It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (2024)

That tenderest winter squash is a pantry staple while it's in season.

By Christopher Michel
It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (1)

As soon as they start showing up in the store (or at our local farmers' market) in the fall, we stock up on delicata squash, and start breaking out our favorite delicata squash recipes.

Of all the winter squash out there, delicata are probably our favorite. Not only are they sweet and easy to cook, but the tender soft skin means that you can slice them much more easily than other winter squash — and you can eat them skin and all!

Like all winter squash, delicatas pair well with rich or sweet ingredients like maple syrup, fresh rosemary, and Parmesan cheese. Here are our favorite ideas with delicata squash:

1

Roasted Grapes and Delicata Squash Rings

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This is our go-to side whenever we have grapes and delicata on hand, especially when hosting. The flavor combination is so surprisingly good, it's hard not to go back for seconds!

Get the recipe for Roasted Grapes and Delicata Squash Rings.

2

Roasted Chicken and Winter Squash

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (4)

For a Sunday dinner that's shockingly easy, try roasting a whole chicken on a bed of delicata. The juices from the bird will flavor the roast veggies, making them extra delicious.

Get the recipe for Roasted Chicken and Winter Squash.

3

Squash Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette

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Though this recipes calls for acorn squash, delicata makes a lovely substitute. It's just as tender and soft, but has an easier-to-slice skin.

Get the recipe for Squash Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette.

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4

Smashed Squash and Garlicky Walnut Crostini

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (6)

Cooked until it's falling apart, delicata squash becomes an ideal toast-topper. Add a little blue cheese, walnuts, and fried sage, and you've got an hors d'oeuvre or the beginnings of a snacky supper!

Get the recipe for Smashed Squash and Garlicky Walnut Crostini.

5

The Ultimate Autumn Salad + Orange Maple Vinaigrette

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (7)

Rich roasted squash, crunchy kale, dried cranberries and creamy gorgonzola all dressed in a to-die-for spicy-sweet vinaigrette. This salad is good enough for Thanksgiving, and yummy enough you'll want to make it all the time.

Get the recipe for Autumn Salad at Dash of Jazz.

6

Rosemary Roasted Delicata Squash

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This extra-easy recipe infuses the tender squash flesh with fresh rosemary for a side dish you can eat like fries!

Get the recipe for Rosemary Roasted Delicata Squash at Marisa Moore.

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7

Wild Rice and Lentil Stuffed Delicata Squash

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (9)

For either a main course or side dish, this recipe balances savory flavors like curry and cumin with sweet pecan and cranberry additions.

Get the recipe for Stuffed Delicata Squash at Kitchen Treaty.

8

Vegan Delicata Squash Cassoulet with Roasted Garlic

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (10)

This vegan dish is the perfect meal to get your family through the chilly fall and winter nights.

Get the recipe for Delicata Squash Cassoulet at Rachel Hartley Nutrition.

9

Roasted Delicata Squash with Parmesan & Walnuts

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Pair simple slices of roasted squash with toasted walnuts and cheese for a rich-yet-simple side.

Get the recipe for Roasted Delicata Squash with Parmesan & Walnuts at Marisa Moore.

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10

Harvest Moon Kale Caesar Salad

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When it comes to fall salads, there's no shortage of kale concoctions in the cooking sphere. But this one stands above the rest.

Get the recipe for Harvest Moon Caesar Salad at Will Frolic for Food.

11

Roasted Delicata Squash Rigatoni Pasta

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (13)

Cozy comfort food, meet the most flavorful, fall-friendly addition. This vegetarian meal comes together in just 30 minutes, meaning you'll find yourself making it all season long.

Get the recipe for Delicata Squash Rigatoni Pasta at Familystyle Food.

12

Golden Delicata Squash Soup with Garlic Chickpeas

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (14)

The creamy, savory soup and crispy garlic chickpeas create a match made in pure fall recipe heaven.

Get the recipe for Delicata Squash Soup at Our Balanced Bowl.

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13

Spicy Roasted Delicata Squash

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This spicy-sweet side gets a burst of crunch from a sprinkling of pepitas.

Get the recipe for Spicy Roasted Delicata Squash at The Hungry Hutch.

14

Roasted Delicata Squash with Eggs

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Who needs to go out for brunch when you can make your own restaurant-worthy cuisine from home? And, because you can bet on love at first bite of these egg-filled squash slices, know that they also work for any other meal of the day.

Get the recipe for Roasted Delicata Squash with Eggs at Sweet Lizzy.

15

Delicata Squash and Tomato Gratin

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Sweet meets savory in this creamy delicata squash dinner dish, which only requires 15 minutes of prep.

Get the recipe for Delicata Squash and Tomato Gratin at Things I Made Today.

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16

Roasted Delicata Squash with Chipotle Aioli Sauce

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Step aside, potato chips—here's one healthy after-school snack your little ones won't mind munching on.

Get the recipe for Delicata Squash with Chipotle Aioli Sauce at Pretend It's a Donut.

17

Kale and Chicken Sausage Stuffed Delicata Squash

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Easy, filling, and deceptively healthy—this tasty trifecta belongs in the easy weeknight dinner winner's circle.

Get the recipe for Sausage Stuffed Delicata Squash at Little Bits Of Real Food.

18

Roasted Delicata Squash Tian

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (20)

Top off your Thanksgiving menu with a heaping skillet of roasted squash rounds, topped with Parmesan cheese, butter, and herbs.

