Delicate squash is a mildly sweet and easy to prepare variety of squash. Among the most common cooking methods for this vegetable we certainly find: the oven, conventional or microwave, and steam. The article contains some basic instructions for each of the three methods.
Ingrediants
For 2 servings
- 1 Delicate pumpkin weighing about 900 g
- 15 ml of Butter
- 60 ml of water
- Salt to taste
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Method 1: Roast
Step 1. Preheat the oven to a temperature of 230 ° C
Prepare a shallow pan by greasing it with oil or covering it with non-stick paper.
Choose between parchment paper and aluminum
Step 2. Cut the squash into quarters
Take a sharp knife and cut the pumpkin in half, vertically. Remove the seeds and fibers and divide each half once more.
- To facilitate this, use a serrated knife. A smooth-bladed knife could easily slide over the sturdy skin of the pumpkin, making it more difficult to open, and more likely to cause a wound.
- Remove seeds and stringy fibers with a metal spoon or melon digger. If you wish, save the seeds for roasting.
- Forming the quarters, cut each half diagonally, starting from the highest corner up to the lowest one. The pieces formed will have to vaguely resemble boats.
Step 3. Sprinkle the pumpkin with butter
Use your hands and apply a generous amount of softened butter to the pumpkin pulp.
Bring the butter to room temperature before using it, as it softens it will become easier to spread
Step 4. Season with salt
Sprinkle the pumpkin slices with salt.
- Choose the amount of salt to your taste. If you are unsure what to do, try 1/2 teaspoon and divide it between the 4 slices.
- If you want to add sweetness to your pumpkin, add some brown sugar as well. Sprinkle the slices with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and press it to make it adhere to the pulp firmly.
Step 5. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven
When cooked, the pumpkin should be easily cut with the blade of a knife and should have darkened.
- If you used sugar, the surface of the pulp should be caramelized.
- By roasting the pumpkin at a lower temperature, you should get an even softer pulp. Try cooking it at 180 ° C for a full hour.
Step 6. Serve it hot
Empty it with a knife or spoon and enjoy the pumpkin pulp.
Method 2 of 3: Second method: Microwave
Step 1. Cut the pumpkin in half and remove the seeds
Cut it in half with a sharp, serrated knife. Remove the seeds and stringy fibers with a metal spoon.
- A serrated knife will easily cut into the sturdy skin of the pumpkin protecting you from any cuts.
- If you prefer, remove the seeds with a melon digger.
Step 2. Place the squash in a large microwave-safe container
Turn the pulp down.
Step 3. Add some water and cover
Pour 60ml of water into the container and cover it with a microwave-safe lid.
- If you want to add flavor to your squash, replace the water with vegetable broth.
- If you wish, add a small amount of salt to the cooking water.
- Make sure the container is tightly closed.
Step 4. Turn on the microwave for 10 minutes
When cooked, the squash should be easily skewered with a fork.
If not, cook it again, at 1 minute intervals
Step 5. Wait for the pumpkin to cool slightly before serving
After about ten minutes, bring the pumpkin complete with peel to the table. Diners can eat it with a fork or slice it into small pieces.
Method 3 of 3: Third Method: Steam
Step 1. Peel the pumpkin and cut it into cubes
Use a sturdy vegetable peeler and dice them with a sharp knife. Shape into cubes about 2.5cm on each side.
- After peeling the squash, cut it in half, using a serrated knife.
- Remove the seeds and filaments with a metal spoon or melon digger.
- Keep using the same knife and cut each half into cubes. If you prefer, you can also cut the pumpkin into slices, dividing each half into four parts and making an "x" -shaped incision from corner to corner.
Step 2. In a medium-sized saucepan, boil about 1 - 1.5 cm of water
Use medium heat and bring the water to a boil.
Do not use an excessive amount of water. The pumpkin will have to cook with steam and not with the water itself
Step 3. Place the squash in a steamer basket and cook until tender
At the end of cooking it must be able to be pierced with a fork. The delicate squash cubes should be ready in about 7 to 10 minutes.
- If you cut the pumpkin into slices, it will take about 12 - 15 minutes to cook.
- Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low or medium-low heat. The water should simmer slightly.
Step 4. Serve it hot
Remove the squash from the heat and let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
