Prepping Gourds
This Just Maika Cooking: Cook's Notebook section will focus on everything related to prepping gourds connected to all my recipe posts, which are updated frequently.
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What are Gourds?
Gourds are also called cucurbits; this family includes squash, melons, and cucumbers, according to Wikipedia. I swore I knew the answer to this, but in my head, gourds were just pumpkins and hard-shelled squashes.
However, it includes melon, watermelon, squash, cucumber, and zucchini. This section will focus on how to prep anything related to gourds when they come along during my preps.
1. Acorn Squash
Acorn squash, a winter squash variety, features a distinctive acorn-like shape, ridged, dark-green skin, and sweet, yellow-orange flesh. Rich in nutrients, it's a versatile and delicious addition to autumn and winter culinary creations.
Sliced Half Rings Method
Begin by thoroughly washing the acorn squash to remove any dirt or debris from its skin.
Then, with a sharp chef's knife, carefully cut off both ends of the squash to create stable bases.
Stand the squash upright and slice it in half vertically, exposing the seed-filled center.
Finally, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and fibers,
Then cut the remaining halves into even half rings.
How to Cook Them
Now you're ready to cook or roast these delectable acorn squash rings to perfection!
Oven Directions
Arrange the acorn squash slices on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with your favorite seasonings (or just salt and pepper), and roast in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for 20 to 25 minutes, turning halfway through, until they're golden and tender. No Mess Tip: For less mess, use parchment paper.
Air Fryer Directions
Place the acorn squash slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, lightly coat with olive oil, and air fry at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden and crispy. Yum!
Video: Cutting Large Chunks for Roasting
Use this method for a rustic, cozy style meal. I used this technique in my Roasted Calabrian Pepper Spatchcocked Chicken & Vegetables recipe.
Recipes Using Acorn Squash
2. Cucumbers
Cucumbers belong to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, making them botanical cousins to pumpkins, melons, and squash. Despite their reputation as a crisp and refreshing vegetable, cucumbers are, in fact, classified as a fruit because they develop from a flower and contain seeds, a characteristic of their gourd lineage. Who knew?!
Cutting Half Moon Slices Method
When a recipe calls for half moons, like cucumbers, cut them in half lengthwise, then slice them to the thickness needed in the recipe. You can achieve this cut with a knife and a vegetable slicer, like the Benriner Vegetable Slicer. Learn more about the Japanese Mandoline.
Julienne / Matchsticks Method
What? Prepping gourds with a mandoline? Yes! When using a Japanese mandoline to julienne a cucumber, first ensure the mandoline blade is set to the desired thickness, then securely attach the cucumber using the safety guard to protect your fingers, producing uniformly thin, even cucumber strips effortlessly for a visually appealing, quick addition to salads or sushi rolls.
Important: Remember to exercise caution and use gentle, controlled strokes to achieve the best results while avoiding injury. Learn more about the Japanese Mandoline.
Recipes Using Cucumbers
- Shrimp and Pork Belly Pad Thai - Spring Roll Style
- Beituti Chicken Shawarma Rice Bowl | Quick and Easy
- Zhug Feta Hummus Chicken Wrap
- Lemongrass Marinated Grilled Chicken Spring Rolls
- Spicy Citrus Tuna Rice Bowl
- Healthy Poached Egg Avocado Rainbow Tuna Salad
- Air Fryer Spicy Cilantro Lime Salmon Salad Rice Bowl
- Quick Parsley Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
- Curried Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Chickpea Cucumber Salad
- Best Peach Piri Piri Chicken with Fonio Kale Salad
- Grilled Zhug Ras El Hanout Lamb Chops and Tomato Salad
- Spicy Greek Chicken Meatball Rice Bowl
3. Zucchini
Zucchini is classified as a gourd in the Cucurbitaceae family and is botanically considered a fruit due to its seed-bearing nature, despite its common culinary use as a vegetable. Unbelievable right?!
Quartered Slices
Sometimes, a recipe will ask for a squash to be cut into quartered slices. For example, this is when you cut the zucchini horizontally into four stick pieces. But what happens when one end of the zucchini is much bigger?
- First, you'll divide the zucchini in half, where the sizes are drastically different.
- For the smaller part, cut into quarters, then cut each quarter into four even sticks, and slice them to the desired width.
- Then you will cut the large part in half.
- Then, cut each half into three sticks, as shown above.
- And slice them to the exact width you used for the quartered slices.
More Recipe Ideas
Looking for recipes to try? Check these out:
- Lemon Pepper Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Red Onion and Parmesan
- Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Salad on Wasa Crispbread
- Easy Borscht Recipe with Pre-Cooked Beets
- Spicy Basa Fish Stew with Potatoes and Watercress
More Cooking Tips and Tutorials
If you found this tutorial helpful, you'll love my Cook's Notebook collection. From knife skills and flavor bases to time-saving tricks and essential equipment guides, this section is packed with chef-tested lessons to help you cook with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of common questions I have answered. If you have any questions, please write them in the comments below.
Store acorn squash in a cool, dark place with good ventilation, such as a pantry or cellar, and it can last for several weeks. Once cut, refrigerate the unused portion in an airtight container for up to a week.
Since acorn squash is so easy to cook, I always buy an extra one to use later for a quick meal, since they surprisingly last a long time.
Yes, the skin of acorn squash is edible and contains valuable nutrients. However, it's often recommended to roast or cook the squash with the skin on for better texture, and you can eat it as is or easily scoop out the flesh after cooking.
The squash's flesh has a delicate texture with a slightly sweet taste, and with the skin on, it looks gorgeous with its rigid edges. Great for a presentation!
Acorn squash pairs well with various seasonings, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and even savory options like thyme and rosemary. Experiment with different herbs and spices to find the flavor profile that suits your taste preferences.
You can't go wrong, since acorn squash has a subtly sweet flavor. Experiment! Season with cinnamon and sugar, roast, and serve with vanilla ice cream.
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