Best 20 Delicata Squash Recipes

ROASTED DELICATA SQUASH

Steps:

• Place squash halves cut side down on a cutting board. Slice into 3/8-inch slices. Transfer slices to a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil; add salt and cayenne pepper. Toss to coat squash with oil.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
• Arrange squash pieces in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Place in preheated oven until bottom of slices is browned and squash is tender, 12 to 18 minutes.

DELICATA CREAMY SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Place the squash, cut sides down, in a baking dish. Add 1/8 inch water in baking dish, cover with foil and bake 35-40 minutes or until tender. Cool.
• In a large saucepan, melt butter. Add onion and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until onion is softened but not brown.
• Scrape the squash out of the flesh and add to onions. Add the stock and heavy cream. Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes.
• Puree the soup in a blender or food processor. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

SWEET BAKED DELICATA SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously butter a baking dish.
• Spread squash slices into prepared baking dish.
• Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.
• Stir brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, ginger, and salt together in a bowl; drizzle over the squash.
• Continue baking squash in oven until completely tender, 15 to 20 minutes more.

ROASTED SWEET POTATO AND DELICATA SQUASH WITH CRANBERRY AGRODOLCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss squash, sweet potatoes, and oil in a very large bowl. Add red pepper flakes and 2 tsp. salt and toss to combine. Arrange on a rimmed baking sheet with 12 thyme sprigs. Roast, tossing once halfway through, until squash is golden brown and fork-tender, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, cook cranberries, vinegar, sugar, and remaining 3 thyme sprigs and 1/2 tsp. salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cranberries are soft and sauce is thick and syrupy, about 35 minutes.
• Transfer vegetables to a platter, then drizzle some agrodolce over. Serve remaining agrodolce alongside.

WILD RICE & LENTIL STUFFED DELICATA SQUASH WITH CRANBERRIES & PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Make the pilaf. Set a large saute pan with lid (or a medium dutch oven) over low heat. Add the olive oil. When hot, add the onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring frequently, until a few pieces of the rice start to get golden on the ends, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, 1 teaspoon curry powder, cumin, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, for one more minute.
• Add 3 cups of the vegetable broth, the brown sugar, and the lentils. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to a simmer, stir, and cover. Set the timer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the mixture begins to get too dry before being cooked all of the way, add additional broth. If the mixture seems too wet after cooking for awhile, vent the pan to help some of the liquid evaporate. I've found making the pilaf is not an exact science as each pan is different, so just monitor your pilaf as it cooks. Pilaf is done when it's relatively dry and the lentils and rice are tender, about 40 minutes.
• Remove pilaf from heat and stir the dried cranberries and chopped pecans. Taste and add the remaining teaspoon of curry powder and more salt and pepper if you wish.
• Meanwhile, while the pilaf cooks, prepare the delicata squash. Cut the stems off the ends, half lengthwise, scrape the seeds out with a spoon, and brush the inside of each half with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and place cut side down on a large baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes, until fork-tender and golden around the edges. Remove from oven.
• When ready to serve, flip over the delicata squash and spoon pilaf into the squash halves. I like to mound it just a bit but not too much or serving will become interesting (as in messy). You may have some pilaf left over. Transfer to serving plate and sprinkle chopped parsley over the top. Serve.

WHOLE-ROASTED STUFFED DELICATA SQUASH

Steps:

• Cut 1 inch off the top and bottom of each squash. Use a melon baller or small spoon to scrape out the seeds. Sprinkle the inside of the squash with salt and pepper, then stand them upright on an oiled baking sheet.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large saucepan set over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. When it foams, add onions to pan and sauté, stirring frequently, until they begin to soften and turn translucent, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Add kale to pan and continue to cook, tossing, until kale begins to wilt, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat and put vegetables into a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, place bread cubes on a sheet pan and toast in the oven until they begin to crisp on the outside, approximately 7 to 9 minutes. Add bread cubes to the bowl with the vegetables, and then add blue cheese and cranberries. Stir to combine.
• Put pecans in a dry sauté pan set over medium heat and toast the nuts until they begin to darken and turn fragrant, approximately 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in maple syrup and allow to cook for 1 minute, then scrape into the bowl with the rest of the stuffing and toss to combine. Taste and season the mixture with salt and pepper.
• Lower oven temperature to 400 degrees. Divide the stuffing between the squash. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into 6 pieces, and top each squash with a dot of butter. Roast squash until the flesh has softened and you can easily pierce it with a fork, approximately 45 minutes. If the squash is browning too quickly, lay a sheet of aluminum foil over the top to prevent burning.
• Sprinkle parsley over the squash. Serve 1 whole squash per person as a main course, or 1/2 squash or less as a side dish.

TURKEY SAUSAGE-STUFFED DELICATA SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
• Brush cut sides of squash with 2 teaspoons oil. Place cut-sides down on the baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until soft, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Add turkey sausage. Saute, breaking up into small crumbles, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add celery, onion, garlic, sage, rosemary and thyme. Continue cooking until vegetables are soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in rice, cherries, and parsley until mixture is warmed through, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Turn squash halves over so they are cut-side up. Fill with the sausage mixture and top with Parmesan cheese. Return to oven and bake until cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes.

