Decorating for fall...ooops bought REAL food...

Question

I am slowly entering the Land of the living. I work at a local Farmers Market with their facebook page and just being there to assist during the market and I always try to buy from them. 
 So I always try to buy from them this, however I learned that NONE of these are decorative they are ALL edible squash and pumpkins! I never used anything but canned pumpkin. She did share that the large pumpkin is a 'french pumpkin' and pretty yummy. 
 I have so little to decorate in fall..sadly leaves and acorns tend to decorate quite well in this yard. 
 So how do YOU make your husband learn to like squash? How do I prepare these items and not just loose them to rot? Or should I on some of them? 
 For just the photo I added in some clippings from my back yard, and some primitive soft items that I cannot leave outside and had to hurry as the clouds were gathering!

Barbara Aubrey · Answer

Lots of recipes online - I find the easiest since squash summer or winter including pumpkin on their own have little flavor without the chew-ability most guys prefer so a quicky that works for me is to cube or if zucchini shape then slice and put in the pot with boiling spaghetti - when spaghetti is cooked add the tomato sauce to the spaghetti/squash/pumpkin and it becomes almost like a spaghetti primavera - sprinkle lots of cheese voila

Tanya Peterson Felsheim · Answer

Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas, Guess its google time and trial and error, just hoped those who grow gardens have used special techniques on their kids might work with my hubby!

Larose LoganOakes · Answer

I hope this helps you with your dilemma. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDeceptively-Delicious-Simple-Secrets-Eating%2Fdp%2F006176793X&ei=ke5RUtzED8O1igKf8IC4DQ&usg=AFQjCNFSKLr6KQ-CuC0bg1p7yAxGKgT-jw&sig2=CdCSaHs7jCEZkSJQQhwrGQ

Tanya Peterson Felsheim · Answer

I am sure it is a good book...guess looking for personal experiences....I think this may not be the correct forum for asking such a thing...thanks for trying!

Sharon · Answer

winter squash is delicious and easy to prepare - I peel, cut and cube it and put it in a microwave safe covered dish (do not add water) and microwave until almost fork tender as it will continue to cook after removing from oven. Drain well, mash and add some butter. If you are lucky it will be a fairly dry squash which is more tasteful.

Tanya Peterson Felsheim · Answer

Well I'm going to try different things trying to convince my husband I didn't waste my money thank you for the advice...I like squash trying to find ways to make HIM like it! He does like pumpkin bread and pie, I'm sure I could sneak squash into a bread...its the squash on its own I would like him to enjoy

Janie Gilgert-Seese · Answer

great ideas looks great

April · Answer

I'm not sure what to suggest, but your Fall decor is way too cute! Thanks for sharing! :)

Pauline Cobb Choate · Answer

My anti-veggie husband will eat spaghetti squash when prepared and served like spaghetti with the sauce and cheeses. Have you tried that?

Trudie Griffin · Answer

I have two dishes I make with winter squash. The first one I make with ground sausage, onions, cheese etc. I very it from time to time so those are the basic things I add to the squash. The other dish is with apples, cinnamon, brown sugar and butter. I do the same with both recipes. Cook squash and other items first then mix together and put in deep dish to cook in over at 350 deg. for about 30 mins. With the meat dish I don't add the cheese with rest, but put on top. I've used both of these for years and sometimes take them to gathering in the fall. I'll take both since they are a main and a dessert. I come home with very little of either left, if any. As for the pumpkin you could also do this or there are hundreds of wonderful recipes out there. If you scrap it and cook it, then blend it's just about the same as you get out of a can except much, much better.

