Delicata Squash with Hot Pepper Glaze ♥

This simple squash from the October/Halloween issue of Martha Stewart Living really called to me. Once in the kitchen, however, the instructions stymied.

"4 delicata squashes, cut lengthwise into 1-inch-thick wedges, seeds discarded"

I puzzled. I pondered. What about the skin, shouldn't it be removed? And it's really difficult, dangerous even, to slice uncooked winter squash lengthwise: hard to get a grip, plus a knife can slip against the dense flesh and voila, there goes a finger.

So I trusted Martha and left the skins on. But I trusted my knife instincts and sliced the squash in half, lengthwise, down the center. I scooped out the seeds and then cut one half into rainbow slices. For a test, I roasted the other half whole, filled with glaze.

THE VERDICT The skins of delicata squash are definitely edible, though more skin-ish than many will appreciate. The hot pepper glaze is extraordinary. I would definitely roast delicata in the same rainbow slices again. I won't use the glaze in a half (whole ... how do you say that?) squash, the flavor just didn't permeate.

NUTRITION The magazine says one delicata squash serves two. In my book, it serves four, about seven of those rainbow rings per serving.

FROM THE ARCHIVES For other recipes using winter squash, see here in the Recipe Box. Right now I'm longing for acorn squash with mustard and honey.

DELICATA SQUASH with HOT PEPPER GLAZE
Hands-on time: 10 minutes
Time to table: 55 minutes
Serves 4

1 Delicata squash

GLAZE
1/4 cup hot pepper jelly (jalapeno, mint, whatever, I used this green pepper jelly)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon garlic (from a jar)
1 teaspoon kosher salt (or sea salt or 1/2 teaspoon table salt)
Freshly ground pepper

Preheat oven to 375F. Slice off the stem and blossom ends of the squash. Cut lengthwise down the center. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Cut into half rings.

Mix the glaze ingredients in a large bowl. Add the rings of squash and toss well until squash is coated with glaze. Transfer to a baking sheet (maybe cover it with foil for easy clean-up) and roast for 30 - 45 minutes, checking after 20 minutes or so, turning when the bottom sides have browned.

NUTRITION ESTIMATE
Per Serving: 106 Cal (28% from Fat, 4% from Protein, 69% from Carb); 1 g Protein; 4 g Tot Fat; 0 g Sat Fat; 20 g Carb; 2 g Fiber; 42 mg Calcium; 1 mg Iron; 302 mg Sodium; 0 mg Cholesterol

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT'S DUE
Adapted from Martha Stewart Living, October 2006

(c) Copyright 2006 Kitchen Parade