Butternut Squash Revisited

"The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers.  The original meal has never been found."  Calvin Trillin

As promised, I'm sharing two ideas on what to do with leftover butternut squash.  OK.  Let's make that three. 

First, you could mix it with cooked rice and serve it as risotto.  That's cheating and isn't real risotto but I won't tell if you won't.

Butternut Squash Topped with Veggie Chili

Next, you can warm the butternut squash, place a serving sized amount on a plate with a well in the middle, and fill the well with vegetable chili.  Talk about too easy to even consider work.  If you don't have a recipe for vegetable chili here's one that's easy and delicious.

Ingredients:
  Diced onion
  Diced pepper - red, green or yellow
  A bit of oil in which to saute' the above 
Add:
   Diced carrots
  Medium sized can diced tomatoes
  Sprinkle of chili powder
  Sprinkle of cumin
  (Secret ingredient) 1 to 3 t of cocoa powder 
  Vegetable broth 
Optional:
  Can of corn, drained
  Can of green beans, drained

Distructions:
  Saute onion and pepper in oil for a few minutes.  Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer until veggies are tender.  Salt to taste.

Butternut Squash Topped with Swiss Chard, Mushrooms & Onions

And third, you can saute' a few veggies, such as onions and peppers, and add them directly to the butternut squash.  I got this idea from my friend, Marilyn, who puts a gaggle of veggies in her butternut squash soup.  Top the whole thing with greens that you've sauteed with diced onions and sliced mushrooms.  I used Swiss chard because, in spite of my gardening abilities, the Swiss chard continues to thrive in my garden as fall descends upon the land.  Almost makes me want to break into a soliloquy. 

OK, one more idea.  Place the leftover Swiss chard in a container and freeze it for use at a later date.  If you don't label the container you'll get to play, "What in the world is this," as you examine the contents of your freezer in the middle of winter.  It's a nice way to pass the time on a winter day.

Loveya
The Mom