How to Roast Winter Squash In the Oven, Air Fryer or Instant Pot

What is Winter Squash and how is it different from Summer Squash?

• It differs from summer squash in that it is harvested and eaten in the mature fruit stage
• This means that the seeds within have matured fully and the skin has hardened into a tough rind
• At this stage, most varieties of this fruit can be stored for use during the winter
• Winter squash is generally cooked before being eaten
• The skin or rind is not usually eaten with winter squash but is eaten with summer squash
• Types of Winter Squash include Acorn, Spaghetti, Butternut and Pumpkin
• Types of Summer Squash include Zucchini, Chayote and Crooked Neck

How do you prepare Winter Squash for roasting?

Ok, first you need to have a good sharp knife.

Now, the trick is to start on one side of the stem and cut straight through the squash (not the stem; don't even try to cut through the stem). 

Continue to cut around the squash until the knife stops meeting resistance.  Once there is no more resistance, it means that you have cut through to the hollow middle.

Continue cutting around the side of the squash, through the tip, then around the other side, ending up on the other side of the stem.

Then, grab the squash with your big, strong hands, and pull it apart.

As you pull apart the sides, the squash will split to one side of the stem. You can trim the stem out at this point, but I usually just leave it in.

Clean out the seeds using either a knife or a spoon.

Drizzle a little olive oil all over the squash.

Season it with some salt and pepper and you are now ready to roast your squash!

How to roast a winter squash in the oven?

• preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the squash, flesh side up on a rimmed baking tray
• Add ½ cup of water to the rimmed baking tray
• Cover the tray with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes or until the flesh is fork-tender

How to roast a winter squash in an Air Fryer?

How can you serve Roasted Winter Squash?

• sprinkle it with a little salt - A little salt helps bring out the natural sweetness, amplifying the flavours
• Drizzle with maple syrup, melted butter, and ground cinnamon
• Mash with sweet potatoes, tahini, and lemon juice
• Puree with a little coconut milk, chicken stock, or vegetable broth for a luscious, healthy, creamy Instant Pot butternut squash soup (so easy when you use an immersion blender!)
• Sneak into oatmeal, sauces, or smoothies

Tips and Tricks on how to roast a winter squash:

• make sure that you use a VERY sharp knife to cut the squash in half
• if the squash is too hard to slice in half, simply poke a couple of holes in the outer rind and place it in the microwave for about 3-5 minutes to soften the rind (BE CAREFUL AS THE SQUASH WILL BE VERY HOT!)
• the time necessary to roast a squash does depend on the size and thickness of the squash - it is always best to undercook and add additional time if necessary
• make sure to wash your squash properly before slicing it in half
• save the seeds and roast them at a later time

Looking for more Winter Squash recipes?  Check out the following:

Easy Whole30 Acorn Squash Soup

Butternut Squash Pizza Crust - Paleo and Whole30

Whole30 Spaghetti Squash Taco Pie

How to Roast Squash In the Oven, Air Fryer or Instant Pot

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With the abundance of squash at all the local farmer's market, I felt that is was due time to right a post on How to Roast Squash in the Oven, Air Fryer or Instant Pot.  Now, in a single post, you can a quick and easy reference guide for roasting squash in any which way you choose!

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 1 acorn squash 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 winter squash, halved and seeded
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt and pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Drizzle the inside of each squash half with olive oil and sprinkle the inside with a little salt and peper.

Roasting winter squash in the oven:

1. preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Place the squash, flesh side up on a rimmed baking tray
3. Add ½ cup of water to the rimmed baking tray
4. Cover the tray with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes or until the flesh is fork tender

Roasting Winter Squash in an Air Fryer

1.  Place the two halves of the acorn cut side down into the basket of the air fryer.
2. Air fry at 325 degrees F for 20 minutes.
3. Flip the squash over, cut side up and place them back in the air fryer basket
4. Turn the Air fryer to 400 degrees F for about 10 - 15 minutes more, or until the cut surface is browned and the inside of the squash is fork tender

Roasting Winter Squash in a Pressure Cooker

1. Place the trivet (the wire-looking basket that came with your Instant Pot) inside the bowl of your Instant Pot
2. Add 1 cup of water to the bottom.
3. Place the squash, cut side up on the metal trivet
4. Place the cover on your Instant Pot and switch the pressure valve to the sealing position.
5. Set your Instant Pot to manual HIGH pressure and cook for 8 minutes
6. After the cooking time is finished, switch the pressure valve to the venting position and do a quick pressure release.
7. Carefully remove the lid

 

Notes

• nutritional information depends on the type of squash you roast

• Author: Cat
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Meals, Sides
• Method: Baking, Air Fryer, Instant Pot
• Cuisine: American, Fall
• Diet: Vegan

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 oz
• Calories: 11
• Sugar: 1
• Fat: 0.3
• Carbohydrates: 3
• Fiber: 1
• Protein: 0.3