Saturday 17 June 2023

Never too old to learn squash is NOT a sweet dessert fruit!

 

Having never in my life tasted squash until yesterday, and in my constant quest edging towards 100% veganism, I took the plunge. In fact I'd bought this curious-looking foodstuff a week ago, having heard so much about its benefits, but then didn't know what to do with it. Now all my life I'd assumed it was a fruit which, in fact, it technically truly is, but I'd assumed it would be something sweet to be incorporated into an after-dinner dessert  - no doubt because of associating it with what we used to call 'orange squash' or 'pop' ( which some still do). So yesterday, splitting it open and being surprised at how tough it was, I cut out some of the flesh which I diced and then put in a bowl, adding raspberries, blueberries and greek yoghurt. Need more be said? Yuk!!! Live and learn! Now so much wiser and, having googled said commodity, I shall cut up the rest, add olive oil, and roast it, to have as today's dinner with boiled cauli, kale and onion gravy. Now that should be better! 

 

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24 comments:

  1. Moving with Mitchell17 June 2023 at 01:23

    Uncooked potato tastes better and has a better texture. Enjoy the squash today!

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    1. Raybeard17 June 2023 at 01:49

      For a long time been trying to wean myself completely off white potatoes, and have nearly succeeded, but can't yet quite get into the highly recommended sweet pots which, apart from still tasting not as good, are nowhere near as versatile as the whites. I'm still trying.

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  2. Bob17 June 2023 at 04:27

    On paper your attempt sounds good, but knowing squash? Oh no. Best to roast it, that'll bring out some sweetness.

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    1. Raybeard17 June 2023 at 05:32

      Should have consulted the internet first, Bob. But you know, win some, lose some.

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  3. Carol Caldwell17 June 2023 at 05:10

    Squash is really hard when preparing but roast it and it is lovely and soft and sweet.

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    1. Raybeard17 June 2023 at 05:34

      Sweet? I hope it still goes with my savoury dinner. I'll find out, now tomorrow, when I put in my Linda McCartney veggie pie.

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    2. Carol Caldwell17 June 2023 at 10:30

      I meant sweet like sweet potatoes not sweet as in dessert sweet. I am sure you will like it better roasted.

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    3. Raybeard17 June 2023 at 21:05

      Good. I'm looking forward to trying it later today.
      Still wish there were more things one could do with a sweet potato, or find a nicer white-potato equivalent that you can cook in a number of different ways. Maybe squash might fill in even just a part of the gap.

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  4. Elle Clancy17 June 2023 at 06:10

    I do enjoy picking up something at the market I've never had before, and trying it out. Have to admit I'm not a huge fan of squash, though, no matter how I cook it. I am very into stir fry at the moment; easy to make, and you can load up on any kind of veggies and fruits (pineapple!) you want.

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    1. Raybeard17 June 2023 at 07:42

      Elle, my biggest determinant in choosing what food is health and losing weight in my diabetic condition to the extent that I want to see if I can reverse it or, at the very least, to reduce the medication. That is the reason I wanted to try squash, strongly recommended as an aid in getting there.
      I too like stir-fry, which has to be in extra virgin olive oil. Never tried it with fruit, though. However, your menton of pineapple makes me say that that is one of several no-nos for me, due to the diabetes.

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  5. Sadie J18 June 2023 at 15:55

    I love squash. Add some course salt to it, along with the olive oil, before roasting. It's so good. Butternut squash also makes a good cream soup.

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    1. Raybeard18 June 2023 at 21:41

      After trying it yesterday it was okay but for me rather too much of a hassle to want it regularly. Your saying to add salt to it before roasting sounds like that might make it a bit more interesting than it turned out so I'll definitely do that next time, whenever that is. Thanks for the suggestion.

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  6. Ur-spo18 June 2023 at 17:33

    Good for you! As a boy I hated the stuff. Now I know better. There are may types and many ways to prepare it. Lovely! I think of it mostly as an autumn item.

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    1. Raybeard18 June 2023 at 21:44

      Many ways to prepare? I'll have to investigate. After yesterday's cutting off that tough skin and extracting the seeds, when it was all done and cooked, then tasting it I wondered if it all had been worth it. But I won't give up entirely - at least not just yet.

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  7. Old Lurker20 June 2023 at 04:24

    There's no need to peel the skin until after the squash has been roasted. I made that mistake my first time too. It is helpful to cut the squash in half and scoop out seeds with a spoon, but even this is not necessary -- you can do this afterwards too.

    Having said that, I do not think of squash is a particularly good diabetic food. It is probably better than potatoes. Some varieties of squash are definitely starchier than others.

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    1. Raybeard20 June 2023 at 06:39

      Thanks. I'll try roasting an entire, unpeeled half next time.
      The only reason I tried squash at all was because from several YouTube medic-shorts, it seems to be specially beneficial for we diabetics. If, the next time I cook one, I'm still not amoured with the result I'll probably ditch the idea - or maybe at least try varieties other than butternut. However, I do still now miss potatoes greatly.

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  8. Blobby20 June 2023 at 16:44

    Yuk is right. And I think you're understating it.

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    1. Raybeard20 June 2023 at 21:44

      Well, I'll not be trying THAT combination again. :-)

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  9. Mistress Maddie21 June 2023 at 19:42

    In the autumn I make a lovely butternut squash soup. It is delish. Our dear Anne Marie use to love when I'd make it. And it had just a pinch of pepper and a dash of bourbon in it. Great tasting in colder months.

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    1. Raybeard22 June 2023 at 00:53

      Good for you. However, I'm afraid that 'making' a soup, ANY soup, is alien to me, it having to come out of a tin or a packet, and till I see such a one available it'll remain out of reach. I'd also have to eschew in your recipe that 'dash of bourbon' as I'm now TTT, but otherwise it does sound very tempting indeed.

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  10. John Going Gently22 June 2023 at 14:14

    Yes they make lovely soup with a. Bit of chilli

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    1. Raybeard23 June 2023 at 00:44

      I've no interest in making ANY soup, JayGee, so until it comes ready-made in a can it'll have to remain an 'unknown' here.

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  11. Breenlantern9 July 2023 at 10:39

    Squash is wonderful; when COOKED! LOL. I believe you will love it roasted.


    Sassybear
    https://idleeyesandadormy.com/

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    1. Raybeard9 July 2023 at 22:19

      I bought one, my second one ever, on Friday, S/b, but haven't yet decided what to do with it. Will consider your suggestion, thanks.

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