 5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe. Despite this week’s climatic tomfoolery, we are indeed in the midst of autumn - and if the fall season means anything for food, it’s squash, and lots of it. Chef Tony Conte is the executive chef of The Oval Room in Washington, D.C. Conte arrived on the capital city’s dining scene after a stint as executive sous chef at Jean-Georges Vongrichten's critically acclaimed, three-Michelin-starred Jean Georges restaurant in New York City. Since then, he’s been cranking out Mediterranean-influenced modern American cuisine to the District's power players and food lovers alike. For Conte, the best way to celebrate autumn's most ubiquitous gourd is by squashing it into your usual culinary repertoire - and here's how. Five Tips on Cooking Fall Squash: Tony Conte If it’s soft, it’s rotting from the inside out. Blemishes on the flesh can be from how it was grown or they may have been bruised in transit, which doesn’t harm the flavor or mean that it’s overly ripe or unusable - quite the opposite. When shopping ask at the farmers markets or grocery store for the 'number twos.' These veggies (apples too) don’t look perfect but they are excellent for cooking and are going to be peeled anyway. And the number twos are far less expensive." 2. Make it hot We typically add dried chili powder or flakes, olive oil, and garlic before roasting in the oven. You can serve alongside a steak or a nice pork loin for a great fall entrée." 3. Make it sweet 4. Don’t throw anything away 5. Don’t be afraid to experiment What's your squash specialty? Spill the beans in the comments. Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down. |
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Very good post.
This guy was 22? Hard to believe. he looks 40.
Squash is good but I find that this Roasted Chicken with Rosemary Butter recipe is much more appetizing... http://bit.ly/asdXSd
I grate yellow squash(and Zuccini if you have them) into a bowl with chopped onion and celery. Add a couple eggs and Stove Top stuffing into the mix along with ancho pepper, salt, and oregano. Make into patties and fry in oil(I use olive oil with some garlic cloves over medium heat-garlic cloves later removed) Absolutly great .
All time favorite soup:
– Squash Soup with Crispy Shrimp
Remove peel and cube squash. Saute cubed squash and 1/2 cup onion until lightly golden.
Boil until soft then puree.
Right before serving, wrap pre-cooked jumbo shrimp, cleaned and tails removed, in bacon and fry until bacon is crispy.
Remove to paper lined platter to drain off excess juice.
Re-warm soup.
Make a balsamic vinegar reduction (1/2 – 3/4 cup vinegar, boil until thick as syrup, do not burn).
Dish up soup into shallow soup bowls, add 3 -5 crispy shrimps in each bowl, drizzle with balsamic reduction.
Acorn squash – halve, scoop out pulp and seeds, put 1 t. butter/oleo and 1 T. honey (any flavor) in each half. Bake 400F. for prox. 1 hour, or until cut edges are well browned. Been doing this for over 60 years – it's the best! Even good the second day, heated in a MO.
we cut squash into 2 inch thick medallions – microzap them for about 60 seconds – top with whatever and then grill them
the possibilities are endless and you will be surprised as what you come up with
Can you clarify what you mean by medallions and which squash you're talking about? I'm not sure which way to cut and what it should look like. Thanks!
Here's a healthy recipe from the fruits & veggies more matters site that incorporates a lot of the flavors of the season, "Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash." My kids like it because it's got a nice sweet taste from the apple, cinnamon and raisins.
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id=35&iRID=128
I love this time of year and the food that comes with it!
ROASTED BUTTERNUT STUFFED WITH SPINACH AND FETA (serves 8)
Ingredients:
one large butternut squash
about a cup of cooked spinach
250g feta cheese
6-8 shallots, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
salt and pepper
olive oil
dried rosemary
Method
Wash the butternut and slice it in half longitudinally, leaving two elongated halves. Scoop out all the seeds from the lower half.
Sautee the shallots and garlic in a little oil until soft. Make sure you have removed as much water as possible from the spinach and mix into the onions. Heat through, then remove from heat.
Stir in the crumbled feta into the mix (reserve some for topping), season to taste with salt, pepper and rosemary. Scoop the mixture into the hollow of the butternut.
Drizzle with olive oil, sprnkle with feta and rosemary and wrap tightly in aluminium foil.
Place in the oven for about an hour, testing for doneness with a skewer or sharp knife. Serve when soft.
Delicious!
Butternut squash - peeled and cut the size of large french fries. Little extra virgin olive oil and salt & pepper. 400 degree oven for about 40 minutes or until soft or crispy depending on what you like
Spaghetti squash - after baked and inside soft. scrape it off completely, still inside the rind, add a tomato cut up and basil. cook another 4 or 5 mins.
Don't forget to dust the oven roasted squash or sweet potato (w/garlic, pepper and OO) with finely ground rosemary. Once they carmelize, WOW.
You can cook squash with 2 cans of coconut milk, strips of chicken or shrimp, one onion, green beans, garlic,salt, black pepper, red hot pepper, curry powder, a minced ginger and basil (its a Filipino Dish). Make sure to cook some rice too! God Bless and enjoy!
i like brown sugar on mine :)
roasted squash, black beans and tomatillo sauce with or without cheese is the yummiest combo ever.
Well, roasted squassh, topped with creamed spinach, topped with romano or parmesan is pretty yummy too.
"Add some ground chili (Thai, chipotle, ancho, or your favorite smoky and hot pepper) to bring out another layer of flavor from these sweet root vegetables." Last time I looked, squash grow on vines and are not root vegetables.
I think by root vegetables, the author meant sweet potatoes, as they creep into the article here and there, but yeah... a little confusing on the wording.
@ dieselddonx, couldn't agree with you more:) and the added benifit of pumpkin helps settle little ones tummies if not feeling well or having an issue w/ #2:)
And squash as a part of home-made dog food. Let's be kind to our canine friends – and they love it, in my experience
Besides the obvious pumpkin seeds, love using the pumpkin in dog treats:) (Yes I am one of those crazy nuts, but due to having furry children that have a wheat alergy, love using alternatives since less expensive). Dehydrating sweet potatoes as well for treats, and they love it!!! (Just bake for an hour, peel (the peel of the potatoes is bad for dogs, but the rest is great for them), cool, and cut up into small strips, and dehydrate. Get 8 paws up for doing this:)
Glad someone setting the record straight about roasting rather than boiling or steaming squash. By the way, I think you mean climatic tomfoolery.
cli·mac·tic/klīˈmaktik/
Adjective: (of an action, event, or scene) Exciting or thrilling and acting as a climax to a series of events.
Can you post how to roast an butternut squash, I have only every cooked in a pan of water until the meat is soft. Roasting sounds yummy.
and not a word about pumpkin or squash in sauces or as a baking ingredient. Mmmmm.
If you have a cold place to store them squash will last well into winter. I've found blue cheese goes nicely with roasted squash too and can make a nice hot salad by tossing with some greens or rework the same ingredients for a killer pizza! Fall is my favorite food season.
I actually like roasted pumpkin or butternut squash with butter. And cold yellow squash and bean salad is good in the summer. Of course spaghetti squash makes an excellent substitute for noodles.
From vine to a jar
A vegetable for Baby
Have wash cloth ready!
Cute!!
I like.