I don’t know how this beaut escaped my taste buds for so long, but now that I’ve found it, I’m not letting it go.
This squash just blew my former #1 (butternut) way out of the water.
Dear Mr. Butternut squash,
You were good to me for a while. You stood the test of time as I experimented with various other squash varieties. Acorn had nothing on you, pumpkins were a close call, but in the end you prevailed. Spaghetti squash are fun to play with, but can’t stand alone. Even the much adored Kabocha didn’t stand up to your sweet orange flesh. Alas, delicata squash has now dethroned you. Please understand, it’s me, not you.
Sincerely yours,
Elise
Talk about low maintenance!! All I did was chop, sprinkle with S&P, and steam them until they were tender (tested with a fork).
These were the literally sweetest gourd I have ever experienced.
I packed them in a work lunch along with some other goodies, including a completely unedited salad and a few bars.
I can hardly even remember everything in this, but I’m fairly certain it was spinach, red bell peppers, steamed asparagus, carrots, raisins, and pepitas.
For those who have asked, I steam my veggies (like asparagus, carrots, broccoli, etc.) first, and then let them cool before adding them to my salads. I try to do massive food prepping on my days off, which includes steaming a sh!t ton of veggies and tupperware-ing them up for the work week to come. So that helps me throw salads together the night before work. Sometimes having too many ingreds is overwhelming though, and they lead to salad beasts like this one, with way more things than I ever intend.
Tim Gunn would hate me, when it comes to salad making, I don’t have an editing eye at all, but I still make it work.
My delicata squash was accompanied by another new food (for moi). I’ve been trying to spread my wings in the WFs bulk bins department, so this was my first time cooking millet. Not gonna lie, this was sensational. I will definitely be making this far more often now that I know I like it. It’s kinda like a grain version of cornbread. It was super easy to cook (easier than couscous) and has a soft, yet crunchy texture. It was great. I added in raisins for extra sweetness and it was perfection.
And in the spirit of trying new things, I have some new bars to review!
The cinnamon raisin GNU bar was like an oatmeal raisin cookie but not nearly as sweet. It had a “healthy” taste, if you know what I mean. It was good, but I like my bars with more obvious sweetness. The good thing about these bars is they are high fiber (read: happy hippie) and have beyond stellar ingredients. No fake sweeteners whatsoever. The only source of sugar is natural in the form of fruit juice. The company’s philosophy is very similar to my own…processed food has the “goodness” sucked out of it. Maybe I will give some of the other flavors a try because I love that cute little bird’s message on the wrapper! What can I say, I’m a sucker for good marketing, especially if it’s related to the effects of fiber… 😉
Newbie bar numero dos was another PranaBar. This time I tried the Apricot Goji flavor and it (again) blew my mind. I can’t even believe I hadn’t heard of these bars until so recently. I am a complete convert to their goodness. This company has taken raw, vegan bars to a whole new level in my opinion. The apricot wasn’t too strong, but it was definitely present, and the combo of all the different seeds, dried fruit and nuts knocked my socks nursing compression hoes off.
Call me boring, but given the success of my new finds, I knew EXACTLY what I wanted for dinner after work.
More millet topped with pepitas, more delicata squash, with chickpeas and steamed veggies on the side.
Why mess with a good thing, right?
Right.
I ended the night with a heap of apples with cinnamon.
I’ve never tried delicata, but I may have to now!
And dousing anything in cinnamon makes it 100x more delish!
Delicata is so good! My college roommate’s mother used to make it for us when we visited.
I have never tried or seen a delicata squash. I am officially going to search for one today if i make it out of this building to go grocery shopping! Your meals are so colorful, i love it! And those Gnu Bars are fantastic, especially nutrient-wise. Try the Banana-Walnut next, you shouldn’t be disappointed. How about i send you like 10 Gnu Bars and you send me 10 Pranas? Deal? 🙂 Apples and Cinnamon is a classic that never fails to impress…
i specifically sought out the gnu bars because of your rec. the only problem is that most of the flavors seem to have nuts in them…which im not a huge fan of (especially walnuts, blech) so im not sure, but if you think the other flavors are worth a try, i shall give it a shot.
ive found that foods fall into two categories: cinnamon or BBQ sauce. if it doesnt work with either of those, i have no interest in it, haha
I am also in love with delicata squash! It’s something about the texture and perfect amount of sweetness, now you got me wanting some. 🙂 Yummy looking dinner too!
