Fri, 15 Nov 2019 07:45:03 -0500, Gary > wrote:

>Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>
>> I think most boiled squash is not even as good as baby food.
>
>I would never just boil it although I always add some to a
>vegetable soup if I have some handy.

I make an excellent soup of mixed summer squash at the end of their
growing season... I posted a picture here but don't feel like looking
for it now.


>About baby food: Nothing wrong with that. I went on a 3-day
>surfing trip to Cape Hatteras back in the 1970's. Nothing
>down there (store wise) back then so we all brought our own
>food. My food supply was a paper grocery bag full of baby
>food in the cute little jars. It ruled and I was satisfied.
>
>> OTOH, I
>> will peel, slice, roast, butternut squash. Cut about 3/8 to 1/2" thick,
>> lightly coat with oil, roast on a sheet pan, turning after about 30
>> minutes. Should be a nice dark color for best taste.
>
>I like squash floured or battered and fried in a pan with a
>bit of oil. Same with green tomatoes at end of season.
>I'm talking about thick slices like 1/2 inch or a bit more.

On Friday, November 15, 2019 at 6:45:12 AM UTC-6, Gary wrote:
>
> I like squash floured or battered and fried in a pan with a
> bit of oil.
>
No, not ever.

On Friday, November 15, 2019 at 3:44:53 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> On Friday, November 15, 2019 at 6:45:12 AM UTC-6, Gary wrote:
> >
> > I like squash floured or battered and fried in a pan with a
> > bit of oil.
> >
> No, not ever.

I'm fond of winter squash tempura and winter squash Korean barbecue
(grilled, dressed with spicy dipping sauce, and optionally wrapped
in a lettuce leaf).

Like many vegetables, it benefits from dry-heat cooking.

Cindy Hamilton

On Fri, 15 Nov 2019 12:44:48 -0800 (PST), "
> wrote:

>On Friday, November 15, 2019 at 6:45:12 AM UTC-6, Gary wrote:
>>
>> I like squash floured or battered and fried in a pan with a
>> bit of oil.
>>
>No, not ever.

Sounds good to me. I'd add some garlic and some chilli pepper.

On 11/15/2019 7:45 AM, Gary wrote:
>
> I like squash floured or battered and fried in a pan with a
> bit of oil. Same with green tomatoes at end of season.
> I'm talking about thick slices like 1/2 inch or a bit more.
>
Summer squash, sure. Zucchini, yellow squash. Not winter squash.

Jill

On Wed, 13 Nov 2019 13:40:22 -0800 (PST), "
> wrote:

>On Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 2:21:16 PM UTC-6, U.S. Janet B. wrote:
>> On Tue, 12 Nov 2019 21:23:47 -0500, songbird >
>> wrote:
>>
>> I love winter squash. I buy a lot of butternut because that and acorn
>> are generally what we are offered in the stores.
>>
>> Janet US
>>
>I bought at winter squash last year after reading recommendations here and
>following a recipe given to a T. Bland except for the maple syrup. What
>do you do that makes the squash not taste like Gerber baby food?

I roast winter squash either cut in half or peeled and cut in chunks.
Rub with a little oil and sprinkle on seasoning of your choice. We
don't season at all until at the table when we add a bit of butt and
s&p. Boiled squash is nasty stuff.
Janet US

On Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 5:41:40 PM UTC-6, U.S. Janet B. wrote:
>
> On Wed, 13 Nov 2019 13:40:22 -0800 (PST), "
> > wrote:
>
> >I bought at winter squash last year after reading recommendations here and
> >following a recipe given to a T. Bland except for the maple syrup. What
> >do you do that makes the squash not taste like Gerber baby food?
>
> I roast winter squash either cut in half or peeled and cut in chunks.
> Rub with a little oil and sprinkle on seasoning of your choice. We
> don't season at all until at the table when we add a bit of butt and
> s&p. Boiled squash is nasty stuff.
> Janet US
>
The one I cooked was halved, seeded, a bit of salt, a dab of butter, and a
small glug of maple syrup. Baked in the oven until tender.

The syrup was delicious . . . . . . .

On 11/13/2019 7:36 PM, wrote:
> On Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 5:41:40 PM UTC-6, U.S. Janet B. wrote:
>>
>> On Wed, 13 Nov 2019 13:40:22 -0800 (PST), "
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> I bought at winter squash last year after reading recommendations here and
>>> following a recipe given to a T. Bland except for the maple syrup. What
>>> do you do that makes the squash not taste like Gerber baby food?
>>
>> I roast winter squash either cut in half or peeled and cut in chunks.
>> Rub with a little oil and sprinkle on seasoning of your choice. We
>> don't season at all until at the table when we add a bit of butt and
>> s&p. Boiled squash is nasty stuff.
>> Janet US
>>
> The one I cooked was halved, seeded, a bit of salt, a dab of butter, and a
> small glug of maple syrup. Baked in the oven until tender.
>
> The syrup was delicious . . . . . . .
>
Being thicker it probably did not have the caramelized outer surface, or
at least not as much of it.

