Cuisine: Squash

Maple-and-Bacon Fall Chopped Salad

This Maple-and-Bacon Fall Chopped Salad is a hearty autumnal dish. It’s sweet, salty, savory, and crunchy. This salad is a perfect side dish for a fall dinner or a light lunch. It's also a great way to use up seasonal produce and enjoy the flavors of autumn.

By Leslie Blythe

Mexican Chicken Zucchini Noodles

I am on the east coast at my brother David's house. He made these Mexican Chicken Zucchini Noodles, which is healthy, delicious, low in calories and fat, and high in fiber. This dish is made with zucchini noodles, which are made by spiralizing zucchini into long, thin strips that resemble pasta. The zucchini noodles are then cooked in a skillet with chicken, cumin, and pico de gallo. It's a healthier alternative to traditional pasta dishes. Oh, and it's gluten-free.

By Leslie Blythe

Baked Feta and Tomatoes with Spaghetti Squash

This Baked Feta and Tomatoes, which is a viral TikTok recipe, get stirred up with roasted spaghetti squash. If you are not into eating carbs, this is for you. It's full of flavor. If you want to add more protein, you could use chicken or shrimp.

By Leslie Blythe

Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage and “Rice”

Acorn squash is rich in antioxidants, which can help to protect people against health issues like arthritis, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and certain cancers. I love acorn squash and I made this Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage and “Rice”. The squash is roasted until tender, and then stuffed with a mixture of Italian sausage, mushrooms, riced cauliflower, and fresh herbs. Serve it with a side salad for the perfect easy dinner.

By Leslie Blythe

Zucchini Tart with Whipped Feta and Thyme

Yesterday, I thought there was nothing for lunch, but rummaged through the fridge and freezer and found one zucchini and some puff pastry. I came up with this Zucchini Tart with Whipped Feta and Thyme. Whipped feta is all over the internet and decided to see what all the hype was about. It's very versatile, you can use it as a dip, spread it on sandwiches, or even on pizza. It's really delicious.

By Leslie Blythe

Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash

Acorn Squash with Sausage, Peas & Onions is one of our favorite family recipes. This is a slight variation. Since Autumn has arrived, I made this Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash. It's a nod to Fall, which is rather illusive in Los Angeles.

By Leslie Blythe

Butternut Squash Soup with Cannellini Beans, Ham and Swiss Chard

I made this Butternut Squash Soup with Cannellini Beans, Ham and Swiss Chard with leftover ingredients I had In my fridge. Here are two ways to make it - on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot. You could also purée a few cups of it to make it a creamy soup. Serve it with some good crusty bread and a salad. I love butternut squash, which has more potassium than a banana. Its benefits are too many to mention!

By Leslie Blythe

Acorn Squash with Sausage, Peas & Onions

This Acorn Squash with Sausage, Peas & Onions is surprisingly simple, inexpensive, and delicious. It's also very versatile given that you can add anything that you have on hand, like mushrooms, broccoli. etc. This is one of our favorite dinners. My mother-in-law used to make this for us. It reminds me of her every time I make it.

By Leslie Blythe

Sausage, Apple, and Squash Sheet-Pan Supper with Fragrant Herb Oil

There is nothing easier than dinner on a sheet-pan. I love cooking with minimal effort. This Sausage, Apple, and Squash Sheet-Pan Supper with Fragrant Herb Oil is a perfect meal this time of year. You can buy butternut squash already cut up to make it even easier and you can use any combination of herbs. Also, you can use sweet Italian sausage or the spicy version. You can probably guess which one I used! I think the spicy sausage and the sweet butternut squash and apple is a winning combination of flavors.

By Leslie Blythe

Autumn Pumpkin Turkey Chili

I decided to make this Autumn Pumpkin Turkey Chili so that I could jumpstart my favortite time of year. I overheard my husband talking to my daughter on the phone saying that "Mom is making some kind of weird chili that invovles a can of pumpkin purée". I have to say when I was shopping for ingredients for dinner, I was on the fence as to whether to use chunks of pumpkin/butternut squash instead. I decided to try it. My husband said it was delicious and went back for seconds!

I have provided 3 different methods of making this dish - stovetop, slow cooker and Instant Pot. It's the perfect thing for a chilly night, which I can only dream about living in LA. It is supposed to top 100° F this weekend!

By Leslie Blythe