From comforting soup and wholesome salad to velvety pie, listed here are 13 scrumptious kabocha squash recipes you need to make this fall!

With pumpkins and squashes making their seasonal debut, nothing represents Japanese autumn greater than kabocha squash. Have you ever tried this shiny orange-fleshed Japanese pumpkin but?

Kabocha squash is extraordinarily versatile and makes a scrumptious substitute for extra acquainted squashes like pumpkin, butternut squash, and acorn squash in lots of recipes. I really like that I can braise it in stews and curries, roast it within the oven, purée it into soup, stir-fry it, simmer it, deep-fry it for tempura, or make wealthy, stunning pies with it.

The second kabocha reveals up at my farmers market, I make sure that to grab up a number of of those winter squashes so I could make my favourite fall dishes. Right here, I’ve rounded up 13 scrumptious kabocha squash recipes you’ll need to do that season!

Additionally, don’t overlook to take a look at How one can Lower a Kabocha Squash and my pantry publish on kabocha to be taught extra about its dietary advantages.

13 Should-Strive Kabocha Squash Recipes

1. Kabocha Squash Soup

That is my must-make soup for the season! Not solely does it require just some easy components, but it surely’s wealthy and creamy whereas nonetheless being so good for you. To serve, garnish with chopped parsley and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired. I normally double the batch so my household can benefit from the soup greater than as soon as every week.

2. Kabocha Salad

Candy, golden kabocha is boiled and mashed till fork-tender, then mixed with sliced pink onion and salty ham, and tossed with cream cheese and Japanese mayo. I as soon as served this stunning salad at our vacation desk, and everybody requested for the recipe. I hope it turns into a brand new traditional on yours too!

For a vegetarian model, merely omit the ham. Leftovers could be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge or freezer.

3. Kabocha Gratin 

Kabocha gratin with a Japanese twist is the last word consolation meals for the chilly climate months. On this recipe, tender chunks of candy kabocha, umami-rich mushrooms, candy onions, garlic, and macaroni are cooked in a creamy béchamel sauce, topped with panko breadcrumbs, and baked till golden and crispy.

You should use rice or pasta as your selection of carb. It’s additionally vegetarian-friendly.

4. Japanese Roasted Kabocha Squash

Thinly sliced and oven-baked till barely charred and fork-tender, these roasted kabocha squash slices are presumably the best strategy to take pleasure in this seasonal gem. Within the recipe, I’ll present you the right way to taste them two methods: with shichimi togarashi spice mix or sweetened soy sauce.

5. Kabocha Pork Stir Fry

Lower any leftover squash into skinny slices and make this stir-fry for a fast, protein-rich weeknight dinner. Seasoned with a candy and spicy sauce referred to as gochujang (Korean sizzling pepper paste), it’s not your typical stir-fry, however a daring and flavorful dish to serve with steamed rice.

You should use floor rooster or turkey. For vegetarians, I like to recommend substituting with seitan or minced mushrooms.

6. Kabocha Miso Soup

Hearty and flavorful, this miso soup has all the things I crave within the fall: candy kabocha, umami-rich mushrooms, and nutty sesame seeds. It’s vegan, simple to make, and extremely scrumptious!

7. Kabocha Tempura

Scrumptious, crispy selfmade tempura is such a deal with. Within the fall, I prefer to serve a seasonal platter that features kabocha. The ethereal batter superbly enhances its creamy texture. Let me present you all the ideas and methods it is advisable make the very best tempura.

8. Simmered Kabocha Squash

Cooked in a savory dashi broth seasoned with soy sauce and sake, this traditional Japanese simmered kabocha squash makes a wholesome facet dish full of vitamins like nutritional vitamins, beta-carotene, fiber, and antioxidants. I take pleasure in serving it as a part of a Japanese ichiju sansai (one soup, three dishes) meal.

9. Vegetarian Japanese Curry

As you possibly can see, I used a variety of colourful greens, equivalent to kabocha squash, eggplant, asparagus, and king oyster mushrooms, for this Vegetarian Japanese Curry. The result’s a deeply flavorful curry with a wide range of textures! You may simply preserve it easy and improvise with no matter greens you’ve got available.

10. Kabocha Croquettes

Crispy on the surface and naturally candy and savory on the within, these Japanese pumpkin croquettes are merely irresistible. After I make them for my youngsters, they bounce for pleasure and provides me large hugs.

I’m certain your loved ones will love the recipe simply as a lot, and it could even turn into a fall custom each time kabocha squash is in season.

11. Kabocha Squash Pie

As a substitute of the standard pumpkin pie, strive making kabocha squash pie in your vacation entertaining this yr. With its a lot sweeter and fluffier texture, kabocha makes a tastier filling than different varieties of squash. It’s scrumptious with a dollop of freshly whipped cream!

12. Oyaki (Japanese Stuffed Dumplings)

Oyaki Japanese dumplings are a preferred snack in Nagano Prefecture in central Japan. The outer dough is chewy and frivolously crispy from pan-frying. You may make oyaki with any contemporary seasonal components, however they’re particularly scrumptious when filled with candy kabocha squash.

13. Immediate Pot Kabocha Flan

Traditional and chic, this kabocha flan is the dream dessert for autumnal taste. I used an Immediate Pot to make the flan, however you can too discover my ideas for making it on the stovetop.