Delicata Squash has certainly earned it’s name as a type of food delicacy when it comes to taste! However, if you’ve never done it before, you may wonder how to cook delicata squash on the stove.
To cook delicata squash on the stove, slice the squash into halves, toss the halves to a boil with seasoning, and cook them in a large pan with oil over medium to high heat for 4 minutes.
In this article, we will go over how to cook delicata squash in a step-by-step guide, as well as answer some frequently asked questions, and more!
🍜🔪 CLICK HERE TO SEE MY BEST KITCHEN TOOLS & APPLIANCES ⏲️🥘
How to Cook Delicata Squash on a Stove
Cooking delicata squash may seem like an intimidating task depending on your experience either with the ingredients or the stove.
Don’t worry: we can show you the best way to accomplish this so that you end your cooking experience with a delicious dish and a great experience! Check out our step by step cooking guide below!
- Prepare Bowl of Seasoning
- Cut Squash
- Toss Squash in the Seasoning
- Prepare Skillet
- Cook Squash
- Serve
Perhaps these 6 steps are all you need to get started, but in case you’d like even more useful detail, we’ll go into everything you may need to know down below!
1. Prepare Bowl of Seasoning
Before you start actually tackling the task of preparing your squash, you will want to get a bowl of seasoning ready, first.
This way, when you do have your delicata squash all cut and ready, the bowl of seasoning will be right there waiting for you!
The first part of this step is simply finding a bowl big enough to accommodate your tasty seasoning and the squash itself. It is up to you which seasonings to use, but we can’t recommend at least 1 tablespoon of olive oil and salt and pepper enough!
This will bring out the flavors that are already present in your delicata squash and give the veggie some liquid to cook in when it is ready for the skillet.
Some additional ingredients which can make your delicata squash taste even more incredible include 3 tablespoons of parsley, about a teaspoon of garlic or onion powder, and some sage, if you have the time to chop it.
If you’d like to go in a different flavor direction, keep the olive oil, salt, and pepper, but add in some cayenne pepper for a spicy kick!
When all of these ingredients are to your liking, combine them in a large or medium glass or stainless steel bowl.
2. Cut Squash
Now you can finally begin cutting your squash! In terms of equipment, we recommend a large, flat-bladed chopping knife.
Chop off the very end of each side of the squash to begin with and discard these. Then, cut the whole squash in halves.
Once the delicata squash is in halves, all you need to do is cut these halves crosswise again. If you’d like bite-sized pieces, it is truly fine to cut up even more pieces as well.
3. Toss Squash in Seasoning
This next part is not only fun, but easy, and will add great flavor to your dish! Drop your squash into that bowl of seasoning up prepared.
You can either use tongs or simply jog your bowl up and down in a tossing motion to get the seasoning all mixed onto your veggies.
When this is thoroughly accomplished and every side of your delicata squash pieces has some of that yummy olive oil and seasoning on it, you can move on.
4. Prepare Skillet
Next, prepare your skillet. When considering equipment, we recommend a large to medium-large pan of stainless steel or even enamel coated cast iron.
It is important that the pan be at least this large; a small pan can result in soggy squash that doesn’t cook as crisply.
Once your skilled is selected properly and placed on the stovetop, we recommend placing a tablespoon of olive oil inside.
Then, turn the heat somewhere between medium and high.
5. Cook Squash
If your squash is in halves, place these halves face down on the skillet and let them cook for at least 4 minutes over this medium-high heat.
Then, flip them over using stainless steel tongs so that each side gets the benefit of the olive oil and crisps nicely.
If you chopped your delicata squash into more pieces, you will still need to flip them for the same results!
6. Serve
You’ll know that your delicata squash is finished after four minutes when you gently prick the largest of the pieces with a fork and find it to be soft and tender.
Don’t let these pieces cook any longer; turn off the heat unless you want to be eating scorched or soggy squash!
When serving, we recommend a last dash of garlic powder, salt, or pepper.
What to Serve With Delicata Squash
Delicata squash can be eaten on its own for the greatest health benefits, but it pairs very nicely with other vegetables and protein alike!
For example, if you have the time to sautee onions, spinach, and butter over medium high heat while your delicata squash is cooking, you’ll have an excellent savory dish.
On the other hand, delicata squash is delicious when paired with protein, too. Try baking chicken with similar spices for the best results.
Read also >> How Long to Bake Boneless Chicken Thighs at 375? (Do This!)
Read also >> How to Cook Crab Cakes on Stove? (Incl. Helpful Video)
Read also >> How Long to Bake Salmon at 400°F in Foil? ( Do This Before…)
How to Store Leftovers
Leftover delicata squash is just as enjoyable as freshly cooked delicata squash.
Squash in general retains it’s flavor quite easily, though you may have to refresh some seasonings like garlic or salt and pepper for the most outstanding taste when reheating.
All of this is only if you are able to store the leftover delicata squash correctly. If you’ve never done it before, no worries: it is a very simple process!
All you need to do is find a type of container that is airtight. Plastic tupperware works perfectly well, but for the best flavor integrity, we recommend a glass dish that comes with it’s own sealing, plastic lids.
You can also freeze delicata squash in these types of containers to preserve the meal for even longer amounts of time.
As long as the veggies are stored in 40 degree temperatures, as in a refrigerator, or lower, they will be healthy and yummy to pull out and enjoy again!
Ingredients
Delicata squash is, actually, an ingredient all alone unless you decide to add more seasoning to it during the cooking process.
Delicata squash is technically a winter squash or sweet potato squash, making it an annual fruit.
If you decide to use our recommended method of cooking delicata squash over the stove above, you’ll likely be using the following ingredients:
- Olive Oil
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Delicata Squash Fruits
Nutrition Facts Per Serving
When you eat delicata squash, you can be sure you are getting all the health benefits that usually come with eating one of nature’s richest foods.
However, here are the nutrition facts for a serving of one delicata squash, according to UCI Health:
| Calories | 126 |
| Carbohydrates | 21 grams |
| Protein | 2 grams |
| Fat | 5 grams |
| Fiber | 6 grams |
Delicata squash also has the benefit of being high in fiber, which lowers the risk of diabetes, obesity, and even heart disease.
You’re also sure to be consuming at least 500 milligrams of potassium in just one cup of the squash, aiding in blood pressure control!
Steamed Delicata Squash FAQs
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about delicata squash and how to cook it on the stovetop!
Do you eat the skin of delicata squash?
Sometimes when cooking other vegetables or fruits, one can expect to have to peel off the skin. However, delicata squash has a delicate, fine skin which is not only edible but a great source of fiber and flavor.
When exposed to heat, the skin of delicata squash becomes even softer, so there is no need to peel it away or avoid eating it.
What is the easiest way to cut a delicata squash?
The easiest way to cut a delicata squash is to chop off each end of the squash, then set the squash up on the flat ends for stability.
Then slice the squash in half, lengthwise, from there!
How do you know when delicata is done?
You’ll know that your delicata squash is done after cooking over medium-high heat for 4 minutes by poking it with a fork.
If the fork slides into the piece of squash with no trouble, it is tender and ready to be eaten!
3 ways to cook Delicata squash gluten free low carbs >> Check out the video below:
In Conclusion
In conclusion, delicata squash can be cooked by cutting it into halves, seasoning it in a tossing bowl with olive oil and seasonings, first, then add another tablespoon of olive oil to a skillet over medium-high heat.
Drop the seasoned squash pieces into this skillet and allow them to cook for 4 minutes before serving and enjoying!
References
https://www.ucihealth.org/blog/2019/11/roasted-delicata-squash