Enjoying Succulent Winter Squash

It's that time of year again..the time for tasty, succulent winter squash. Winter squash can be so versatile, nutritious and easy to prepare..it can fit into any meal plan. Plus, it fits easily into food budgets.

Do you ever get tired of potatoes and need a healthy alternative? Or...just want to experience a new taste sensation? Turn to winter squash..

Winter squash are nutritional powerhouses that contain minimal calories and large amounts of vitamin A, folate, magnesium, potassium, Omega-3s and B vitamins...among other nutrients. So, not only are you adding variety to your meal plan, you are nutritiously feeding your body!

Plus, if you're watching your weight....viola! This is the food for you! Winter squash contain rich amounts of dietary fiber that fills you up with few calories. :)

Winter squash fall under the 'Red and Orange Vegetable' category on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPlate website. Check here for more nutritional information. You will be impressed by all this vegetable group has to offer:

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/foodgroups/vegetables_why.html

Here's a recipe that I enjoy instead of..or in addition to..mashed potatoes. It is a hit with my students and friends, as well..

Quick & Easy Mashed Butternut Squash

3-4 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced

¼ cup onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, chopped

¼ t Italian seasoning

dab of butter or dash of olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Place raw squash and onion into steamer, or dutch oven with steaming basket. Cover tightly. Bring to boil over medium heat. Steam until you can poke a fork easily through the squash. It takes only about 5-8 minutes to cook.

Remove veggies and place into serving dish.

Add a dab of butter or dash of olive oil, just enough to add extra volume.

Sprinkle on garlic, Italian seasoning plus salt and pepper.

Mash ingredients thoroughly together with a fork or potato masher.

Add more seasoning, as needed.

Store any unused portion in airtight container in the refrigerator.

If you're wanting to cut back on fat, prepare recipe without using butter or oil. It takes just as good...

Butternut squash has a sweet, light taste all its own.

Enjoy!

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Easy Teriyaki Sauce

After running out of a bottled version of teriyaki sauce recently, I improvised and came up with a tasty...if I say so myself...version that costs pennies.

Thought I'd share so others can enjoy, as well...

Prepare your plate of food and sprinkle on as much soy sauce (low-sodium version preferred) on as you want. Take a pinchful of brown sugar and sprinkle on top of the food.

Mix all together. Viola! How simple is that?! Enjoy!!

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Using Those Large Cabbage Leaves

So, you have a home garden and are lucky enough to be growing cabbage. The outer leaves that surround the head of cabbage can become very large and daunting. Have you ever thought about what to do with those besides throwing them away? Here's a suggestion I came up with after talking to a home gardening friend. After putting the suggestion into play, I was very pleased with the results. So..it's worth sharing...

Use the leaves to make various versions of stuffed cabbage. Also known as rolled cabbage, you can choose from a number of fillings that satisfy your taste buds. Choosing from ground beef or turkey, cubed or pulled pork, diced chicken, tempeh, tofu or diced fresh vegetables with seasoning added always are some items that come to mind. Alternating fillings can add variety to your meal plan, also.

What's nice about the outer cabbage leaves (the ones surrounding the heads) lies in the fact you can make sliced rolled cabbage. Boil the cabbage leaves until tender, as you would when making any stuffed cabbage dish. Place on a paper towel to cool and drain.

Place an individual leaf onto the preparation area and spread out. Place the filling in a 1” row down the center of the leaf. Thicken the 1” to 2” for more filling and larger appetites. Roll up the cabbage. Cut into 2” serving slices and place onto serving dish. Instead of serving one person per smaller cabbage leaf, you can serve as many as the size warrants. Nice...Not only is it helpful on the budget, but can be an easy way to prepare a dish for potlucks, parties or family gatherings.

Good luck! Find interesting? Kindly share...