Gina Connolly Cooper · Answer

Mmm, you have some very yummy-looking squash there! We usually cut the smaller ones in half, scrape out the seeds, and plop them face down on a baking sheet. Add a little water, put it in the oven and bake it at 400 for about thirty minutes, or until a fork can pierce the shell like soft butter. Put them on a plate or in a bowl, add some butter and season to taste. I like brown sugar, my husband likes garlic, salt, and pepper. Another thing we like to do is bake them, cool them, scoop out the softened pulp, and use it in a soup! Allrecipes is a great website to search for new soup recipes. All of our girls love the soups he makes. We have used them for baking bread, making soup, stirring into pancake batter, mashed them with butter and sugar for a yummy side dish, the possibilities are endless. If you like the labor of peeling them (you can soften them slightly in the microwave for easier peeling), you can peel, dice, and steam them for yet another way to eat them. Oh, and also for the French pumpkin. It looks a bit like a Long Island Cheese. They are the BEST pie pumpkins ever! Prep it the same as the smaller ones, cut in half, bake, scoop it out and use it for a pie. Hope this helps, good luck!

Carol · Answer

Tanya first off your fall decorating is great! I try to never feel guilt for the things I do or buy! Whenever I am in doubt or don't eat something I like to take it to the woods and leave it for the critters (however I do live rural and have chickens and critters here sneaking in and out for goodies) Don't worry.. we don't like squash but squirrels and chipmunks and birds will gobble up all the seeds if you split them open etc.! I know many might think this is horrible... to waste but in my view it isn't wasting anything when you share with nature! I have paid probably far more for plastic fake things to decorate with, than you have spent on those squash etc. SO no guilt lady... You can always donate them to the food bank! :o) Carol in Canada

Glenna Kennedy · Answer

I will never use canned pumpkin again. Cut your pumpkin up into 1 inch pieces (do NOT peel) toss in a huge pot with a bit of water and cook the way you would turnip. When it's tender I drain and toss into my blender and puree it till smooth. I put it in margarine containers (1 container makes a pie and freeze till I'm ready to use. Use any basic pumpkin pie recipe...the taste is glorious compared to canned. I'm not big on squash other than spaghetti squash. Cut in half, remove seeds place cut side down on baking sheet and bake till tender. Take a fork and remove the pulp which will come out looking exactly like spaghetti. I put it in a bowl, add my fave homemade pasta sauce, lots of Parmesan and top with mozza and re bake until bubbly..delicious and really does taste like spaghetti.

Frankie Laney · Answer

@Glenna Kennedy has the right idea for preparing the pumpkin for use. I have always baked the pumpkins, by cutting into fourth, I don't peel, and placing them on a baking sheet. Cook until tender and scoop out the soft pumpkin. As far as the other winter squash I like to cut them in half and bake with butter and brown sugar. I don't peel them bake at 350 for 25 minutes face down and when tender flip over and add the butter and brown sugar and bake a bit longer. Easy and delicious

Cathy Lay · Answer

I do acorn squash in the microwave. Cut in half - clean out, upside down on a plate and cook. My husband does not like squash and will not try it. So the squash is all mine!! :)

Sensible Gardening and Living · Answer

This squash salad is awesome http://sensiblegardening.com/butternut-squash-salad/

CindyD · Answer

I love your fall decor....we like acorn squash baked with apples, cinnamon and butter. I couldn't tell if you have any delicata squash in your display; just tried it for the first time. It has a smoother texture, more like a sweet potato, and you can eat the skin. I baked it with a drizzle of olive oil and garlic,,so yummy. My husband is a good sport about trying new things, hopefully you have good luck with that as well :-)

Alicia · Answer

I don't decorate for holidays much now since my sons are all grown. If I'm given a pumpkin I might leave it outside for a few days if there is no threat of frost, but that's it for fall. I then take the pumpkin in and cut it up to eat just like squash and I'm the only one who eats it. Since there is so much, I freeze it and add it to different things like soup, meatloaf, even spaghetti sauce. The possibilities are endless if you use your imagination.

Gloria Duy · Answer

Three ways that my husband likes squash (I can eat it any way). 1) grate it and mix with a grated potato, fry as hash browns. 2) Fill round or acorn squash with stuffing and bake. 2) Cut into chunks and mix with chunks of potato. Add onion, olive oil and seasonings and roast in a 350 degree oven.

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