U.S Janet B wrote:
....
> I roast winter squash either cut in half or peeled and cut in chunks.
> Rub with a little oil and sprinkle on seasoning of your choice. We
> don't season at all until at the table when we add a bit of butt and
> s&p. Boiled squash is nasty stuff.

i much prefer them roasted in the oven until they
get some caramelization on them.

i've never boiled it. we have nuked it various ways
but i've usually ended up going back to roasting for
larger batches. i put some water in the pans i roast
them in so there is some humidity while roasting.

when i have hundreds to process i have to triage the
worst of them first and bake those up, we'll eat and
give away what we can then as the fall winter goes on
i'll pick those that are next in line and do those.
as they age they get a better flavor IMO. some will
go bad. that's the breaks. by mid-winter i'm quite
happy to have something to do so i'll cut up and roast
what is left and put those in freezer bags or give it
away depending upon what we have.

this season we didn't plant that many and they were
late planting so not many were harvested. they're
already gone. a few were good, most were ok, a few
weren't really edible and i ditched 'em. worms are
happy to get the scraps and seeds i dump around the
lilac tree out back.

a good buttercup or kabocha squash is enough like
a sweet potato that i wouldn't call them bland. i
usually only eat them plain or with some butter. other
times i like them heated up with chili and cheese on
top or hot sauce.


songbird

On Wed, 13 Nov 2019 20:46:08 -0500, songbird >
wrote:

snip
>
> a good buttercup or kabocha squash is enough like
>a sweet potato that i wouldn't call them bland. i
>usually only eat them plain or with some butter. other
>times i like them heated up with chili and cheese on
>top or hot sauce.
>
>
> songbird

I agree about the flavor for the squash you mention. If not allowed
to ripen they will not be very flavorful. I only planted one kabocha
this year, really to keep the weeds down in an unused patch of the
garden. I got 10 or 12 off of it. I kept cutting it back as it kept
attacking my corn and wire caged tomatoes. As it was, when I was
cleaning up the garden I found several squash hidden inside the tomato
plant cages. One or 2 of the newest squash hadn't really matured as
they should and the meat was a little bland and the color wasn't deep
orange.
I would choose winter squash over just about any other vegetable
except I would want tomatoes as a sidekick.
Janet US

U.S Janet B wrote:
....
> I agree about the flavor for the squash you mention. If not allowed
> to ripen they will not be very flavorful.

more like a summer squash when young. edible but not
really worth the calories or cooking IMO when i have other
options instead.

also, if you are eating acorn squash from the store they
are usually really bland these days. in comparison to a
home grown one that was properly fed from the soil and
ripened those are really good. i'm not sure many people
these days even know what an acorn squash used to normally
be like.


> I only planted one kabocha
> this year, really to keep the weeds down in an unused patch of the
> garden. I got 10 or 12 off of it. I kept cutting it back as it kept
> attacking my corn and wire caged tomatoes. As it was, when I was
> cleaning up the garden I found several squash hidden inside the tomato
> plant cages. One or 2 of the newest squash hadn't really matured as
> they should and the meat was a little bland and the color wasn't deep
> orange.
> I would choose winter squash over just about any other vegetable
> except I would want tomatoes as a sidekick.



i like about any vegetable, but yes, squash are high up on
our list of favorites. we're going to miss them this year.
in the recent past we've always had enough in the freezer to
get us through.


songbird

On Thu, 14 Nov 2019 09:24:57 -0500, songbird >
wrote:

>U.S Janet B wrote:
>...
>> I agree about the flavor for the squash you mention. If not allowed
>> to ripen they will not be very flavorful.
>
> more like a summer squash when young. edible but not
>really worth the calories or cooking IMO when i have other
>options instead.
>
> also, if you are eating acorn squash from the store they
>are usually really bland these days. in comparison to a
>home grown one that was properly fed from the soil and
>ripened those are really good. i'm not sure many people
>these days even know what an acorn squash used to normally
>be like.
>
>
snip
>
> songbird

Finally, someone who agrees with me about acorn squash. The store
bought ones are awful these days.
Janet US

On Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 4:40:26 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> On Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 2:21:16 PM UTC-6, U.S. Janet B. wrote:
> > On Tue, 12 Nov 2019 21:23:47 -0500, songbird >
> > wrote:
> >
> > I love winter squash. I buy a lot of butternut because that and acorn
> > are generally what we are offered in the stores.
> >
> > Janet US
> >
> I bought at winter squash last year after reading recommendations here and
> following a recipe given to a T. Bland except for the maple syrup. What
> do you do that makes the squash not taste like Gerber baby food?

Powdered chipotle chiles.

Cindy Hamilton