Rethinking Squash

Squash is everywhere this time of  year. You can get it in whole , in ripe globes and cubed in luscious cubes. It;s a perfect side to any meat. from ham to turkey to even seafood. It's also a rich in betacarotene and antioxidants which is a plus in this decadent season of rich nutrient empty foods  . best of all it's one of the most versatile to cook.

If you;re new to cooking squash  then start with the already  peeled cubes. This saves prep time as well as deseeding it and dealing with that mess.The best bet is cooking the cubes in boiling water. This usually just twenty minutes  or until the pieces are tender. If you want a creamy mash4ed side, add a half cup of either whole cream or for a lighter dish , milk along with two to three tablespoons of butter.You can also add margarine or vegan butter for a healthier twist. These cubes can also be baked. and then drizzled with melted butter and sea salt.

You can also use whole squash as a side  too. This requires either baking or even microwaving. The last is the easiest, especially if you're cooking a few other sides. One acorn squash can take up four and a half minutes., unstuffed.. Whole squash does take more prep time. It's just s matter of scooping  out the seeds and possible making slits in the gourd's flesh for better cooking. One you've done that you can think about what you want to do. Most just add some butter or olive oil along with just salt and freshly ground pepper.Rice is usually preferred, mostly a wild rice mixed with nuts and herbs.

Squash is a great holiday side. You can  use cubes or entire squashes  to create healthy tasty dishes . It's tasty and flavorful as well as being versatile.