ROASTED ACORN AND DELICATA SQUASH SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Place acorn squash slices on 1 tray and sliced delicata on the other. Toss each with 1 Tbsp oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and a pinch of pepper.
• Place in oven and roast for 30 minutes; flip squash, rotate the trays, and roast for another 10-15 minutes or until just beginning to brown. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
• Whisk vinegar, 1/4 cup oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl; stir in wheat berries.
• Spread half of greens over a serving platter or bottom of a wide bowl, then add half of acorn squash, delicata squash, pearl onions, goat cheese, and pumpkin seeds. Drizzle with half of dressing; repeat with remaining ingredients and dressing. Toss lightly; serve immediately.

DELICATA SQUASH GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a medium casserole dish with cooking spray.
• Slice delicata squash lengthwise, remove seeds and pulp, and cut into 1/2-inch crescent-shaped slices. Place squash in the prepared pan and lightly season with salt and pepper.
• Melt butter in a 1-quart saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes, being careful not to allow the paste to brown. Gradually stir in milk and bring to a boil. Stir and cook for about 3 minutes; remove from heat. Mix in Gruyere cheese and stir until melted. Season with cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
• Pour cheese sauce over the squash and bake in the preheated oven until the squash is fork-tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Garnish with snipped parsley.

ROASTED DELICATA SQUASH WEDGES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Wash the squash thoroughly. Cut the hard ends off each squash, and cut them in half.
• Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and strings. Cut each half into 3 or 4 wedges.
• Place the squash wedges skin down on a cookie sheet. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle on your seasonings.
• Roast in the oven for 40 minutes.

DELICATA BAKED SQUASH RINGS

Steps:

• 1. Pre-heat oven to 425F Wash & slice squash, into 1/2 to 3/4 inch slices. Cut out center with the seeds.
• 2. Put slices on a cookie sheet, (I line mine with foil) Do not let them touch each other.
• 3. Brush on the mixed, olive oil & butter. Turn and brush again. Salt & pepper, and thyme...if wanted. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn once after 10 minutes. When ready to serve stack up onto a plate....like a leaning tower !...The skin on delicata can be eaten.

LEEK & DELICATA SQUASH SOUP WITH CARAMELIZED APPLE CROUTONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the squash, cut side down, on a baking sheet and bake until tender, about 40 minutes. Let cool slightly and gently scrape or cut squash away from skin (delicata skin is edible, but not tasty in this dish). Set aside.
• Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Add leeks and thyme and stir occasionally until soft and brown, 10-15 minutes. Stir in the stock and the squash and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Using an immersion hand blender, puree the soup directly in the pot until smooth. (Alternatively, puree the soup in batches in a standard blender or food processor).
• Season with salt and pepper & top with sour cream and caramelized apple croutons
• To make the croutons:.
• Peel and core apple and halve lengthwise. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, cut apple into very thin slices. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread one layer of apple slices on top. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake slices for 20 minutes at 350 degrees until crisp.
• Transfer to cooling racks and let cool completely.

ROASTED DELICATA SQUASH WITH GARDEN HERBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange squashes in a single layer on two rimmed baking sheets. Sprinkle with herbs; brush both sides of squashes and herbs evenly with oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Roast until squashes are golden brown on bottom, about 15 minutes. Flip squashes and herbs; roast until tender, about 5 minutes more.

GRATIN OF DELICATA SQUASH AND LEEKS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400. Spray 11x7-inch ceramic or glass gratin dish with cooking spray. Sprinkle bottom with 1/4 cup of the panko.
• Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-low heat until warm. Cook leeks and prosciutto 4-6 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. (Add a little water if leeks start to scorch).
• Combine rosemary, salt and pepper in small bowl. Arrange half of the squash slices in baking dish; sprinkle with half of the rosemary mixture. Spread leek mixture over squash; top with remaining squash. Gently pour broth over squash; sprinkle with remaining rosemary mixture. Cover with foil sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 35-40 minutes or until squash is almost tender. (Gratin can be prepared to this point 1 day ahead. Cool slightly; refrigerate. Bake, covered, at 400 for 15 minutes before continuing with recipe). Sprinkle gratin with cheese. Combine remaining 1/4 cup panko and butter; sprinkle over cheese. Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes or until squash is tender and top is golden brown.
• Tips: Deli ham or salami can be substituted.

ROASTED DELICATA SQUASH PURéE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Halve squash lengthwise and place on a cookie sheet, cut sides up. Rub with oil, and season with salt and white pepper to taste. Roast until flesh yields easily to the touch, 30 to 60 minutes, depending on size of squash.
• Remove from oven and scoop out and discard seeds from central cavity. Scoop out flesh and place in a food processor. Process until very smooth. Transfer to a nonstick saucepan, place over low heat, and stir constantly until any liquid has evaporated and squash is dry, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Transfer to a food mill and press squash through into nonstick saucepan. Stir in butter and cinnamon. Season with salt and white pepper as needed. Return to low heat just until reheated. Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Reheat gently before serving.

