Squash Your Guilt

My Grandpa used to joke about having all of the neighbors close their curtains and not answer the door when he was trying to give away some of the excess zuchini from his garden. It is true that squash tends to grow in large quantities, which isn't the the real problem. The problem is that people don't eat very healthy anymore and when they get handed a croookneck or a scalloped squash, they are clueless as to its vast usefulness. Well let me enlighten the non-believers out there. For my vegetable sermon, I will use Butternut Squash as my poster child.

Here it is January, and I just cooked up my last specimen from my early October harvest. That's three months in the pantry!

At my convenience, I cut a squash in half, take out the seeds and place it face down in a cake pan with about an inch of water. I cook it on a 350 degree oven about 40 minutes or until its done. When it cools, I peel off the skin or put it in the fridge for when I have more time, or put it in the food processor. I put two cups of puree in a quart size zippy bag using an awesome measuring cup from Pampered Chef that I splurged on. (They also have an awesome rubber spatula that can be used up to 550 degrees making it perfect for canning jam), and freeze it. That size package is 16 ounces, the perfect size for substituting for canned pumpkin in any recipe. A great source for recipes is http://www.recipezaar.com/. Just look up "Squash" and be prepared to be amazed. Or try the site for Libby Pumpkin at http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes. I personally love Butternut soup and pie. I also made sweet bread with three kinds of squash that was yummy. We also sneak squash in with our autistic and three year old sons food for added nutrition. My son Ben worships potatoes and all of their bi-products, so we try to mash something else in like cauliflour, carrots, acorn sqaush, etc.

My point is this: grow it, package it pureed and squash your guilt about giving your nutritious produce to friends and neighbors. Like a good neighbor, giving squash shows you care.