Foodie Fridays: Microwave Winter Squash

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I recently discovered the quickest and easiest way to prepare winter squash purée, and I just had to share it!  I have tried growing butternut squash in my garden here in New Mexico but they do not do well - I would only get a couple of squashes and they were always tiny.  This summer I tried a different variety called buttercup squash and and had a bit more success.  I ended up with seven full-sized squashes - they are similar in size to an acorn squash but shaped differently (see above).

Now that I had my winter squash, I wanted to find the best way to cook them for purée.  At first I thought I would roast them, so I looked up a recipe for roasting, which recommended piercing the squash with a fork and microwaving it first because this would soften the squash enough to cut it in half for roasting.  I did this and discovered that one of the squashes actually cooked through completely in the microwave, so I quickly looked for a method for just cooking winter squash in the microwave.  It turns out that microwaving winter squash is the quickest and easiest way to cook them, and from now on I will always cook them this way!

Use this method if you are looking to make unseasoned winter squash purée, which is what I needed (use this purée in any recipe that calls for canned pumpkin, such as soups and baked goods).  Sometimes at my age I feel like I have pretty much seen everything, so I love it when I learn something new and prove myself wrong! 😄

... to this!

Microwave Winter Squash

1 winter squash (butternut, buttercup, acorn, etc.)

Wash the squash and pierce several times with a fork.  Put on a plate and microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes.  Remove from the microwave and cut in half.  Remove the seeds and strings.

If the squash flesh is soft, scrape it out of the shell.  If the flesh is still hard, place the halves back on the plate, cut side down, and pour 1-2 T. water on the plate.  Microwave on HIGH 5 more minutes.  The squash should soften, but if it is still hard microwave a few minutes longer until soft enough to scoop out of the shell.  Amount of purée will vary depending upon the size of the squash.

Note: If using smaller squashes, you can microwave two at once.

This 'n That Thursdays: The Best Cozy Comfort Foods from Trader Joe's

Santa Fe Trader Joe's

Even though there is a Trader Joe's in Santa Fe, I rarely get there because it is inconveniently located from where we live.  However, my husband went in for knee surgery recently and the hospital is very close to the Trader Joe's, so I stopped by there on my way home after dropping him off and checked out what they had to offer.  I found some absolutely delicious items that I just had to share, so here I am joining the many bloggers who love to recommend their favorite Trader Joe's selections!

Image from Eat This, Not That!

First up is Trader Joe's Harvest Chili.  Fall and winter are the best times for eating chili, and if I am not making my own then I want to eat this vegan version.  No need for toppings when you eat this delicious concoction, although I do recommend a good-sized piece of firm cornbread to mop up anything that may remain in the bottom of the bowl!  (I also tried the White Bean Chicken Chili Soup and it was okay, but the Harvest Chili remains my favorite by far.)

Mini Spicy Pumpkin Samosas are new to me, but now that I've tried them I find myself craving more.  I suggest serving them with Trader Joe's Chimichurri Sauce, which is cilantro-based but tastes nothing like cilantro - it is the perfect complement to the slight spiciness of the samosas.  I also tried their refrigerated Chicken Tikka Masala, which I found to be better than most prepackaged versions out there, so if you want to go full-on Indian for a meal serve the samosas as an appetizer and the tikka masala as the main dish, perhaps with a simple Indian kachumber salad and some naan bread on the side (I prefer garlic naan myself).

Image from Reddit

I am in love with the French Onion Focaccia Bread with Caramelized Onions & Cheeses available from Trader Joe's.  Serve this tasty bread warm with soup or salad, and use it to clean up the bowl.  No need for butter or olive oil unless you feel the need, as this focaccia bread is moist and flavorful enough on its own.

My love for caramelized onions is once again more than satisfied with the Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Tart, which is a perfect meal choice at any time of the day.  Oh my goodness this tart is tasty!  I served it at lunch with a pear, walnut, and blue cheese salad for all the fall vibes, and it really hit the spot.

We had our first real snowfall this past Saturday, and the temperatures are definitely starting to feel like late autumn.  For me, this is the perfect time for cozy comfort foods, and I highly recommend any of these options from Trader Joe's.  It's time to enjoy cozy season! ☕️🍩🍁🌰🍄🍂🍪🍵