Ok, at the store yesterday I found Delicata squash. I just ate it for lunch.
Oh - My- Gawd!
This is even better than Acorn. It's got the most wonderful flavor.
This is Delicata squash. Find some!
Also called Sweet Potato, Peanut squash, and Bohemian squash. This is one of the tastier winter squashes, with creamy pulp that tastes a bit like sweet potatoes. Size may range from 5 to 10 inches in length. The squash can be baked or steamed The skin is also edible.
The delicata squash is actually an heirloom variety, a fairly recent reentry into the culinary world. It was originally introduced by the Peter Henderson Company of New York City in 1894, and was popular through the 1920s. Then it fell into obscurity for about seventy-five years, possibly because of its thinner, more tender skin, which isn't suited to transportation over thousands of miles and storage over months.
Ooooooh, yes. Delicata squash. I got some in a CSA box last year and FELL IN LOVE. So tasty.
Oh it's wonderful. I'd say it's more of a cross between butternut and acorn with just a slightly sweeter flavor. To me it doesn't taste anything like a sweet potato. And the flesh, when baked, is soooo soft and creamy.
I'm glad I grabbed two of them, I'm eating the other one soon!
This sounds yummy. I love squash. I am headed out later for a trip to the produce store. I will definitely look for it.
The only thing is, I looked for it on Fitday and couldn't find it. I'm curious to know the fiber content. I recently started eating the butternut squash - love it, even better then the acorn. I hadn't looked it up and figured it was similar in nutritional value to the acorn squash. Well, I finally got around to looking it up the other day, and lo and behold, the acorn squash is waaaay healthier then the butternut. Similar calories, but, and I simply don't understand this, the acorn squash has 9 gms of fiber per cup - the butternut squash 0. So, I'd be curious to know what the delicata contains.
Anyway, isn't it amazing the difference in the fiber content from such similar forms of squash. This one is also fairly low. But then again, so is the calorie content. I can't wait to be done with work and get to the produce store to see if they have it.
DailyPlate, I think...I googled it and looked at a few different places, all of which agreed on the cals/fiber (I never trust daily plate by itself, since the values are editable).
(From a seed company that sells delicata seeds)
Delicata is an oblong veggie about 8 inches long and 4 inches around. The rind is ivory with dark green stripes and flecks, while the flesh (surrounding a very small seed cavity) is a rich golden-orange. It can be baked, steamed, roasted, grilled, or even punctured and popped into the microwave for a quick snack! And even though it tastes so savory, an entire squash contains less than 80 calories, plus generous amounts of potassium and Vitamins C and B. You can't go wrong with this healthy squash!
From "Whats Cooking America" Squash Information Page:
Delicata - Also called Sweet Potato, Peanut squash, and Bohemian squash. This is one of the tastier winter squashes, with creamy pulp that tastes a bit like sweet potatoes. Size may range from 5 to 10 inches in length. The squash can be baked or steamed The skin is also edible.
The delicata squash is actually an heirloom variety, a fairly recent reentry into the culinary world. It was originally introduced by the Peter Henderson Company of New York City in 1894, and was popular through the 1920s. Then it fell into obscurity for about seventy-five years, possibly because of its thinner, more tender skin, which isn't suited to transportation over thousands of miles and storage over months.
The thing I really loved about this squash is the skin is so tender, you can cut into it raw. Much different than acorn or butternut, that you need a chainsaw for to get the thing open, LOL.
But still, to me it's worth the effort because I love acorn and butternut. But this Delicata...... wow, it's fantastic. And Robin, keep looking. I found mine at Kroger. This time of year there are many more different varieties. If you have a Whole Foods Market in your area, maybe try that!
Oh trust me, I'll keep looking. This squash sounds just up my alley. I don't really have a Farmers Market type place around here or a Whole Foods Market. But come the weekend, when I have more time, I will go even further then locally to look for some place that might sell it. I'm on a mission now . Of course, I'm thinking I'd like to buy a few of them, but I'm thinking with the delicate skin, they probably don't hold up as well as they're heartier skinned cousins.
LLV - Thanks for the tip about Delicata Squash, and thanks also to the additional enthusiastic posters. I'd never heard of it.
BUT, today, I found some at the local farmer's market. Bought 4 (2 medium, 2 small). For dinner. DW put one of the small ones in the microwave for about 8 minutes. Just ate it with a little butter - didn't need anything else. Sweet. Delicate. ATE THE SKIN. WOW.
Found them in one of our catalogs; we'll order seeds for next year.
Robin - I found some in our local market today. I'd ship them to you, but I'm sure that would violate some sort of agricultural regulation or something.
Wonderful Winter Squash
. Of course, I'm thinking I'd like to buy a few of them, but I'm thinking with the delicate skin, they probably don't hold up as well as they're heartier skinned cousins.
My first Delicata Squash
