{"id":16015,"date":"2026-10-06T07:05:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T11:05:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/?p=16015"},"modified":"2026-10-06T07:05:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T11:05:16","slug":"pumpkin-squash-not-just-for-pie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/2026\/10\/06\/pumpkin-squash-not-just-for-pie\/","title":{"rendered":"Pumpkin &#038; Squash: Not Just for Pie"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15271\" src=\"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AdobeStock_1274690587.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"3851\" height=\"2200\" \/>Why squash belongs in your budget<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>It\u2019s filling.<\/strong> Squash and pumpkin are high in fiber, so a dish built on them keeps you full without much meat.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It stores.<\/strong> A whole, uncut winter squash keeps for several weeks in a cool, dry place, so you can buy on sale and use it over time.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It\u2019s versatile.<\/strong> The same vegetable works roasted, in soup, in chili, mashed, or baked into pasta dishes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Canned pumpkin is a bargain pantry item.<\/strong> Plain pumpkin pur\u00e9e (not pie filling) is shelf-stable and works in savory dishes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15262\" src=\"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/field-of-pumpkins.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"720\" \/>Pick the right squash<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Butternut:<\/strong> Sweet, smooth, easy to roast, soup-friendly. The best all-rounder.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Acorn:<\/strong> Halve and roast; stuff with rice, beans, or sausage.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Spaghetti squash:<\/strong> Roast and scrape into strands as a pasta swap.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Kabocha:<\/strong> Dense and sweet; skin is edible once roasted.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sugar (pie) pumpkin:<\/strong> The one to cook from scratch. Big carving pumpkins are watery and bland.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Choose squash that feels heavy for its size, with firm skin and no soft spots.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div id=\"Overlay-tKpXBE7yFR8Q84NKL-Container\" class=\"Overlay-tKpXBE7yFR8Q84NKL-Container\" data-testid=\"Overlay-tKpXBE7yFR8Q84NKL\">\n<div class=\"no-outline-focus\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"css-b3rpds\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15267\" src=\"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/varieties.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1620\" height=\"1080\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Overlay-tKpXBE7yFR8Q84NKL-Container\" class=\"Overlay-tKpXBE7yFR8Q84NKL-Container\" data-testid=\"Overlay-tKpXBE7yFR8Q84NKL\">\n<div class=\"no-outline-focus\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\">\n<div id=\"Overlay-LArrGWL6bpCwrGZgv-Container\" class=\"Overlay-LArrGWL6bpCwrGZgv-Container\" data-testid=\"Overlay-LArrGWL6bpCwrGZgv\">\n<div class=\"no-outline-focus\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<h1 class=\"css-2c62j8\">How to cut a squash without a fight<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Overlay-yP9vwikwKzB3TdpPB-Container\" class=\"Overlay-yP9vwikwKzB3TdpPB-Container\" data-testid=\"Overlay-yP9vwikwKzB3TdpPB\">\n<div class=\"no-outline-focus\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\">\n<div class=\"css-b3rpds\">\n<ol>\n<li>Microwave the whole squash for 2\u20133 minutes (pierce it first) to soften the skin.<\/li>\n<li>Trim both ends so it sits flat.<\/li>\n<li>Cut in half with a large, sharp knife, scoop the seeds, and peel with a vegetable peeler (butternut) or leave the skin on and roast cut-side down (acorn, kabocha).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Or, for an easier but more expensive option, choose the pre-cut option from your grocery store.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div id=\"Overlay-N2CLqW5vQ5EqgMNoW-Container\" class=\"Overlay-N2CLqW5vQ5EqgMNoW-Container\" data-testid=\"Overlay-N2CLqW5vQ5EqgMNoW\">\n<div class=\"no-outline-focus\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"css-b3rpds\">\n<h1><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15266\" src=\"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin-soup.