The key to enjoying dense winter squash more often is a time-saving ten or so minutes in the microwave. By cooking them first, you avoid the anxiety and danger of hacking a sturdy squash or your finger in half. Or, look for packages of ready-to-cook precut and peeled squash in the supermarket. After cooking, the other trick is to scoop the flesh into a casserole where it’s easy to char evenly under the broiler in a couple minutes. This way no one has to negotiate an unwieldy squash boat, and everyone gets as much or as little as they want. Make the casserole ahead and you’ll be glad come dinnertime. The trio of squash sauces shows how well squash gets along with a full range of sweet to savory flavors. One sauce is traditional—buttery and sweet with pecans. The second is a sweet-savory exotic beauty blending spicy chutney, dried cranberries, and almonds. The third, a savory tomato, mysteriously brings out the sweetness of the squash without overpowering it. Serve all three sauces with any squash combo and watch everyone duke it out for a favorite.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 6 servings
Ingredients
Sweet Squash Sauce
Chutney Squash Sauce
Savory Squash Sauce
Preparation
Step 1
PIERCE the skin of the squash in a few places with the tip of a knife. Place in a microwave-safe dish.
Step 2
MICROWAVE one squash at a time on high for 10 to 12 minutes. The squash skin should feel soft, but not mushy. Let the squash cool for about 5 minutes.
Step 3
HEAT the broiler. Butter a large ovenproof casserole.
Step 4
CUT each squash in half and scoop out the seeds. With a big spoon, scoop the flesh into the prepared dish. Drizzle the olive oil over the top and sprinkle with salt to taste. Broil on high 4 inches from the heat source until lightly charred to your liking, about 5 minutes.
Step 5
SERVE with the squash sauce of your choice.
Sweet Squash Sauce
Step 6
Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the pecans and cook over medium heat until lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Spoon the sauce over the warm squash.
Chutney Squash Sauce
Step 7
Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the almonds and cook over medium heat until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Spoon the sauce over the warm squash.
Savory Squash Sauce
Step 8
Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the onion and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until the onion is soft and beginning to brown. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Spoon the sauce over the warm squash.
