Christmas Articles - Seasons Change and So Can Tastebuds

Sorry no photo
by Josh Khan

Last Christmas was a weird experience in itself. First of all, as a college student you get a longer Christmas break because you finish exams early. So with a month of freedom under my belt, I decided to go back home to Manitoulin Island and visit my grandmother.

Now as an individual who is aware of what she eats, my grandmother does tend to try new things when it comes to fruits and vegetables.

At my first dinner back home, instead of making an ordinary salad, she had decided to eat this rather large and weird looking vegetable. To my surprise, it was a squash.

Now as a kid, I never thought much of squash. It just didn’t appeal to me (maybe because of its name). To be honest, I think I have never tried squash even though I have said I despise its taste.

Little did I know that at my grandmother’s that night, we we’re having winter squash for dinner.

Since not knowing how to prepare squash, I watched in awe as my grandmother worked her magic in the kitchen. She took one large squash, sliced it in half and then removed the seeds.

In replace of the seeds, she sprinkled pepper, salt and a little bit of olive oil. In order to cook it, she would then roast the squash in the oven at a medium temperature for about 30-45 minutes, until the flesh was tender. Ta-da! Dinner was served!

Even though I was reluctant at first to try it, the squash tasted pretty good. It was definitely a different alternative for dinner and is actually very healthy for you.

Winter squash is full of nutrition because it’s an excellent source of vitamin a, vitamin c, potassium and fiber.

But don’t mistake winter squash for the ordinary type of squash. This variety is different because it is harvested and eaten in the mature fruit stage, when the seeds within have fully matured and the skin becomes hard.

There are also different varieties of winter squash, such as: butternut squash, spaghetti squash and acorn squash.

But don’t the name fool you; squash is a delicious vegetable that’s easy to make and can brighten up your dinner once in a while.

If you’re interested in giving winter squash a chance, try these delicious recipes:

Whipped Yams and Winter Squash Casserole

http://www.recipeland.com/recipe/25517/

Winter Squash and Apple Soup

http://www.recipeland.com/recipe/25775/