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1620\" \/><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Overlay-wNBDaqHne24gCnnjF-Container\" class=\"Overlay-wNBDaqHne24gCnnjF-Container\" data-testid=\"Overlay-wNBDaqHne24gCnnjF\">\n<div class=\"no-outline-focus\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n<div class=\"css-b3rpds\">\n<div id=\"courseContent\" role=\"main\">\n<div class=\"koan-video-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"koan-video-interactions\">\n<div class=\"koan-interactions\">\n<div id=\"Overlay-ZqTzz2BBCqTdpLiR4-Container\" class=\"Overlay-ZqTzz2BBCqTdpLiR4-Container\" data-testid=\"Overlay-ZqTzz2BBCqTdpLiR4\">\n<div class=\"no-outline-focus\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<h1 class=\"css-b3rpds\">More ways to use it<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Soup:<\/strong> Simmer roasted squash with onion and broth, then blend.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Mash:<\/strong> Swap some of the potatoes for squash.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Pasta:<\/strong> Toss roasted cubes with pasta, garlic, and a little Parmesan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Oatmeal or yogurt:<\/strong> Stir in canned pumpkin and cinnamon.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Seeds:<\/strong> Rinse, dry, toss with oil and salt, and roast at 325\u00b0F for 15\u201320 minutes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Overlay-yP9vwikwKzB3TdpPB-Container\" class=\"Overlay-yP9vwikwKzB3TdpPB-Container\" data-testid=\"Overlay-yP9vwikwKzB3TdpPB\">\n<div class=\"no-outline-focus\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\">\n<div class=\"css-b3rpds\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15269\" src=\"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/vecteezy_sliced-pumpkin-dessert-with-cinnamon-sticks-on-a-plate_69171510.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"3000\" height=\"1686\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"Overlay-5WErC3F9XiAxBryqG-Container\" class=\"Overlay-5WErC3F9XiAxBryqG-Container\" data-testid=\"Overlay-5WErC3F9XiAxBryqG\">\n<div class=\"no-outline-focus\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\">\n<div class=\"css-b3rpds\">\n<h1>Storing leftovers<\/h1>\n<div>\n<p>Cooked squash keeps three to four days in the fridge, per general USDA guidance on cooked leftovers, and freezes well. Leftover canned pumpkin: transfer to a covered container and use within a few days, or freeze in \u00bd-cup portions.<\/p>\n<h2>Let DinnerTime do the shopping math<\/h2>\n<p>Add a recipe to your DinnerTime Meal Planner and the app builds your shopping list automatically, sorted by aisle.<\/p>\n<p><strong>This week:<\/strong> pick one squash, roast it Sunday, and use it in two dinners.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div id=\"Overlay-EyQoGKAdpK7RENb7M-Container\" class=\"Overlay-EyQoGKAdpK7RENb7M-Container\" data-testid=\"Overlay-EyQoGKAdpK7RENb7M\">\n<div class=\"no-outline-focus\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\">\n<div class=\"css-b3rpds\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-15268 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/vecteezy_colorful-painted-pumpkins-decorating-an-autumnal-garden-table_67728786.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"3600\" height=\"2400\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div id=\"Overlay-N2CLqW5vQ5EqgMNoW-Container\" class=\"Overlay-N2CLqW5vQ5EqgMNoW-Container\" data-testid=\"Overlay-N2CLqW5vQ5EqgMNoW\">\n<div class=\"no-outline-focus\" tabindex=\"-1\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"css-b3rpds\">\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why squash belongs in your budget It\u2019s filling. Squash and pumpkin are high in fiber, so a dish built on them keeps you full without much meat. It stores. A whole, uncut winter squash keeps for several weeks in a&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/2026\/10\/06\/pumpkin-squash-not-just-for-pie\/\" class=\"read-more\">Read&nbsp;More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7,1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16015"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16015"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16015\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16019,"href":"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16015\/revisions\/16019"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16015"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16015"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp2.dinnertime.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}