Baked Cushaw Squash Food

CUSHAW CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F and lightly grease a baking dish.
• Mix in order: cushaw, sugar, margarine, milk, egg and flavorings.
• Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour.

OLD-FASHIONED CUSHAW PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add squash, cover, and steam until very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Blend squash in a blender until smooth. Pour 6 cups squash puree into a large mixing bowl. Reserve any extra squash puree for a separate use.
• Stir cream, honey, eggs, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, 1 teaspoon salt, allspice, and nutmeg into 6 cups squash puree; whisk until smooth. Cover and set aside.
• Mix flour and 1 teaspoon salt together in a bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture; add water and mix well. Add more flour to dough if it is too wet. Cut dough in half and roll onto a floured work surface; form into two 10-inch circles. Press dough into 2 pie pans and pour squash filling into each.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.

CAJUN SMOTHERED SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine 1 Tbsp oil and garlic in small bowl. Brush garlic-oil mixture over butternut squash pieces, and place on baking sheet.
• Sprinkle each squash piece with 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
• Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until squash pieces are tender enough to easily pierce with fork.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, bell peppers, and celery, and cook 20 to 25 minutes, or until vegetables are soft and beginning to brown, stirring occasionally.
• Stir flour into onion mixture, and cook 1 minute, or until flour begins to brown, stirring constantly. Stir in vinegar, remaining 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning, and 6 cups water. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes, or until sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally.
• When ready to serve, place 2 squash pieces on plate. "Smother" with 1 cup onion mixture.

HEALTHY ROASTED CUSHAW MUFFINS WITH ROSEMARY SEA SALT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease 18 muffin cups.
• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill the bottom of the basket with 3 inches of water. Bring water to a boil. Add squash, cover, and steam until skin is easily pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes. Let cool enough to handle, 15 to 30 minutes. Remove outer skin.
• Place squash flesh into the bowl of a food processor and puree until smooth. Reserve 1 cup for muffins.
• Whisk maple syrup and coconut oil together in a large bowl until well combined. Add eggs and whisk well. Add 1 cup squash puree, Greek yogurt, baking soda, cinnamon, vanilla extract, salt, ginger, and nutmeg. Stir to combine. Stir in whole wheat flour, pecans, and oats until just combined.
• Combine sea salt and rosemary in a small ramekin. Rub mixture with your fingers to release the oils from rosemary into the salt.
• Divide muffin batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups. Top with with a dash of the rosemary sea salt.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tops spring back when lightly pressed, 18 to 20 minutes.