Best Winter Squash Recipes

Greg DuPree

Boasting stunning shapes and patterns, and dressed in an eye-catching autumnal color palette, winter squash are undoubtedly some of the most exciting pieces of cool weather produce to shop for. Of course, once you have these gorgeous gourds home from the market, it’s all too easy to fall into a rut of simply slicing and roasting. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying deliciously caramelized chunks of butternut squash as an no-thought-necessary side dish, for sure; but these hard-shelled beauties have more to offer. From acorn to spaghetti squash, here are some of our favorite ways to make the most of winter squash.

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Instant Pot Butternut Squash

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Marianne Williams

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Recipe

Instant Pot Butternut Squash is the easy fall side dish recipe that everyone needs in their repertoire. This simple recipe is similar to your go-to roasted butternut squash, yielding browned edges and a melt-in-your-mouth tender interior, but made in your go-to countertop appliance. Make your own by adding your favorite spices and herbs to the cubed butternut squash.

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Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup with Chorizo

Instant Pot Chorizo Butternut Squash Soup image

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Marianne Williams

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup with Chorizo Recipe

This Instant Pot butternut squash soup is a perfect recipe for effortless fall entertaining. Deeply warming, this comforting Instant Pot soup is excellent when served with crusty bread and a green salad for a light entree, but also makes for a fantastic appetizer served in smaller portions. It delivers a delightful blend of textures and flavors in each bite thanks to the toppings that make this dish as beautiful as it is delicious.

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Greek Butternut Squash Salad

Time Inc. Video Studio

Greek Butternut Squash Salad Recipe

Salty feta cheese and olives are the perfect flavor balance to sweet, caramelized butternut squash in this simple, satisfying side dish. Bulk the salad up with rotisserie chicken and serve over bulgur, rice, or couscous for a hearty fall entree.

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Spaghetti Squash Lasagna with Spinach

Jennifer Causey

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna with Spinach Recipe

Bake the squash in advance to shorten prep time; squeeze the noodles dry, and store in a zip-top plastic bag in the refrigerator until ready to use.

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Roasted Kabocha Squash with Farro and Mustard Greens

Photo: Erin Kunkel; Styling: Christine Wolheim

Roasted Kabocha Squash with Farro and Mustard Greens Recipe
We love the play of savory-sweet flavors and big textures in this hearty winter salad from Rocky Maselli of A16 Rockridge in Oakland--and also his foolproof technique for cooking farro.

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Maple-Butternut Puree

Caitlin Bensel

Maple-Butternut Puree Recipe

Instead of sweet potatoes, try equally starchy, carotene-rich butternut squash for your next mash. A food processor will get the mixture silky smooth. You can also change the profile by swapping maple syrup and fresh ginger for a little ground cinnamon and curry powder or minced fresh sage and grated Parmesan cheese.

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Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables Recipe

A mix of colorful root vegetables may be your star side. Peeled, prechopped butternut squash saves time, but pieces tend to be irregular and small--we prefer peeling and cubing it yourself.

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Butternut-Kale Frittata

Greg DuPree

Butternut-Kale Frittata Recipe

Frittatas are some of the most efficient vehicles for leftover vegetables. Here, we combine roasted butternut squash with quick-cooking kale for a fiber-rich breakfast duo. A touch of dairy lends custard-like creaminess to the egg mixture.

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Orange-Tarragon Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Orange-Tarragon Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables Recipe

A mix of colorful root vegetables may be your star side. Peeled, prechopped butternut squash saves time, but pieces tend to be irregular and small--we prefer peeling and cubing it yourself.

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Butternut Squash, Kale, and Black Bean Quesadillas

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Butternut Squash, Kale, and Black Bean Quesadillas Recipe

Mashing half of the beans provides creamy texture and helps to seal the quesadillas.

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Black-Eyed Pea-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Black-Eyed Pea-Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe

Cutting the squashes crosswise instead of from top to bottom is easier, and they take up less space in the baking dish. Trim the ends so the halves sit flat and don't wobble.

