The first freeze came early. Winter is still a few weeks away and yet the season is showing its signs. A cold wind blows the remaining leaves from the trees. Soon the landscape will be grey-brown empty trees speckled with an occasional evergreen. It is time to warm up from the inside as the frosty chill arrives. Winter squash can be comforting, warming, and filling. Baking softens winter squash to be used in so many ways. It is the first step in making skillet buttercup squash with bacon.
Buttercup squash can be tough to cut. It is not quite as hard as butternut squash though. I would compare the density to acorn squash. The most important thing is to have a big, heavy-duty knife. Once you cut through it, the rest is easy. Bake it with a little water until tender. Mash it up and add it to a skillet of onions softened in bacon fat. Stir in crispy bacon and you have a savory side dish that goes splendidly with ham, pork, turkey, and chicken.
My winter squash cooking only recently expanded. I honestly didn't tackle many of them. My go-to recipes were Baked Acorn Squash and Butternut Squash Soup. Then this year I discovered calabaza and made Candied Pumpkin. It was time to expand again and so I chose butternut. Next up? I'm not sure yet. I'll have to see what inspires me and go from there.
Which winter squashes do you cook? There are so many varieties available these days. Long ago it seemed only pumpkin, butternut, and acorn squash could be found at regular grocery stores. If you want to know what to cook with many of the varieties, scroll down to find a list and links to recipes by Sunday Supper bloggers. Big thanks to the very talented Heather at girlichef for hosting this Squashin' Winter event.
Skillet Buttercup Squash with Bacon
Ingredients
- 2 buttercup squash medium size
- 6 slices bacon regular thickness, not thick-cut
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cut squashes in half. Scoop out and discard seeds and stringly flesh.
- Place squash halves cut side down in a baking dish (or two baking dishes if needed). Add about ½-inch hot water to the dish(es). Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Allow squash to cool to room temperature. Scrape out the flesh into a bowl and discard skins. Mash squash thoroughly. You should have about 4 cups of mashed squash.
- Brown bacon in a medium skillet. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a plate. Pour out most of the bacon fat, leaving only about 1 tablespoon in the skillet.
- Add onion to the skillet and cook over medium heat until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Return cooked bacon to the skillet along with squash, butter, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cook until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally.
Notes
Recipe adapted from one in the Southern Living 1985 Annual Recipes cookbook (out of print).
How about more winter squash recipes? Check out these from Sunday Supper bloggers:
Breakfasts and Breads
- Maple Butternut Squash Donuts from Mess Makes Food
- Pumpkin Sweet Rolls from Basic N Delicious
- Vegan Pumpkin Scones with Maple Nutmeg Icing from Killer Bunnies, Inc
Appetizers, Starters, and Condiments
- Butternut Squash and Couscous Patties-Indian Inspired from Soni's Food
- Pumpkin Hummus with Spiced Lamb from girlichef
- Quick Pumpkin Butter from Shockingly Delicious
Soups, Sandwiches, and Salads
- Black Bean and Butternut Squash Chili from Supper for a Steal
- Black Bean Pumpkin Soup from What Smells So Good?
