Test Driving Recipes for Thanksgiving

Bay leaf and sage leaf from the garden adding their point of view to the soup.

It is 95 degrees outside today.  The sun is beating down.  I'm cooking up a pot of hot soup.  The butternut squash is calling me for its cool, dark storage.  Just a few more minutes and it is time to blend to a smooth, yummy soup.  If this "test drive" goes well, this little item could be on the vergetarian portion of the Thanksgiving Meal.

Butternut Squash--Round Two

Second harvest of butternut squash.  A quick wash at the sink to rinse off any dirt from the down side of the squash.  Next, off to the cool storage.  With the hot September we've experienced, no need to harden this beauties in the house.  Mother Nature took care of it already.

This round of butternut squash look less pumpkin-y than the first harvest and but not quite like the classic butternut squash shape.  Still bet it tastes great!

A Little Game Called "Name that Seed" See if you can identify these seeds--Answer at the bottom of post

A

B

C

D

A. Bean   B. Butternut Squash   C. Dietes grandiflora   D. Onion

From Peeling to Sizzling--Roasted Butternut Squash

Dewy drops appear after the first layer of peel is removed

The hardness of the peel is what gives this veggie storability.  Keep working.  It's worth the effort.

Slice in half.

All of these seeds is how this plant got its start.  I compost and every so often a seed ends up in the garden instead of the composter.

Before the first scoop.

I use a teaspoon to scoop out the seeds. 

And this is headed for the composter

Ready to dice.

Pan prepped with foil and butternut squash drizzled with olive oil.

Sizzling hot after 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Hardening Off the Butternut Squash

My butternut squash are spending two weeks in the upstairs hallway.  The temperatures are warmer in the upstairs and I am "hardening off" the squash.  This is a process where warmer temperatures (80 to 85 degrees) help the rind to grow harder.  This process will allow the squash to be stored for a longer period of time.  Once they finish their two weeks upstairs, I will bring them downstairs and store in a cool, dark location.

Here's the good news.  The squash vines are still active and I see another six squash growing on the vine!