pumpkin vs. winter squash

[Meganator]

We love winter squashes, but (as I posted on another thread) they are usually expensive for me to buy. But all this Thanksgiving talk has me wondering about pumpkin. Isn't that just another winter squash? I have never had it except sweetened up for pie - why doesn't it get used as a vegetable? Have you ever tried it? I could run an experiment of my own, but I'm just curious if anyone else already knows the answer.

[sneezles]

Pumpkin is another type of winter squash and yes I've used it as a veggie and for soups. You should buy the smaller pumpkins (aka sugar pumpkins) because they are not as tough or stringy as those for jack o' lanterns. They are on the sweet side like butternut squash and I've subbed them for butternut in many recipes.

[bobmark226]

You might try this as a starter:

http://food.cookinglight.com/cooking/display/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=223557

Bob

[skupe123]

I just added a big bowl of boiled pumpkin to my chili with a lb. of 96.5% lean beef, a 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes, cilantro, chili spices (in 2 Alarm Chili Kit), mushrooms, green pepper, onion.

You couldn't taste it but it added nice bulk.

It was delicious.

Suz

[Canice]

I love the classic pumpkin soup with Gruyere, served in the shell, and pumpkin ravioli with sage butter.

I did see the other thread (I'm not familiar with frozen squash, so can't help there) but was surprised to hear that you could only get outsized winter squash; I bought a 3 pound spaghetti squash yesterday and a 2# butternut last week. I wonder if you'd get a better variety of sizes at the farmers' market?

[Meganator]

Thanks for the info, everyone!

Bob, thanks for the recipe link - that one looks good!

I will check the farmers' market this weekend; it has been a few weeks since I've been free on Saturday morning to go.

I think I will try the sugar pumpkin, since they are so readily availble now...

[Canice]

I just got back from lunch where they had a nice sounding sandwich special:
Carved turkey with sharp cheddar, stuffing, caramelized onion and baby greens on grilled ciabatta with...pumpkin mayo. I'm pretty sure I would never have come up with pumpkin mayo, but I did hear a pretty happy sounding customer "mmmm"ing through her sandwich! Note to self: pumpkin mayo!