Winter squash is great. Here’s why:

1. Squash is great for keeping you warm in the winter
2. Squash is sweet but is very good for you
3. Squash tastes great in soups, bakes, mashes, stir fries, pies, even jello!
4. Squash is inexpensive and lasts
5. Squash seeds are AMAZING when you dry/toast with some spices

Here are three great recipes:

1. Squash Miso Soup

Peel a butternut squash, and chop into a 10 or so cubes. Save the seeds for toasting! Place 4 cups spring water and a few flecks of wakame, arame or dulse seaweed in a large pot. Soak 1-2 dried shiitake mushrooms separately to add after blending. Add squash and bring to a boil. Add one small yellow onion quartered, and simmer covered for :15, then use 1/4 cup of the broth and a few teaspoons cold water to make a miso paste with 3 teaspoons of barley miso. Blend the soup (immersion blenders are easier, holiday gift if you don’t own one!), and add the mushrooms and a small handful of parsley and dill, or other herbs (sage, clove and turmeric are nice). Simmer for five more minutes. Then add the miso mixture and simmer one more minute. Serve with garnished scallions.

2. Toasted Squash Seeds (pumpkin seeds even better!)

Clean seeds and toss any other junk. Spread out on a cookie sheet or toaster tray and bake at 200 degrees F for :15 to dry. Then spray with olive oil (optional), and add sea salt (optional), black pepper, curry and onion powder. Bake at 275 for :15-:25 or until awesome. Cool and eat.

3. Squash Kanten (like Jello)

Soak 4 Tablespoons kanten flakes (aka agar, a seaweed that can be purchased at Whole Foods or online) in a cup of tepid water. Place two cups spring water and one cup apple juice, as well as a dash of sea salt into a small saucepan and turn on the heat, adding 1/2 cubed butternut squash (no seeds). Bring to a boil and simmer closed for :10, then blend well. Add soaked flakes and stir well to full dissolve over low heat. Transfer to a brownie pan and cool at room temperature for an hour. Cover and chill to keep. Cut and serve or pour into a plastic container to take with you. A great snack after working out or playing racquetball!