I was looking for a Buttercup squash to try a recipe of Lisa's, but only found Acorn squash where i live. It looks nearly the same.

I cut it open to do lisa's recipe. I pulled out the seeds and guts and looked at the cup it left behind. I figured melted cheese would be amazing in that cup. So here is what I did:

- placed scooped out half facedown in a bowl with 1/4 cup water
- microwave six minutes
- score the squash meat with a knife
- sprinkle garlic spices into cup
- sprinkle a tiny bit of hot sauce into cup
- pack mozzarella cheese into cup
- add cubes of tomato on top of the cheese, more garlic, and black pepper
- microwave two more minutes

It was outstanding. It tasted like lasagna. Cheap, healthy, yummy, and in season.

It also actually looked like a gourmet entree.

That does sound awesome! Yes we enjoy acorn squash a lot too. That's great that you're playing with squash!

Thanks! I intend to experiment with these squashes - i love the idea of hot, easy, cheap and healthy meals. I am getting tired of my daily diet of ramen packets.

I had so many small, hard shell squash this year I cheated. I poked a couple of holes in the squash and popped them in the nukerwave whole. When soft they were much easier to cut in half to scoop out the seed. I could either scoop out the rest of the squash or serve is halfed on the platter.

Diana, are you talking about the ornamental ones? They are edible?

Yes Jilly definitely there are all sorts of easy,healthy things we can help with!

How about a bean sprouter, do you have one yet? They are cheap and they create TONS of cheap fresh sprouts!

I used to sprout beans back in college but then i noticed I always let them rot before eating them all. It got gross and stinky to clean them once they got that way. I might be too lazy for sprouts. :-(

Ah but make them in SMALL batches. Just make a small amount. That way they are a special treat when you have them! They don't take any work, so it's not like you have to make giant batches for it to be worth it.

BTW we bought two acorn squashes tonight, specifically so we could invent new recipes for you

Good thinking on the small batches of sprouts. that could be do-able.

I can't wait to hear your acorn mike recipes!

I just has the second half of the acorn squash tonite as another lasagne...just as delish as the first time. I have a winner! And with lots of B and C vitamins.

I bought the seeds from mail order and they weren�t ornamental. They certainly look like it though. They had more of a yam consistency. If I make it downstairs today I will take a picture.

That is great news Jilly, squash is very good for you, and rather cheap in the fall and winter! Hurrah!

Diana - we'd love to see photos

Here are the squash. The round ones I ordered, they were good but won't order again. The long ones were a seed evidently, inside the packet of seeds. Didn�t expect these. They are good too though. Prefer to stick with the hubbard.

The orange ones are very cute!! Those would be great as decorations

We had this for dinner tonight! It was *super* delicious!

Delicious low carb dinner - microwaved acorn squash, 7 min in microwave, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, Splenda brown sugar. We did it in a water bath, half at a time, partially covered. Then 2 minutes after that just to tenderize it, without the water.

This is so tasty

It's getting to be squash season again, so I thought I'd refresh this thread back from 2009!

The base recipe Jilly is talking about is here -

Buttercup Squash Microwave Recipe

The buttercup squash recipe is also featured in all versions of our Microwave Cookbook! It's a great recipe to brainstorm with.

Is everyone looking forward to a delicious fall harvest of squashes? I can't wait!

Oh, loved that recipe! I just remembered I had buttercup squash in the freezer from last year. Thanks for the reminder, as I head to the freezer! Buttercup is one of my favorites. Your buttercup squash recipe makes for beautiful presentation at the dinner table. Instead of yams on holidays I tried this and it is so pretty (and tasty).

I do enjoy buttercup squash too. It's so versatile, once you get the basics down you can make it in almost an infinite style of recipes!