There it is in front of you--a large round vegetable, filled with great taste and nutrients. But what do you do with it? This guide to how to cook winter squash will help you enjoy this versatile vegetable.

Winter squash isn't grown or even harvested in the winter. It does have excellent keeping qualities, however, so after it is harvested in the early fall, it can be stored and consumed during the winter months.The New York Times: Appreciating Qualities Of Winter Squash (November 14, 1999) Although related to Summer squash, winter squash differ in that they have a hard outer skin and mature seeds.MedicineNet.com: Winter Squash: Recipes and Tips

• Winter squash is an edible relative of the gourd.Purdue: Squash, Pumpkins and Gourds. There are a number of different varieties, of which these are several of the most common:Delicious Organics: Squash Squash Growing Tips: Welcome to Squash Growing Tips

Pumpkin

• A key part of Thanksgiving dinner, pumpkin pie is an American staple. Pumpkin is also frequently turned into sweet bread or soup. The pulp also can be used to augment cheesecake or cookies. Of course, like most winter squashes, it makes a wonderful side dish as well.Epicurious.com: Stewed Pumpkins

Acorn Squash

• The traditional preparation for acorn squash involves baking it with brown sugar and butter.Simply Recipes: Classic Baked Acorn Squash Recipe (September 15, 2005) It's smaller size makes it great for stuffing as well.All Recipes: Moroccan-Style Stuffed Acorn Squash

Hubbard Squash

• Hubbard squash can also be used as a pie squash, or served as a side dish.All Recipes: Grandma's Sweet Hubbard Squash Custard Pie That's My Home: Hubbard Squash in Sour Cream

Butternut Squash

• Whipped with butter and a touch of brown sugar, butternut squash is a great make ahead holiday side dish. Just reheat in the microwave!Recipezaar: Butternut Squash Puree

• Some winter squash recipes don't require peeling, but for those that do, it can be a challenge.University of Illinois: Preparing and Serving Winter Squash

1. Slice the squash in half.
2. Scoop out the seeds, and set aside. They can be discarded, or roasted later. For tips, see our guide to How To Cook Pumpkin Seeds.
3. Use a vegetable peeler. The thin-skinned varieties can be peeled with a paring knife, if desired.
4. Thicker skinned squash are easier to peel if you cut them into several pieces first.
5. All types of winter squash is also easier to peel after cooking.

• You'll need about a 2 pound squash to serve 4 people.Epicurious.com: Steamed Kabocha Squash Steamed winter squash can be enjoyed as is or tossed with seasonings such as olive oil, tamari and ginger.WHFoods: How to Enjoy Winter Squash

• Squash

• Water

• Butter, melted

• Salt and pepper, as desired

• Pot with lid and steamer insert, large enough to fit squash and water comfortably

• Chef's knife and cutting board

• Serving bowl

1. Place steamer insert in pot.

2. Fill pot with water, stopping at the base of the insert.

3. Set pot aside.

4. Trim off both the stem and blossom ends of the squash.

5. Prepare squash by peeling and removing the seeds.

6. Chop squash into bite sized chunks or slices.

7. Place squash in steamer basket.

8. Bring the water to a boil.

9. Turn heat down to a simmer.

10. Cover and steam until squash is tender when pierced with a fork, about 30 minutes.A Veggie Venture: Steamed Butternut Squash (September 16, 2007)

11. Transfer squash to serving bowl, and season with butter, salt and pepper as desired.

• The simplest preparation for winter squash is to slice it in half, scoop the seeds out and bake with brown sugar and butter. This preparation works particularly well for smaller squashes, such as acorn, where each person can be served a whole squash half with a lovely pool of melted butter and caramelized sugar in the center!All Recipes: Baked Acorn Squash

• 1 acorn squash, serves two

• 1 - 2 tablespoons of butterSimply Recipes: Classic Baked Acorn Squash Food Network: Baked Acorn Squash

• 2 - 4 tablespoons of brown sugarSimply Recipes: Classic Baked Acorn Squash

• Water

• Chef's knife and cutting board

• Spoon

• Paring knife

• Small baking dish

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.Simply Recipes: Classic Baked Acorn Squash
2. Wash squash.
3. Cut squash in half.
4. Scoop seeds out with a spoon, using a paring knife to separate any stubborn fibers.
5. Place squash in baking dish, cut side up.
6. Add about 1/4 inch of water to the baking dish.Simply Recipes: Classic Baked Acorn Squash
7. Place butter and sugar or syrup in the center of each squash half.
   • You can substitute maple syrup for all or part of the brown sugar, if desired.Food Network: Baked Acorn Squash
8. Bake for about an hour, or until tender when pierced with a fork.Food Network: Baked Acorn Squash
9. Remove from baking dish carefully, being careful not to spill the butter or break the skin.

• Pureed squash can be a simple concoction of squash and butter, or an elegant presentation such as Pumpkin Puree with Prune Swirl.Epicurious.com: Pumpkin Puree with Prune Swirl

• 4 lbs. squash, precooked

• 4 tablespoons butter

• Brown sugar, salt and pepper, as desired

• Food processor

• Mixing spoon

• Prior to pureeing the squash should be steamed, roasted or microwaved.

1. To steam the squash, follow the instructions above until step 10.
2. If you prefer, you can roast the squash instead of steaming it.NPR: Roasted Winter Squash Puree
   1. Preheat oven to 400 F.Simply Recipes: Classic Baked Acorn Squash
   2. Cut squash in half.
   3. Place squash in baking dish, cut side down.
   4. Add about 1/4 inch of water to the baking dish.Simply Recipes: Classic Baked Acorn Squash
   5. Cover baking dish with foil.
   6. Bake for about an hour, or until tender when pierced with a fork.Food Network: Baked Acorn Squash
   7. Scoop seeds out with a spoon, and discard.
3. You can use the microwave to precook smaller squash, like acorn or butternut.
   1. Cut squash in half.
   2. Place squash in microwave safe baking dish, cut side down.
   3. Pierce skin several times with a fork.
   4. Add about 1/4 inch of water to the baking dish.Simply Recipes: Classic Baked Acorn Squash
   5. Cover baking dish with plastic wrap.
   6. Microwave on high for 12 - 15 minutes.Washington Post: Basic Winter Squash Puree
   7. Allow squash to sit in the microwave, covered, for 10 minutes after cooking is complete.University of Illinois: Preparing and Serving Winter Squash Washington Post: Basic Winter Squash Puree

1. While still warm, but cool enough to handle, scoop the squash pulp out of the rind, and place in a food processor.

2. Add butter, and any desired seasonings.

3. Process until smooth.

4. Transfer to serving bowl.

• Food Network: Steamed Acorn Squash with Lime and ScallionFood Network: Steamed Acorn Squash with Lime and Scallion
  • This simple preparation is a nice change of pace for acorn squash.
• Epicurious.com: Pumpkin Flan with Spiced Pumpkin Seeds
  • Pumpkin flan , served with caramel and pumpkin seeds seasoned with cayenne pepper.
• CHOW: Autumn Squash Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter Sauce
  • This recipe uses squash makes as a filling for ravioli made with wonton skins.