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

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (3)

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

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (5)

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

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

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (8)

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

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

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (11)

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

10

Harvest Moon Kale Caesar Salad

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

13

Spicy Roasted Delicata Squash

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (15)

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

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (16)

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

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (17)

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

16

Roasted Delicata Squash with Chipotle Aioli Sauce

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (18)

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

It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (19)

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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

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

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 of delicata squash? ›

The delicata is actually named for its delicate, edible skin, so there is no need for peeling here. The rind of these cylindrical, striped vegetables is similar in texture to a summer squash like zucchini, and becomes perfectly tender when cooked.

Is delicata squash a carb or vegetable? ›

Delicata squash is a type of winter squash that's well known for its striped exterior and bright orange interior. Delicata squash's nutrition profile features various vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamins A and C. This type of squash is mostly made of carbohydrates, with little fat and small amounts of protein.

Is there another name for delicata squash? ›

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

What are the side effects of delicata squash? ›

As with any food, taking note of any unusual reaction, such as itching or swelling, is important, but there are no known problems with the delicata squash. However, because of its fiber content, too much could cause flatulence.

Can you eat too much delicata squash? ›

"Squash contains a toxin known as Cucurbitacin E, which can give the squash a bitter taste. If too much of the toxin is consumed it can cause illness. It is rare, but if the squash has a bitter taste, stop eating it, and grab another one."

Is delicata squash anti inflammatory? ›

Boost the delicious Delicata squash's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and insulin-regulating benefits with two powerful super foods!

Does delicata squash raise blood sugar? ›

The good fiber-rich carbs in delicata squash provide longer-lasting energy, more stable blood sugars, and fiber-driven heart protection. The bad fiber-depleted carbs in most processed foods, on the other hand, tend to cause spikes in blood sugar levels, which can trigger hunger and lead to food cravings.

Why is delicata squash so good? ›

Delicata squash, like all winter squashes, is a good source of carotenoids, nutrients that improve night vision and eye health. As vision acuity often decreases with age, it is particularly important for seniors to get enough dietary carotenoids.

Why is delicata squash hard to find? ›

Delicata Squash Defining Qualities & History

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.

Do you refrigerate delicata squash? ›

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.

What season do you harvest delicata squash? ›

In order to harvest the squash, cut it with pruning shears that have been sterilized, leaving at least 1 inch of the stem intact to the squash. It is possible for the harvest time for delicata to begin in the late summer and continue all the way through the month of October.

What month is squash in season? ›

Winter squash and pumpkins are generally ready to be harvested in early- to mid-autumn, usually late September through October. Unlike summer squash, which is harvested when tender and a bit immature, harvest winter squash when it is fully mature.

How long will delicata squash last? ›

Directions: 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.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Moshe Kshlerin

Last Updated:

Views: 6187

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Moshe Kshlerin

Birthday: 1994-01-25

Address: Suite 609 315 Lupita Unions, Ronnieburgh, MI 62697

Phone: +2424755286529

Job: District Education Designer

Hobby: Yoga, Gunsmithing, Singing, 3D printing, Nordic skating, Soapmaking, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Moshe Kshlerin, I am a gleaming, attractive, outstanding, pleasant, delightful, outstanding, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.