Winter Weekend Comfort Food Rescue

Friday, 17 December 2010 16:00 Written by  Savvy Girl  

7 Easy Ways to Use Butternut Squash

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Butternut squash is one of our favorite savvy staples for cold winter weekends, particularly as we head into holiday home stretch and we're short on time.  Although it's not exactly a standalone flavor explosion, it has a malleable, velvety texture that can be pulled and prodded in any number of ways.  The result?  Rich, hearty, nutrient-packed dishes as comfort-foody as mac & cheese without the fat and calories.  Plus, it's so plentiful this time of year, stores are practically giving them away and they produce enough grub to feed yourself for the whole weekend.

Savvy Tip #1: Butternut Squash has such thick skin, it'll stay fresh in a cool, dark place for up to a month.  Just make sure to pick one without any scrapes or punctures, which will invite bacteria to dive in.

Savvy Tip #2: Butternut Squash is so copious, your best bet may just be to score a large squash, roast it in the oven in small peeled chunks and store in a freezer containers to split between a few recipes so you don't get bored.

The Best Butternut Squash: Seven Easy Ways


Spicy Squash Pasta Recipe via marthastewart.com
We've been making this dish for years and Martha's delicious combo of rich butternut squash, zesty chili flakes and smooth ricotta make it comfort food at its finest.

Curried Squash Soup via dailyunadventuresincooking.com
Another easy, savvy staple, this recipe makes at least 6-8 cups which freeze perfectly for take along lunches.

Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Galette via smittenkitchen.com
Smitten Kitchen is a little more dedicated than we, making homemade crusts, but if you're feeling lazy, you can substitute a store bought one and whip up this dish in a flash.

Whipped Butternut Squash via allrecipes.com
This three-ingredient side dish is a perfect savvy staple.

Butternut Squash Risotto via Ms. Chef
As good as a restaurant whipped together from pantry staples.

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese via Rachel Ray

Comfort food doesn't get any better.

Spicy, Low-Fat Butternut Squash Dip via suite101.com
Having company?  Why not treat them to a dip they haven't seen before?

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