If you haven’t already, you owe it to yourself to try the humble and delicious cushaw squash. There are dozens of ways to use this inexpensive heirloom squash and it is one of the least expensive winter squash available.
What is a Cushaw Squash?
When you can find one, a good size (15-25 pound) Cushaw squash typically runs just a few dollars, making it an incredibly nutritional bang for the buck. High in Vitamin C and beta carotene, it has a taste almost like a mixture of acorn squash and butternut squash.
It is easy to preserve even without cooking or blanching first, and a whole squash can last months in a cool place in your home.
Squash for Dessert?
The best part in my opinion? Cushaw tastes great with savory or sweet spices, making it versatile enough for both dinner and dessert in the same day. This recipe is a like faux baked apples, except using Cushaw instead and seasoning with butter, honey, and pumpkin pie spice.
Pumpkin Pie Spiced Cushaw
This dessert comes together in just 20 minutes from start to finish and has a wonderful fragrant aroma and rich flavor. Let the kids help season and stir on the stove and they’ll love to try out their delicious creation. Adjust the honey and pumpkin pie spice up or down to suit your taste buds and top with chopped nuts or fresh whipped cream for added flair.
This cushaw recipe is super quick to make stove-top (as the directions detail below), but to double or triple the batch, you can also bake it in the oven in a large baking dish at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. Feeling daring? Try subbing Cushaw in other dessert recipes that call for apples like pies or cobblers.
Pumpkin Pie Spiced Cushaw
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 20
Skillet baked cushaw squash flavored with honey and pumpkin pie spice is a sweet and inexpensive alternative to baked apples. A great way to use this delicious heirloom squash.
Ingredients
- 4 cups ½” cubed cushaw, peeled
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons coconut milk (I get it wholesale here)
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Heat butter in a medium skillet
- Add cushaw and cover
- Simmer, stirring occasionally for 5 min
- Add honey and pumpkin pie spice; simmer for 2-3 minutes or until tender
- Add coconut milk and cook for 2 minutes more
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Ever tried Cushaw? What is your best simple 20 minute dessert recipe?
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