Kimberlee K.

Honest question: did you know there is more than one kind of squash?

Did you know there are more than ten different types of squash?

Yeah, well, I definitely DID NOT.

But I’m learning. And if I’m learning, than I think you should be learning—if only because squash is a delicious subject that you (and your taste buds) should know more about.

First off, let’s meet the squash family as a whole:

There’s:

• Butternut Squash (a.k.a B’Nut)
• Kabocha Squash (a.k.a Kabby)
• Spaghetti Squash (a.k.a SpaSqua)
• Acorn Squash (a.k.a Ace)
• Sweet Dumpling Squash (a.k.a Sweetie D)
• Sugar Pumpkin (a.k.a Sugar P)
• Red Kuri Squash (a.k.a Big Red)
• Delicata Squash (a.k.a DC)
• Carnival Squash (a.k.a Carnee)
• Buttercup Squash (a.k.a Baby B)
• Blue Hubbard Squash (a.k.a Blubby)
• Banana Squash (a.k.a Lil Nana)

I haven’t met the whole fam yet. In fact, I’ve really only dipped my toe into the squash squad. But if things keep going the way they’re going, I think I’m on track to be invited to Thanksgiving next year.

On that note, let me formally introduce you to the squash I already scheme with. The gourds I’m already getting down with. The—okay no, I think two was enough.

Note: All squash pictures (squash snapshots? squashots?) featured below belong to Food Network. I got them from this article, where you can find more recipes and information about the squash fam—though no cool nicknames!

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First up, Spaghetti Squash.

SpaSqua was a love of my life I didn’t know existed for far too long. I’ve mentioned him in a previous post, but I feel it’s only fair to bring him back up—because WOW. I even have a folder on my computer marked “Spaghetti Squash recipes” that I fully intend on trying the minute I get my hands on another SpaSqua. In the meantime, here’s old faithful that first proved to me the spaghetti squash’s flavorful worth.

Spaghetti Squash

On my to-do list:

• Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai
• Barbecue Chicken Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
• Southwestern Spaghetti Squash Bowl
• Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti Squash

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Next, Acorn Squash

Ace was a squash I never thought I’d ever meet, but now that I have, I hope we never grow apart. Like any squash, I had to research what Ace was all about. How do I cut her? How do I cook her? How do I help her reach her maximum YUM? Enter this recipe stage right, which made all of my dreams come true. I made it without ground beef—because I forgot to buy it—but it was still delicious and filling and hey I feel healthy and not gross after I finished it. And I mean, what else can you ask for?

Stuffed Acorn Squash

On my to-do list:

• Acorn Squash Gnocchi

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And finally, Butternut Squash!

I think it’s safe to say B’nut got his name because of his similarity in shape to a p’nut peanut. It’s also safe to say their similarities stop there—except if you count that they both have a hard exterior and a delicious surprise in the center, but other than that, they’re really totally different. After sifting through a bunch of different B’nut recipes, I ended up deciding on this pancake recipe, because I was in a breakfast for dinner type of mood, and I was pleasantly surprised at how moist and delicious they were! The recipe was super easy to follow, especially after I followed this advice on how to get a quick and easy “butternut squash mash” for the batter, and I personally thought the pancakes were great with honey on top.

Butternut Squash Pancakes

On my to-do list:

• Butternut Squash Brownies
• Penne with Butternut Squash & Goat Cheese

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Y’all, just trust me on this: your world is better with squash in it. With allll the squash in it. And with fall officially here, it’s the perfect time to meet a squash you never met before. Tell them Kim sent you—some of them will know me.

Read the previous episode of Strain then Stir here.