Fall is a fun time for families - picking apples, selecting pumpkins, and celebrating the garden harvest is a fantastic way to get your child involved in the kitchen and cooking with you. Use these colorful days of autumn to focus on the harvest and enjoy the sweet and spicy aromas of fall that can fill your kitchen on a cool autumn day!
Squash that is harvested in the fall is known as winter squash. Winter squash tends to include darker varieties such as pumpkin, spaghetti squash, acorn squash and butternut squash. Qualities to look for when choosing a winter squash:
- Select a squash that has a deep color and is heavy for its size.
- Skin that is easily nicked or scraped with a fingernail means that the squash did not reach maturity.
- Stem should be firm, rounded, and dry.
Winter squash has a long shelf life and if kept in a cool, dry place between 55 and 60°F, will store for up to 3 months. Cooked, pureed squash can be frozen and used later for soups, sauces, or stews.
Photo provided by Cami Wells
Apple Filled Squash
- 1 acorn or carnival squash (about 1 pound)
- 1 medium apple
- 2 teaspoons melted butter or margarine
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- Dash ground cloves
Directions:
- Wash hands with soap and water. Heat oven to 350°F. Coat a 1-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
- Scrub squash with a clean vegetable brush under running water. Halve squash and remove seeds. Place halves, skin side up, in dish and cover; bake 30 minutes.
- Gently rub apple under cold running water. Peel, core and chop apple. In medium bowl, combine apple, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Turn cut sides of acorn squash up; top with apple mixture. Cover and bake 30 minutes longer or until apples are tender.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Nutrition Information:
Source:
Recipe adapted from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Source:
Seasonal Produce Guide - Winter Squash, SNAP-Ed Connections