I love roasted delicata. It’s such a wonderful squash!! Now I just have to pick one up at the store since you’ve inspired me 🙂
De-lurking to ask about the millet! It looks great and I can’t wait to try it! Any cooking secrets???
i went with a 2:1 ratio of water to grain similar to coucous. its really simple to cook. you can tell when its done easily and if you need more water, just add it in, if you put in too much, just keep the lid off so the steam doesnt collect and more water burns off.
I tried millet recently, too, love it! I would say that couscous is easier to make, but millet is easier than brown rice and I think it makes a good white/brown rice substitute.
owwww I’ve never tried the delicata squash! Acorn is currently my favorite…but I’m always willing to find a new fav 🙂 Love the combo of the millet, squash and raisins- I bet that was just jammin! So many great veggies in this post. I haven’t tried either of those bars- thank you for the reviews. Hope you’re having a good week
I’ll have to try that squash. The apples and cinnamon also look wonderful.
I LOVE millet! I try to rotate millet and red quinoa; right now i’m on my quinoa rotation. I’ve only ever found butternut squash over here so I’m yet to experience such joy. There are so many reasons why I need to move to the US… 🙂
When I find something I like, I generally eat it to death, until I can not stand one more bite. I’m a huge squash fan, so I’m going to have to keep an eye out for this variety!!
I need to pick up millet now- you had me at “cornbread” 😉
I’ve not seen delicata squash here- right now all I can find is butternut (which I can’t cut- how do you chop yours? do you peel it?) and crown princess which I have yet to try. I miss kabocha 🙁
What the hell cornbread. I NEED THIS GRAIN. Are you serious? Is it really like cornbread? I suppose I believe you.
I’ve never even thought to try delicata. I was just at the store yesterday and you have me wanting to go back already. Well, I do need some nut butter, too…
Which makes me wonder, how many times a week to you pick up food from the grocery store? I remember being in NY and wanting to stop in almost every health-looking food store. I spent way too much $$ on food. It’s usually worth it, though.
Hope your hump is fabulous! xoxox
I just jumped on the squash bandwagon. I’ll have to add delicata to my list of things to try! Haha, Kailey’s comment above mine made my laugh…it’s so true, living in NY there is way too much grocery temptation!
Way to branch out of your squash world. I’m proud! I’m almost tempted to attempt making this Filipino dish wish squash from your many love posts of the colorful plant fam. Also, what could be easier than making couscous?! Preposterous! Jk!
p.s. my sister’s roommate works for this company:
http://www.navitasnaturals.com/
We had an extensive convo about their products while I was in the city and I think I’m gonna try some of their stuff. I’ll let you know if I give them the brown thumb mark of approval…haha!
LOVE delicata squash!!! I discovered them about a year ago and have been obsessed ever since. Glad you found them too 🙂
Grocery list:
delicata squash
millet
Prana bars
Thanks!
coming out of lurking as i munch a gnu to let you know i’ve been a long time lovah of their bars. sad to say i’m actually a flavor and fiber member! judging on your typical eats (and by that i mean i’m completely guessing) i think you’ll enjoy the lemon ginger, cranberry orange, and chocolate coffee flavors. don’t give up on them just yet, the stats are amazing! also, randomly, i am a pediatric cardiology nurse researcher so now we have that in common with our fiber lurve. love your blog, keep on postin the good eats!
-amalia
ps, no hummus today?!?
See?? I told you (I think…didn’t I)??!?! Delicata is better than butternut any day–and cooks quicker too 🙂 YUM!
Courtney
squash is probably one of my favorite foods! i really love delicata.. did you know it’s also called the sweet potato squash?! my favorite type of squash is still kabocha though!
and millet really tastes like cornbread?! i’ve never tried it before by now i’m dying to! cornbread is another one of my favorite foods 🙂
ooo, ive tried lots of their stuff…try the cocoa powder!
Reading about your salad steaming adventures made me think two thoughts…1. I’m glad I’m not the only one who likes cold steamed veggies (I think) and 2. Your neighbors must love you the day you steam broc 😉
Your dinner is so colorful it makes me happy!
I was recently converted to the wonders of delicata too–so delish.
LOVE your salad combination–I need to find some asparagus ASAP!
GNU bars are definitely not my favorite but they keep me full forevs.. so I force ’em down when I have a long day of classes. The banana nut one is a little more tolerable if you’re willing to give ’em another shot. I also caught wind of a rumor that there’s an “espresso chip” one roaming around out there. hmmmmmmm. sounds like it has some potential, no?