DELICATA SQUASH WITH ROSEMARY, SAGE, AND CIDER GLAZE

Steps:

• 1. Squash. If using delicata squash, peel it with a vegetable peeler, cut it lengthwise in half, and scrape out the seeds with a spoon. Cut each piece lengthwise in half again, then crosswise into 1/2-inch -thick slices. Other types of squash should be peeled with a chef's knife, seeded, cut into 1-inch wedges, then sliced 1/2-inch thick.
• 2. Herb Butter. Melt the butter in a large (12-inch) skillet over low heat. Add the sage and rosemary and cook, stirring, until the butter just begins to turn golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Do not brown the herbs. Cooking the herbs in butter mellows their flavor and improves their texture.
• 3. Cooking the squash. Add the squash to the skillet, then the apple cider, water, vinegar, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat at an even boil until the cider has boiled down to a glaze and the squash is tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Taste and season with pepper, and additional salt if needed.

SPICY ROASTED DELICATA SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out and reserve the seeds in a small bowl. Cut the squash into 1-inch half-moons and place into a large bowl.
• Thinly slice 1 of the jalapenos and place in a small bowl with the white balsamic, making sure the vinegar covers the peppers completely. Set aside to pickle while the squash cooks.
• Meanwhile, thinly slice the remaining jalapeno and transfer to a small skillet with 1/4 cup of the olive oil and 1 teaspoon of the harissa. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the peppers are shimmering and starting to lighten in color in the center and the seeds are turning golden brown, about 5 minutes. Strain the oil into the large bowl with the squash and add the remaining 2 teaspoons harissa, 1 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Use tongs (the oil will be hot) to toss everything together. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until a butter knife can be inserted easily into the squash and removed, about 30 minutes.
• While the squash is cooking, toss the seeds with the pumpkin pie spice, cayenne pepper, remaining 1/2 teaspoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until light golden and crispy, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Transfer the squash to a serving platter. Drain the jalapenos and sprinkle over top along with the feta cheese and roasted seeds.

STUFFED DELICATA SQUASH WITH LENTILS AND CASHEW RAITA

Steps:

• Place the cashew pieces in a bowl and cover with cool water. Cover and place in the fridge to soak for four hours.
• Thoroughly drain the soaked cashews and combine with the chopped mint, lemon juice, water and salt in a blender. Purée, pausing to scrape down the sides of the canister with a spatula as needed, until completely silky-smooth. This process may take longer if you use a lower-powered blender, but stick with it; that creamy texture is important. Stir in the cucumber pieces by hand. Store in an air-tight container and keep refrigerated prior to serving.
• For the filling, heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat before adding the shallots and jalapeno. Cook until translucent, then add the cumin and mustard seeds. Cook until the entire mixture is highly aromatic, about a minute. Add the lentils and broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for about 30 minutes, until the liquid has absorbed and lentils are tender. Add the coconut milk and vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Keep the pot partially covered and simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until the liquid has been absorbed. Cover and keep warm.
• As the lentils cook, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut both squash in half lengthwise and scoop out (but reserve) seeds. Place each half with the cut sides down on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes, or until a fork easily pierces the flesh. Remove from oven and let cool for at least 5 minutes before handling.
• Reduce oven to 250 degrees and toss the reserved seeds with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt and roast for 10 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent them from burning. Once golden and crisp, remove from oven and allow to cool.
• Flip the roasted delicata squashes up to turn them into boats and spoon the warm lentils inside. Serve the cashew raita alongside for guests to top their squashes as desired and finish with a sprinkle of roasted seeds.

DELICATA SQUASH AND ROASTED MUSHROOMS WITH THYME

Steps:

• Stir together oil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss squash with 2 tablespoons thyme oil in a shallow baking pan (1/2 to 1 inch deep) and arrange in 1 layer. Toss mushrooms with remaining 1/4 cup thyme oil in another shallow baking pan (1/2 to 1 inch deep) and arrange in 1 layer. Roast squash and mushrooms, stirring occasionally and switching position of pans halfway through roasting, until vegetables are tender and liquid mushrooms give off is evaporated, 25 to 30 minutes.

DELICATA SQUASH SALAD WITH KALE AND CRANBERRY BEANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut squashes into 1/2-inch-thick semicircles. Toss with 1 teaspoon oil, and spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until just tender, 15 to 18 minutes. Mix together balsamic vinegar and honey. Brush some of the mixture onto squash slices; reserve remaining mixture. Bake for 5 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, place kale in a large bowl. Heat remaining tablespoon oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic, and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add red-wine vinegar and remaining vinegar-honey mixture to saucepan, and bring to a boil. Immediately pour hot dressing over kale, and sprinkle with salt. Season with pepper. Add squash and beans. Cover with plastic, and let stand for 5 minutes. Toss until kale wilts slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.