Delicata advocate

Five years ago, my husband and I had the opportunity to work on an organic vegetable farm. We learned a lot and ate a lot of vegetables. (And ice cream--wait, what??) The farm grew many vegetables that I'd never heard of. One such vegetable is now my favorite variety of Winter squash- Delicata. I am a Delicata advocate. People pass my table at the Farmers' Market and say any of the following: "I've never seen that?" "Is that a gourd?" "You can eat that?" "How do you prepare it?"
I love delicata squash because
1- the skin is so thin, no peeling required and
2- it's delicious!

 

Have I sold you yet?

Here is how I make my delicata squash.

 

Look for a squash that has deep green stripes and is buttery yellow. There should be a spot where the green lines are orange, that is side the squash grew on. Because you don't need to peel it, scrub it well.

(Preheat oven to 350 degrees.)

Cut off the ends.

Cut the squash length-wise down the middle.

Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds. Save for toasting or discard with the compost.

Cut each half into 1/2" crescents and then cut those into roughly, 1" pieces.

Transfer squash to your most loved sheet pan.

Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle on the salt and grind on the pepper. Using your hands, toss it all together, making sure each piece of squash has some olive oil love on it.

Put the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes. (Set a timer!) Using a metal spatula or [my favorite] bench scraper, turn the squash over. You don't need to get out tongs and turn every single piece, just be sure to move them around for even baking. Allow another 10 minutes and then transfer squash to a serving dish (if it makes it that far!)

Notice, I didn't add any sugar or sweetener. Roasting vegetables brings out their natural sugars and so I think that this squash is prefect the way it is. (I do make "Delicata Crescents" that involves brushing on a maple butter glaze... yeah, I'm gonna lie, they're pretty tasty...)

Please give this squash a try! It's so easy and quick to prepare. (And they're only a $1 at our veggie stand!!) <3