A Better Winter Squash Recipe

Combining sweet and heat to balance the flavors.

Photo taken by the author

Winter squash comprises the more well-known vegetables, pumpkin, butternut, acorn, spaghetti, and kabocha. There are others, including Hubbard, delicata, Kuri, carnival, and honeynut.

Usually, we think of winter squash as a sweet dish, and many recipes will add brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey to bring out the sweetness of the squash and layer on more flavor.

But I suggest taking the squash in the opposite direction and pairing it with spicy flavors to complement the natural sweetness.

There are two basic methods of flavor combination. The first is to combine similar flavors or the second is when opposites attract.

In the wine world, this is why we pair sweet wines with dessert, but they also match with spicy food.

You can use any of the winter squash varieties in these recipes. They have similar textures, you will only need to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the squash.

Sweet Squash

In the winter squash world, pumpkin pie leads the tradition of combining sweet flavors. Turning winter squash into dessert and away from the healthy, vitamin-packed vegetable that it is.