- Butternut Squash and Bacon Grilled Cheese from Ruffles & Truffles
- Butternut Squash Soup from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Hearty Quinoa Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash from Citronlimette
- Roasted Buttercup Squash and Black Bean Soup (Dairy free) from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Roasted Butternut Squash and Vegetable Soup from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
- Roasted Squash and Mexican Black Bean Salad from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Roasted Squash and Sesame Noodle Salad from Jane's Adventures in Dinner
Main Dishes
- Butternut Squash and Spinach Quesadillas from The Dinner-Mom
- Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Balsamic Brown Butter from Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Butternut Squash Lasagna from Hip Foodie Mom
- Butternut Squash-Sage Cream Sauce with Sausage Spaghetti from Daily Dish Recipes
- Carnival Squash with Maple Sausage Stuffing from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Chorizo-Stuffed Acorn Squash from Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Butternut Squash with Spicy Wild Rice and Queso Fresco from Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Pumpkin Alfredo from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Pumpkin Enchiladas from La Cocina de Leslie
- Pumpkin Risotto with Bacon, Goat Cheese, and Pecans from The Weekend Gourmet
- Roasted Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprout Pizza from Curious Cuisiniere
- Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash from The Messy Baker
- Spaghetti Squash in a Creamy Sausage Sauce from Cookin' Mimi
- Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi from Pescetarian Journal
Side Dishes
- Acorn Squash with Cinnamon and Cranberries from Noshing With The Nolands
- Butternut Squash and Apple Crumble from The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Butternut Squash Gratin with Sage Pesto & Gorgonzola from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Chorizo and Craisin Stuffed Acorn Squash from Family Foodie
- Parmesan-Roasted Acorn Squash from The Urban Mrs
- Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese from Big Bear's Wife
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Balsamic Vinegar Honey Butter from Food Lust People Love
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Wilted Kale, Mushrooms and Garlic from Take a Bite Out of Boca
- Skillet Buttercup Squash with Bacon from Magnolia Days
- Slow Cooker Squash and Apples from Mama's Blissful Bites
- Sweet N Spicy Baked Chipotle Butternut Squash Fries from Sue's Nutrition Buzz
- Twice Baked Pumpkin Stuffed Sweet Potatoes from Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Desserts
- Butternut Squash Cupcakes with Browned Butter Frosting from Treats & Trinkets
- Pumpkin Pie Crumb Bars from Pies and Plots
Wine Pairing Recommendations for Squashin' Winter #SundaySupper from Enofylz Wine Blog
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Butternut squash is the most common one used here, but I never heard of buttercup. You guys have so many varieties! This is a gorgeous skillet Renee, so simple and flavorful!
If buttercup squash is not available in your area then use butternut squash.
Oh my! Love the idea of squash and bacon together! Delicious, Renee!
Thank you Renee
Love that you can cook this in the skillet...and that it uses a squash I've never even heard of! I can't wait to go quiz our grocer! Delicious.
Thanks Marjory and hopefully your grocer will order some for you.
Squash and bacon go together so well. I'm extra hungry, now, Renee!
Thanks Cindy and I very much agree on how great squash and bacon go together.
Oh man! This looks great! So perfect, so delicious!!
Thanks Jennifer
Buttercup squash? That's a new one for me. It looks so creamy. I know your family enjoyed this dish.
Thanks Alaiyo and I hope you can find and try buttercup squash soon. I'm sure you will like it a lot.
Bacon just goes perfectly with squash, Renee. I love your iron skillet full of deliciousness!
Thank you Stacy and it sure is a skillet full of deliciousness. I ate the leftovers as a side to go along with my sandwich at lunch.
The perfect dish! I love squash and bacon.
Thanks Marie
I can't say I've ever seen buttercup squash in my neck of the woods. I'll have to hunt it down. This looks delicious!
Hopefully you an find it easily. It was in my grocery store (Publix) with a good variety of other winter squashes.
Renee,
I have yet to try a buttercup squash but now, I need to! love that you paired this with bacon. . I bet the flavors together are wonderful. . you have inspired me to expand beyond my regulars this winter (butternut squash and pumpkin) and get cooking! 🙂
Thanks Alice. If you can't find buttercup then you can always substitute with butternut. Although, I do hope you can find and will try buttercup.
I have not tried Buttercup squash. Interesting and great recipe. Glad to be sharing squash recipes this week in Sunday Supper!
Thanks Susan and you should give buttercup a try. It is really good.
Oh yes, bacon and squash really do go hand in hand...this sounds fantastic! I love Buttercup Squash, but for some reason, only see it every once in a while. I snatch it up like it's going out of style ;).
Buttercup squash has been a regular at my grocery store lately along with other winter squashes. I'm so glad they have a nice variety.
Oh, do you get crispy bits from the bottom? That's my fave! Yum!
All the crispy bits gets stirred into the squash. I do leave some bacon bits aside to top it with just so they stay crispy.
You have me at "skillet!"