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Lemon-Herb Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Lemon-Herb Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables Recipe

A mix of colorful root vegetables may be your star side. Peeled, prechopped butternut squash saves time, but pieces tend to be irregular and small--we prefer peeling and cubing it yourself.

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Fall Vegetable and Lentil Salad

Jennifer Causey

Fall Vegetable and Lentil Salad Recipe

We love firm French green lentils, but you can also use standard brown lentils. You're not likely to find a whole butternut squash that's only 1 pound; just buy the smallest one you can find, and use 1 pound of it.

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Sumac Hummus with Kale Ribbons and Roasted Delicata Squash

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Sumac Hummus with Kale Ribbons and Roasted Delicata Squash Recipe

This beautiful, nourishing platter needs only some warm flatbread and a pot of herb tea to make you feel energized to face the world.

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Mushroom and Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Mushroom and Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto Recipe

While old-school stovetop-stirred risotto is undeniably delicious, the pressure cooker also delivers astonishingly good results: perfectly creamy, al dente risotto without constant stirring.

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Acorn Squash with Wild Rice Stuffing

Jennifer Causey

Acorn Squash with Wild Rice Stuffing Recipe
This two-for-one dish of wild rice stuffing and roasted acorn squash is a sure crowd-pleaser. You can cut the stuffed halves into quarters so they don’t take up as much room on the plate. Wild rice takes about as much time to cook as long-grain brown rice, which you can use as a substitute. You can also make the rice ahead and refrigerate. Reheat with a splash of water before adding to the sausage mixture.

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Cheesy Sorghum and Shaved Squash Pilaf

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Kay Clarke

Cheesy Sorghum and Shaved Squash Pilaf Recipe

Long, slender ribbons of butternut squash make for a beautiful and unusual presentation; just be gentle when stirring so you don't break all those gorgeous pieces. Try to grab a squash with a long neck--that straight surface works best for ribboning. If you can't find sorghum, you can use farro.

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Butternut Queso Fundido

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Butternut Queso Fundido Recipe

If you prefer, you can roast a halved, seeded butternut squash at 350° for 45 minutes or until soft. Scoop 10 ounces of flesh, and use in place of the puree.

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Roasted Winter Squash with Honey, Tahini, and Lime

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Roasted Winter Squash with Honey, Tahini, and Lime Recipe
Almost any kind of winter squash can be cooked this way, including red kuri, which has a nutty flavor and a potato-like texture (red kabocha is similar but not as starchy) and mild, sweet delicata. All three varieties have tasty, edible peels, so there's no need to cut them off. They're good in stews, as a side for roasted meat, and in salads

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Fast Chicken Chili with Butternut Squash

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Thom Driver

Fast Chicken Chili with Butternut Squash Recipe

Rotisserie chicken helps make this hearty chili superspeedy without sacrificing rich, deep, and complex flavor.

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Ginger-Chile Roasted Acorn Squash

Jennifer Causey

Ginger-Chile Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe

Fresh ginger, red Fresno chile, and pomegranate don’t usually appear on the Thanksgiving table, but we love how they transform simply roasted squash into a dish with tingly heat and pops of color. Leave the sheet pan in the oven as it preheats to jump-start browning, saving roasting time in the oven.

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Roasted Butternut Squash with Sticky Walnut Topping

Jennifer Causey

Roasted Butternut Squash with Sticky Walnut Topping Recipe

Molasses complements the sweetness of the roasted butternut squash and gives the slices a deeply bronzed look.

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Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans and Sage

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans and Sage Recipe

For a delicious fall side dish, combine roasted butternut squash with pecans and sage.

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Creamy Squash Soup with Salad Topping

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

Creamy Squash Soup with Salad Topping Recipe

Some butternut squash soups can be too sweet; here, almond butter, lime juice, and slightly spicy salad mix-ins keep the flavors lively. For a heartier dish, add a few cooked medium shrimp (warmed first in a little hot water) to each bowl.

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Roasted Butternut with Sage and Thyme

Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Thom Driver.

Roasted Butternut with Sage and Thyme Recipe

Sometimes the simplest dishes are the best. In this one, butternut squash combines with oil, sage, and thyme for a can't-be-beat weeknight side.

