The minute fall arrives, many people get excited for all things pumpkin spice and apples. However, Secret Ingredient is encouraging you to celebrate autumn with squash. There are so many varieties of squash that are in season right now. Two of our favorites are butternut and spaghetti squash.
Celebrate Autumn with Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is an orange winter squash, known for its sweet and nutty flavor. Most people think of it as a fall vegetable however it is technically a fruit. Because it is low in calories but high in vitamins A and C, butternut squash is a healthy addition to both sweet and savory recipes. A ripe butternut squash should be hard and heavy. Though you can eat this squash raw it is most commonly baked, roasted or pureed.
Soup is the perfect fall food! This is certainly our favorite take on the classic butternut squash soup recipe. The addition of diced tomatoes adds a unique sweet flavor profile to the smoky and savory cumin and coriander seasonings in the soup. Finish with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. This creamy squash recipe works perfectly as a side or as a meal on its own, and it pairs well with a tossed salad or fresh bread.
What is more savory than risotto? We love this Butternut Squash Risotto its the perfect comfort food to celebrate autumn. It turns a basic risotto recipe into a delicious indulgence that’s fit for company but easy enough for a weeknight meal. We like to serve this recipe as a side dish with roast chicken or pork. Substitute the chicken broth the recipe calls for with vegetable broth for a hearty vegetarian dish.
Celebrate Autumn with Salad
Salads aren’t just for summer. They’re a healthy, satisfying meal any time of year. Celebrate autumn with harvest salads full of the flavors of fall. The combination of hot roasted vegetables, sweet red grapes and crisp mixed greens with a mustard-shallot vinaigrette make this salad one of our fall favorites. Make even more hearty by adding goat cheese, protein or nuts. We prepare this quick and easy dressing:
- 2 tbsp white-wine vinegar
- ¼ cup walnut oil or extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp finely chopped shallot
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
Whisk walnut oil (or olive oil) , vinegar, shallot, mustard and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Pour over the salad and gently toss to combine.
Celebrate Autumn with Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash gets its name because you can actually shred the cooked flesh into long strands that resemble a super thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta. The squash’s popularity has grown in the last decade with people on low carb diets occasionally substituting it for pasta. With a mild taste, this vegetable can take on a variety of flavors. Be sure to purchase a spaghetti squash with shiny, pale, lemon-yellow skin. If the squash is white or green, it’s not ripe.
Courtesy of Feedmephoebe.com
If you enjoy spaghetti squash regularly or are a first-timer interested in giving it a go we suggest you try feedmephoebe.com’s Spaghetti Squash with Broccoli Rabe, Chicken Sausage and Salsa Verde. This dish incorporates so many great flavors from the spicy sausage, to the Italian salsa verde and bitter broccoli rabe. We promise this will become a part of your regular rotation.
And if that is not enough inspiration check out our my video for more reasons we love spaghetti squash and a great vegetarian/vegan dish.
Eat In Season with Secret Ingredient
We always encourage our clients to eat local and seasonal produce. These days you can easily find fall produce any time of the year. However, there are definitely benefits to eating seasonally. Freshly picked, local produce typically has better flavor and is more nutrient-dense.
Do you want to eat more seasonally and healthier? Secret Ingredient can help include seasonal ingredients in your daily diet plus handle the food shopping. If that doesn’t sound like a win, win we don’t know what does. Let Secret Ingredient personal chef service prepare our seasonal, fresh and delicious meals that will surely have you and your family excited for dinnertime. Contact us today for more information about our personal chef services.
Cheers,
