Squash!

Ruth recently posed a question about squash on her blog. I couldn't identify the squash she showed on her blog, but while searching for info on it, I ran across a cool squash website with photos and recipes too if you dig deep enough. I thought it was pretty cool.

Squash

Next year I'm going to have to raise some squash. I tried pumpkins this year and they had great vines but only two pumpkins and the bugs got to those pretty badly before they ripened. I fed one to the chickens and the other one will go to them too. The hens like the seeds and they are a good de-wormer for chickens!!

It's that time of the year and Andy and I loveLoveLOVE squash!! Our fave is acorn squash and we enjoy it many times in the year. We bake that kind upside down in the oven until it's tender, then turn it over on a cookie sheet in the. Andy likes it with brown sugar and butter in it, plus some salt and pepper. I usually use a little diety margarine and some Splenda with a little salt and lots of pepper. It's such a good side dish and so good for you! We have it with meatloaf and corn casserole, baked pork chops with stuffing, or other dishes we bake. I love to make a meal that's all oven stuff or all grill stuff. It's nice to get the best mileage out of the oven or the grill.

My sister Marsha's in-laws grow the most amazing garden and they are so generous and share all their bounty. We recently got some butternut squash from sis that they had given her. She also gave me a very diet-friendly recipe for Butternut Squash Soup. I haven't made it yet, but tasted it and it's wonderful...I can't wait to try this one. Here's the recipe and if you love squash like I do, you'll love this soup!

Butternut Squash Soup

4c. vegetable broth (or chicken broth....sis made it this way and yum!)
12 oz. 1 1/2" cubed butternut squash pieces
1 small apple peeled and cut in 1" pieces
1/2 lg sweet onion, chopped
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
Pepper and salt to taste

Boil all ingredients until soft. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth. This could also go into a blender to be blended. May be served hot or cold.