Get the recipe for Roasted Delicata Squash Tian at Hungry Hobby.

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19

Sesame-Roasted Maple Chipotle Delicata Squash

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (21)

Crispy sesame seeds add a deliciously crispy texture—as well as a dark coating that gives this squash dish the perfect Halloween color combo.

Get the recipe for Sesame-Roasted Maple Chipotle Delicata Squash at Viktoria's Table.

20

Delicata Squash Quinoa Bowl

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (22)

Stuck in a recipe rut? Diversify your quinoa bowls with chickpeas, cucumber, avocado, and, of course, delicata squash.

Get the recipe for Delicata Squash Quinoa Bowl at Leelalicious.

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (2024)

FAQs

Why is delicata squash so good? ›

Unlike other hard-skin winter squash, delicata's skin is edible, adding a nutty deliciousness to an already yummy squash. But that's not all it adds: its skin is also rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Is delicata squash seasonal? ›

Delicata squash is available starting in late summer, through the fall, and into early winter. You can find it at most grocery stores, specialty food stores, and farmers' markets. Look for squash that feels heavy for its size without any soft or moldy spots.

Do you eat the skin on roasted delicata squash? ›

Always: Acorn, Delicata, Honeynut

Wofford and our test kitchen editors will leave the skin on delicata, acorn, and honeynut squash to save time, add nutrients, and reduce food waste. These varieties have thin skins that soften readily when cooked. Next time you slice a delicata into rings ready to roast, don't peel it.

What is the difference between delicata squash and butternut squash? ›

Its flavor is not as rich as the butternut, but is still quite sweet. The delicata squash has a moist, creamy yellow flesh that tastes and smells like a blend of corn, butternut squash and sweet potato. It is often referred to as the sweet potato squash. They are best eaten when steamed or baked.

How healthy is delicata squash? ›

Delicata squash also has a ton of potassium: One cup delivers a whopping 500mg of the mineral, which can help control your blood pressure. As with many varieties of squash, it's also full of vitamin C, which plays a role in the growth and repair of body proteins.

Does delicata squash raise blood sugar? ›

Its low glycemic index can help prevent rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, making it a suitable option for maintaining stable glucose levels. Moreover, the dietary fiber content in squash aids in slowing down the absorption of sugar, promoting better blood sugar control and overall metabolic health.

Can you eat too much delicata squash? ›

Toxic squash syndrome can result from continuing to eat the bitter fruit. Some of the most rampant symptoms and indicators of toxic squash syndrome include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Toxic squash syndrome can be so severe that it can cause swelling in the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and kidneys.

What is another name for delicata squash? ›

It is also known as peanut squash, Bohemian squash, or sweet potato squash.

Does delicata squash go bad? ›

Storage tips: Winter Squash is best stored between 55-65 degrees, however, Delicata squash does not store quite as well as heartier varieties like Acorn and Butternut. Place in a cool dry room in your house (do not refrigerate) and it should last 3 months.

Why is my Delicata squash bitter? ›

The higher the levels of cucubitacin, the more bitter the squash will taste. The most likely cause for a bitter taste in squash is due to an environmental stress of some sort, most likely a wide temperature flux or irregular irrigation. Either of these will create an excess of cucurbitacins to concentrate in the fruit.

Can dogs eat Delicata squash? ›

Dogs can eat any type of squash, but you'll want to make sure that you remove the seeds before feeding it to your dog. While a few seeds won't hurt your dog, if they eat too many, they can cause a backup in your dog's digestive system.

Can dogs eat squash? ›

Squash is an excellent choice if you want to feed your dogs fruits or vegetables. It's low calorie, high fiber, and full of nutrients. Squash should be cooked before you feed it to your dog to prevent digestive problems.

What is the most delicious squash? ›

  1. 1 • Delicata / Sweet Dumpling. These are the most delectable of the pepo squashes, often much sweeter than their close cousins, the green acorns. ...
  2. 2 • Kabocha. ...
  3. 3 • Butternut. ...
  4. 4 • Acorn. ...
  5. 5 • Spaghetti. ...
  6. 6 • Buttercup. ...
  7. 7 • Hubbard.

What is the healthiest squash? ›

In addition to vitamins A and C, butternut squash is also rich in carotenoid plant pigments and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and manganese. Like acorn squash, butternut squash can be used in both savory and sweet dishes, such as baked goods, grain dishes, and soups.

Why is delicata squash hard to find? ›

Although this squash has been around for centuries, It started gaining popularity only a few years ago. It was rare to find it on the shelves of grocery stores or in many restaurants. This is actually because delicata squash was once prone to mildew diseases in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Can you eat all of a delicata squash? ›

Yes! The skin of Delicata squash is 100% edible. That's the second reason I love this squash so much. It's so easy to prepare because you don't have to bother peeling it.

What is the taste of delicata squash? ›

What does delicata squash taste like? The slightly chewy edible peel is a great contrast to the sweet, velvety flesh, which tastes like a cross between butternut squash and sweet potato.

What is the best squash for eating? ›

  1. 1 • Delicata / Sweet Dumpling. These are the most delectable of the pepo squashes, often much sweeter than their close cousins, the green acorns. ...
  2. 2 • Kabocha. ...
  3. 3 • Butternut. ...
  4. 4 • Acorn. ...
  5. 5 • Spaghetti. ...
  6. 6 • Buttercup. ...
  7. 7 • Hubbard.

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