Skillet is a good thing! Especially when it is a cast iron one.
I am also just now expanding my squash horizon. It's in part because our weekly CSA basket includes all different kinds of winter squash 🙂 - I am really enjoying it and not only because the color orange makes me super happy 🙂
How fun that both of us chose Buttercup Squash for ths week's theme. I love the beauty of your dish. It sounds and looks fantastic!
I really need to find a good CSA delivery for my area. I've tried one but wasn't happy with it.
The squash looks so creamy! Love the bright color too. Totally agree that good knives are important when working with squash. And hopefully all of this yucky winter weather means spring will arrive extra early too 🙂
It does have a certain creaminess feel to it although there is no cream involved. Think of a super smooth and somewhat softer mashed potato consistency.
How pretty and I love the bacon addition!!! So perfect for fall.
Yes, it's great for fall and winter squash season.
how fabulous does this sound!
Thanks Sarah
What a gorgeous side! And the addition of bacon sounds terrific!
Thanks Liz and the color sure would brighten up a table or plate of food.
You know, I've never thought about having squash prepped this way instead of maybe mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving. You've given me a great idea! The recipes looks fabulous! Thanks!
Thank you so much Martin and I really like your suggested wine pairing for it too.
It looks almost like the mash I always make 🙂
Nice! I'd like to see your mash recipe too.
I can't believe I've never added bacon to squash. I must do that now!
Yes Brianne, you must!
I love all sorts of squash - it's big in my Italian kitchen. I adore Delicata - in fact some puree of roasted Delicata squash added to pasta dough makes a tender, flavorful and beautifully colored pasta. I enjoy Spaghetti squash, roasted and served tossed with unsalted butter and Parmigiano. I could go on, but you get the idea. Your dish sounds great, and I bet it would also be fab with pancetta in place of bacon.
Delicata is on my to-try list and so is making pasta from scratch.
Simple and classic. love the bacony feel to it. I may make this in lieu of mashed potatoes this thanksgiving ! Thanks for sharing !!
It would be great instead of regular mashed potatoes and certainly more colorful.
Love the skillet take-just love it.
Thanks a bunch Jane! Kind words on my photography really makes my day.
I think just about anything is better with some bacon. Squash and bacon sound like a great combo, and this looks absolutely delicious!
Absolutely, most anything is better with bacon!
I've never heard of buttercup squash! Is it close to butternut?
The flavor of buttercup squash is close to butternut squash however it is more similar in size and texture to a large acorn squash.
Bacon makes everything better!Love how easy and delicious your recipe is Renee and it would certainly make a great side dish!Cannot wait to try it for my family!!
Oh yes, it is a wonderful side dish.
This is a completely new squash for me. And I love squash, so I need to rectify that oversight immediately! Your dish looks like a bowl of warm sunshine. I love it 🙂
I'm so surprised to see you haven't tried buttercup squash yet. yes, you must rectify that and real soon.
I am so jealous to the variety of squash that you guys get in the US! Because this looks DELICIOUS!
You can substitute butternut squash if you can't find buttercup.
I feel like squash and bacon were just meant to be together! YUM!
I completely agree Katie
Butternut and Acorn have really only been the two winter squash varieties that I have played with in the past. However I have been given a buttercup squash to try and I have been wondering what to do with it. Seeing as how we love anything with bacon in it this sounds like a good place to start.
I like buttercup because it is a lot smaller than a butternut and with only the two of us it then it fits for our meals better.
I haven't run into buttercup squash yet. Sounds like I need to go hunting...
Yes you do! It was in my grocery store next to the butternut squash. I'm sure you can find it easily in your area.
I've never heard of buttercup squash before! Just butternut, acorn, spaghetti, and of course pumpkin. I'll keep an eye out for it at the store.
Do keep an eye out and grab one or two when you see them. They are so good.
I have never heard of Buttercup Squash and now I am desperately on a search. I must try it, I am into all things squash for the past couple of weeks. So delish! This looks fantastic!
I had not seen buttercup squash at my store until this year. I think it is getting more common these days.