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Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash

Time Inc. Video Studio

Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Recipe

This foolproof Instant Pot method yields perfectly cooked spaghetti squash in a fraction of the time needed to cook it in the oven. Cutting the squash crosswise actually makes for longer strands of squash, which is ideal when subbing the veggie in place of traditional spaghetti noodles. Top your speedy spaghetti squash with anything from pesto to shrimp scampi for an easy, nutritious dinner.

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Steak with Mixed Olive Tapenade, Butternut Squash, and Green Beans

Scott Rounds

Steak with Mixed Olive Tapenade, Butternut Squash, and Green Beans Recipe

This bountiful plate comes together in a snap thanks to savvy finds from the supermarket like frozen precooked butternut squash, olives from the olive bar, and spiralized beets (available in the produce section). If you can’t find the beets, you can add 1/3 cup precooked, sliced beets to the cooked and drained green beans. Cutting the steak in half will also speed up cooking; be sure to let it rest a few minutes before slicing.

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Butternut Squash and Swiss Chard Tart with Olive Oil Crust

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Butternut Squash and Swiss Chard Tart with Olive Oil Crust Recipe

To speed up prep time, roast the squash and par-bake the crust simultaneously.

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Skillet Squash Blossom

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Skillet Squash Blossom Recipe

The best part of this showstopping dish is the caramelized edges.

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Pan-Seared Shrimp with Rosemary Spaghetti Squash

Photo: Colin Price; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Pan-Seared Shrimp with Rosemary Spaghetti Squash Recipe

For a faster option, you can use an equal amount of raw zucchini noodles or ribbons in place of the spaghetti squash. For a heartier dinner, serve with 1 cup steamed green beans.

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Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi

Photo: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi Recipe

Pillowy store-bought potato gnocchi are a great stand-in for dumplings in this easy and comforting dish. Buy precut butternut squash to save time, but slice any larger pieces of squash in half to ensure that it cooks evenly.

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Greek Spaghetti Squash Toss

Photo: Colin Price; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Greek Spaghetti Squash Toss Recipe

Spaghetti squash is a great lower-calorie, lower-carb alternative to pasta. It's a neutral-tasting veggie that absorbs all the flavors of this simple dish. Eat with 1 orange or 2 clementines. Dairy-free option: Use 4 teaspoons toasted chopped walnuts instead of feta cheese.

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Roasted Butternut Squash with Coconut and Chile

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Roasted Butternut Squash with Coconut and Chile Recipe

For a delicious fall side dish, combine roasted butternut squash with coconut flakes and red chile and coat the mixture with a lime juice mixture.

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Baby Kale, Butternut, and Chicken Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Claire Spollen

Baby Kale, Butternut, and Chicken Salad Recipe

This bright, colorful salad features soft squash that is perfect in the fall for salads and soups. Bake butternut squash in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes. Keep a batch on hand for a side, soup, or hash stir-in.

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Butternut Squash Spice Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

Butternut Squash Spice Cake Recipe

Watch out, carrot cake. An intriguing mix of spices, plus coconut sugar for subtle sweetness, put this butternut squash cake over the top. (And did we mention the bourbon?) You'll need 3 round cake pans (8 in. each).

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Roasted Butternut Squash, Apples, and Figs with Sage Brown Butter

Sara Tane

Roasted Butternut Squash, Apples, and Figs with Sage Brown Butter Recipe

If you only want to use one sheet pan and make 4 servings, divide this recipe in half, and save the extra half of your par-cooked butternut squash for a soup, roast, or stuffing.

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Autumn Glow Salad

Greg DuPree

Autumn Glow Salad Recipe

This plant-powered salad delivers over 50% of your daily fiber and one-third of your daily potassium goal. Butternut squash is an excellent source of eye-healthy vitamin A and a good source of immune-boosting vitamin C and blood pressure-supporting potassium.

This recipe goes with: Butternut-Kale Frittata, Poached Egg Power Bowls

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Warm-Spiced Butternut Squash Soup

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Warm-Spiced Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

Earthy, fragrant spices like allspice, cloves, and cinnamon make wonderful accents for the natural sweetness of butternut squash. Make sure to simmer the squash until very tender--the softer it gets, the silkier the puree.