I’ve never even heard of this beautiful squash! I can’t wait to try one – you’ve totally peaked my interest.
I also love that little bird on the GNU bar – however too much fiber makes me feel like I swallowed a basketball, so I’m a little scared – but the marketing is indeed stellar.
Love learning about new squash varieties! I would never have tried so many if it weren’t for blogs 🙂
i knowww you hate nuts but i HIGHLY recommend the banana one! its like banana bread 🙂 although you may not like? its just so good. cin rais is top notch
i did see somewhere that they have a new mocha flavor findddd it and tell me about it
love you apple heap
Love delicata! You’re right, it is superior to butternut. I threw it in this slow-cooker mole recipe I did some time ago and it was SO so good. And so low maintenance. You have a good prep strategy goin, steaming all the veggies in advance. You’ve got me wanting to try millet!
I havent seen delicata anywhere — definitely going to pick it up if I see it, sweeter than bnut? Sounds amazing to me!
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awwwwwwwww…sorry 🙁 i think various food items pretty much are the best reason to move here – ha!
thats what i do too…i have OD-ed on everything i adore at least 3 times. same thing with good songs.
i buy it already peeled and cubed because i have nearly lost a finger several times because of said chopping dilemma.
yes, i am serious. i dont lie with my reviews, this is legit one of the best grains evah. but the delicata was even more of a surprise discovery than the millet. so good!!
as for the shopping question…it’s sick really, i think i go to at least one market or another every other day minimum. i do my massive whole foods stock ups nearly bi-weekly. the UWS location delivers, so i literally go balls to the wall and dont hold back, thats the only reason i can last so long. the problem is i have TWO limiting factors…my carrying capacity AND the miniature fridge/no pantry sitch. cant wait to get back west.
its ridic. i spend $$ on little else aside from groceries, not out of necessity, just because i want to try everything.
hello amalia! thanks for commenting 🙂 you made me crack up with the f&f membership…thats totally something i would do, too – haha!!! also its nice to hear from a fellow RN. im glad there are people out there who are into research, bc its definitely not my cup of tea.
i guess i didnt have hummus!? weird 🙁 i definitely took care of b’ness the following day though.
of course you did! you are all knowing m’dear. if only you lived closer…
trust. the neigbz make far worse smells. this is NYC after all. people should be counting their blessings that the green stuff im firing up is only brocc.
me too 🙁 (sad/funny thing is that I still think it was worth it…hehe). I found kabocha today!
thanks to wikipedia i DID know that…haha. you can have my share of kabocha, i just want the delicata.
millet is very cornbread like in my opinion…definitely give it a shot.
i agree…espresso chip sounds dreamy. there are some other flaves that i think i will give a shot as well.
they arent super dense though, so its not like a brick sitting in your tum. actually, they are pretty light considering the fiber content.
i need the mocha one in my life right now.
i recently tried quinoa for the first time and didn’t love it as much as i thought i would (unless i dumped a ton o’ soy on it). i’ll give millet a try!
did you rinse it before cooking it? there is a bitterness that you may need to wash off. also, did you try it cold or warm? i prefer it cold, i think it has a better (and more taste-able) flavor that way…
Someday we will HAVE to have a meal together…
Love delicata squash AND millet! This looks like a Gena dinner, for sure 🙂
btw, i don’t know if you already visit this website but Heidi at 101 Cookbooks just posted a recipe using both delicatas AND pepitas! may be good inspiration 🙂
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/roasted-delicata-squash-salad-recipe.html
cool!! i will have to check it out. thanks!
i just tried millet thanks to you and i am in love. you were totally right. mine kind of turned out like a creamy oatmeal, but it was fantastic no matter what it was. yum! what do you usually put on your salads? braggs? and do you warm them up at work or eat them cold? i just got a steamer so i’m totally inspired to make more lunchies like you. they always look so perfectly delicious!
oh, and i’m trying a gnu bar tomorrow. can’t wait :)!
have a lovely day!
xox
Mandiee! This comment made my day – so glad you enjoyed the millet. To answer your question, yes, I usually just use Braggs as dressing. Also, I steam the veggies I use in my salads in bulk and then add them to the salads after they have already cooled. Since I make my lunches the night before I work, they are chilled by the time I eat them, and I like my salads cold.
Can’t wait to hear what you think!