Squeamish Squash
Posted by in Food
My October issue of Martha Stewart Living just arrived and I was anxious to dive in. I happened to have a butternut squash, so I thought I would make Squeamish Squash, part of a Halloween menu. Scary name, but I like butternut squash and I like rice.
First you boil some thinly sliced ginger in 2 cups of water. Then add a cup of rice and half of a butternut squash that’s been peeled and cored and cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Add a tablespoon of butter and some salt and let it simmer. It sounded easy. I was a bit worried when I added the squash and it went far above the water line. I ended up adding a little more water. This took about half an hour to cook.
Here’s the bad news. It was inedible. I could barely taste the rice and the squash was essentially flavorless, even though there was a hint of ginger. It was like a giant pile of orange mush. I tried adding salt and pepper and even some parmesan cheese, but nothing worked. Down the disposal this one went and good riddance. Squeamish squash indeed.
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Agh. This one didn’t even look good! You’re fearless though, keep trying so we’ll know which ones are the keepers! 🙂
Thanks. I’m nearing the end of my one year Martha project and my daughter said to me that once it’s over, I won’t know what to make for dinner! I told her I will probably gain 100 lbs because I’ll make food I actually like every night.
I don’t know if I’d blame it on Martha this time. I’ve found that rice and pasta with butternut squash generally turns out bland and mushy. Cooks Illustrated has a version I might try because they claim they’ve fixed all those problems. Now that you’ve inspired me I’ll have to go rustle up the recipe.
I have an absolutely amazing butternut squash risotto recipe that is not mushy and disgusting, so it is most definitely possible! I don’t know why this recipe was included in the magazine if it is just tasteless and awful. I would be interested in hearing how the Cooks Illustrated recipe turns out.
Frugal Man does a fabulous pumpkin/butternut squash recipe but I could see how this would be just a bit too ugg.
I’d love to try the risotto recipe of yours, Brette. Sorry the squeamish squash was a bust. I hate throwing away food I spent time cooking!
I start with cooking pancetta. Scoop out the pancetta when done and use the grease to cook the onions in, then cook your risotto using chicken broth and water. Roast small cubes of butternut squash on a baking sheet until they are tender and caramelize a bit. Stir the squash and pancetta into the risotto and add small cubes of fontina cheese and a little sage, as well as salt and pepper.
sounds as though you were wise to thrown this out. but just a thought –sometimes when I find butternut squash that’s tasting a bit too bland, I mix in some spaghetti sauce and it brings out the squash flavor nicely.
Thanks for the tip!
Too bad it was a flop – but I admire you for trying!
Have you ever seen the show bones? I think this is what they use for their close ups on the grossest cadaver scenes.. LOL
You’re good for trying–even better for telling everyone about it. ; )
I’m glad you tried this first for us. I love a good butternut squash soup or ravioli stuffed with butternut squash, but you’re right, this doesn’t look appetizing. I’d also be curious about the Cook’s Illustrated take on this.
Sounds like this recipe failed in quality control and still made it’s way into the magazine. Yikes.
It is amazing to me how many bad ones there really are.
I just finished reading the October issue, and I couldn’t help wondering if all those wacky–and gorgeous–creations were actually doable, or even worthwhile. It’s a fun issue to read, but oh my god who’s got the time to carve/stencil/fold like that? Those crepe paper masks were astounding.
I don’t know either. We’re going to have a Halloween party and I am going to attempt at least one craft. I’m just so bad at them though.