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One-Pan Broccoli-Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

One-Pan Broccoli-Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Recipe

Butternut squash puree enhances the color here without distracting from the cheesy flavor, and it sneaks in another serving of vegetables. If you can't find frozen butternut puree, swap in an equal amount of mashed sweet potato or canned unsweetened pumpkin.

$8.15 for six servings

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Maple-Mustard Roasted Chicken with Squash and Brussels Sprouts

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Maple-Mustard Roasted Chicken with Squash and Brussels Sprouts Recipe

We give the large bone-in breasts a head start in the oven so they will be perfectly cooked by the time the vegetables are done. This cut is also rather juicy; you'll want to drain the liquid from the pan before adding the vegetables so they can caramelize evenly.

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Dessert Spaghetti Squash with Apples, Walnuts, and Cinnamon Goat Cheese

Sara Tane

Dessert Spaghetti Squash with Apples, Walnuts, and Cinnamon Goat Cheese Recipe

While a sweet spaghetti squash might sound a little unconventional, it's quite a treat. Accompanied by a warm, buttery cinnamon apple mixture, this squash is packed with festive fall flavors. The simple goat cheese and Greek yogurt mixture is the perfect, creamy component to finish it all off, and you're going to be licking the spoon with this light and healthy topper.

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Butternut Squash and Corn Soup

Photo: Thomas J. Story; Styling: Janna Lufkin

Butternut Squash and Corn Soup Recipe

The last of late-summer's corn, cooked so it still has a light crunch, accents this silky squash soup. Clare Carver of Big Table Farm winery in Oregon uses rich homemade chicken broth, but store-bought works too.

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Roasted Veggie Mac and Cheese

Photo: Caitlin Bensel

Roasted Veggie Mac and Cheese Recipe
Freshly grated cheese—not preshredded—is key to achieving the creamiest sauce. The anti-caking ingredients in preshredded cheese make your sauce less creamy.

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Arugula Pesto Pizza

Photo: Caitlin Bensel

Arugula Pesto Pizza Recipe

Wide ribbons of fresh butternut squash become tender while the pizza bakes, a colorful and faintly sweet contrast to the peppery arugula pesto.

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Winter Squash Recipes You Won't Get Tired Of

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Instant Pot Butternut Squash

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Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup with Chorizo

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Greek Butternut Squash Salad

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Spaghetti Squash Lasagna with Spinach

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Roasted Kabocha Squash with Farro and Mustard Greens

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Maple-Butternut Puree

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Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables

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Butternut-Kale Frittata

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Orange-Tarragon Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables

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Butternut Squash, Kale, and Black Bean Quesadillas

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Black-Eyed Pea-Stuffed Acorn Squash

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Lemon-Herb Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables

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Fall Vegetable and Lentil Salad

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Sumac Hummus with Kale Ribbons and Roasted Delicata Squash

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Mushroom and Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto

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Acorn Squash with Wild Rice Stuffing

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Cheesy Sorghum and Shaved Squash Pilaf

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Butternut Queso Fundido

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Roasted Winter Squash with Honey, Tahini, and Lime

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Fast Chicken Chili with Butternut Squash

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Ginger-Chile Roasted Acorn Squash

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Roasted Butternut Squash with Sticky Walnut Topping

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Roasted Butternut Squash with Pecans and Sage

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Creamy Squash Soup with Salad Topping

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Roasted Butternut with Sage and Thyme

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Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash

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Steak with Mixed Olive Tapenade, Butternut Squash, and Green Beans

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Butternut Squash and Swiss Chard Tart with Olive Oil Crust

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Skillet Squash Blossom

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Pan-Seared Shrimp with Rosemary Spaghetti Squash

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Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi

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Greek Spaghetti Squash Toss

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Roasted Butternut Squash with Coconut and Chile

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Baby Kale, Butternut, and Chicken Salad

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Butternut Squash Spice Cake

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Roasted Butternut Squash, Apples, and Figs with Sage Brown Butter

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Autumn Glow Salad

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Warm-Spiced Butternut Squash Soup

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One-Pan Broccoli-Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese