October 27, 2010

Roasted Delicata Squash with Apples and Garlic

Somehow, it took 32 years for delicata squash to enter my life. Perhaps I've eaten it before, but given how amazing it is, it seems like I would have remembered it. In any case, I pulled into the Yakima Fruit Mar
ket 2 weeks ago on a whim and was browsing around in the mood to buy some beautiful produce. I picked up some mini-sweet pumpkins, a carton of figs, some fragrant onions... and a few squash. I put them back as I passed the delicatas and took those instead. The lady at the register said they're a staff favorite. I roasted them, we ate them, and I couldn't believe something so terrifically delicious had come out of my oven with so little effort. A week later I attended a PCC harvest cooking class - they served roasted delicata as an appetizer. Now these little squashes were gaining my serious attention. I learned their names, how to cook them, how to grow them. I'm really excited about this squash! We've since had th
em roasted, stuffed, on pizza, and in soup. What makes them so awesome is that they're a perfect balance between delicate and hearty, earthy and smooth, buttery and ultra nutritious. And when you add the apples and garlic, you're in for a massive treat. You can also eat the skin...and enjoy it. In short, if you see these for sale, buy them and eat them. Your body will love you for it.

Serves 4.
Makes excellent leftovers.

4 delicata squash
1 apple (I used honey crisp), cored and sliced
4 cloves of garlic, sliced
Olive oil
Sea salt
Freshly ground pepper

  1. Preheat your oven to 400F / 200C. Line baking trays with foil.
  2. Wash the squash and pat it dry (for safety when cutting).
  3. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and remove the 'guts' with a spoon.
  4. Arrange squash onto tray, cut side up.
  5. Brush generously with oil.
  6. Divide apple and garlic slices between the quash halves, placing them inside. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  7. Bake until very tender (test with a fork), about 45 minutes.
  8. If using for another dish, like pizza or soup, allow to cool. Otherwise, serve immediately.

3 comments:

Amy and Jason said...

mmmm....I'm trying this out! Never heard of Delicata either...looks good.

Amanda Ream said...

made this again tonight, so easy and so good! Thanks Melissa!

Unknown said...

I don't know what this squash is, but I'm trying it!