Squash Soup with Thai Spices

2 acorn squash, pumpkins, or other smallish winter squash
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 14-ounce can coconut milk
1 teaspoon (or more) red Thai curry paste
Water
2 teaspoons fine grain sea salt (or to taste)
 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and place the oven racks in the middle.

Carefully cut each squash/pumpkin into halves (or quarters). Slather each piece of squash with butter, sprinkle generously with salt, place on a baking sheet skin sides down, and place in the oven. Roast an hour or until the squash is tender throughout. When the pumpkin/squash are cool enough to handle scoop it into a large pot over medium high heat. Add the coconut milk and curry paste and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and puree with a hand blender, you should have a very thick base at this point. Now add water a cup at a time pureeing between additions until the soup is the consistency you prefer - a light vegetable stock would work here as well. Bring up to a simmer again and add the salt (and more curry paste if you like, continue adding to taste). Serves six.

Recipe from 101cookbooks.com

Savory Stuffed Winter Squash

2 med. winter squash
1/3 c chopped walnuts
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 c diced red onion
1/4 c diced celery
1 clove garlic minced
1 1/4 c Jade Pearl rice
3/4 c diced red pepper
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 1/2 c boiling water
1 tbsp fresh thyme
1/2 tsp fresh sage
2 c grated gouda or cheddar cheese
 

Preheat oven to 400F. Leave the squash whole. Place them in a baking pan in the oven for 1 hr. until tender. Meanwhile toast the walnuts in a lg saucepan over med heat, stirring often ~ 5 min. Add the oil, onion, celery, and garlic. Saute for ~ 5 min. until onions soften. Add the rice, pepper, and salt and cook for 2-3 min. Lower the heat, then slowly pour in the water. Cover and simmer ~ 20 min. Stir in the herbs. Taste and adjust seasonings. Cut squash in half and scoop out seeds. Fill the squash halves with the rice mixture. Top with cheese and serve immed.

From 'Gluten-Free Recipes or the Conscious Cook'  a great seasonal cookbook from our shareholder Leslie Cerier.

Acorn Squash Stuffed with Apples

There are many fabulous ways to stuff a squash - here's our first recipe of the season, which includes celery and apples, in abundance at the farm at present. 

Ingredients:

2 acorn squash (about 1 pound each), halved lengthwise and seeded                                              

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing                                                            

salt and freshly ground pepper                                                                                                              

3/4 cups diced celery                                                                                                                                    

1 leek, halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick                                                                

1 apple, peeled and diced                                                                                                                                  

1 teaspoon finely chopped thyme                                                                                                  

approximately 3 cups 10 old sourdough or heavy bread—crusts removed, bread cut into 1/2-inch dice                                                                                  

4 ounces vacuum-packed cooked chestnuts or raw pecans or walnuts                                                         

1/4 cup chopped parsley                                                                                                                                     

1/8 - 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk                                                                                                                      

1/3 cup vegetable stock or broth

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Brush the cut sides of the squash with olive oil and season the cavities with salt and pepper. Place the squash cut side down on baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes, until just tender.

2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add the celery, leeks and a generous pinch each of salt and pepper and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the apples and thyme and cook over moderately high heat until the apples just start to soften, about 5 minutes. Scrape the mixture into a large bowl. Add the bread, chestnuts, parsley, cream and enough stock to moisten and toss well. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Turn the squash cut side up. Spoon the stuffing into the cavities and bake until the squash are tender and the stuffing is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer to plates and serve.