Pasta – Cutting sugar in savory butternut squash dishes

pastasoupsquash

In making savory dishes–specifically ravioli or soups, I find the sweetness of the butternut squash to be a little much. I typically roast the squash with onions, and this only concentrates the sugars.

What are my options for adding something to reduce the (for me) overpowering sweetness of these dishes?

Best Answer

Ruth Lively at Fine Cooking has a similar problem and suggests:

  • Orange or lemon juice (or zest) adds brightness and zing. A splash of vinegar helps, too.

  • Tomatoes, which are both sweet and acidic, make a bridge for full-flavored squash dishes.

  • Sharp cheeses like Asiago, Parmesan, feta, and goat cheese lend a salty note and highlight the nutty side of squash’s flavor.

  • Robust herbs, such as sage, rosemary, and thyme, work with the earthy qualities of the squash, yet still offer an assertive contrast to its sweet side, too.

  • Bold spices like cumin, coriander, nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, ginger, and curry have a natural affinity to squash, making the perfect
    bridge from earthy to intriguing.

You may also consider substituting a differing squash; Royal Oak Farm Orchardhas a nice guide (pdf) to many squashes and includes sweetness among the descriptions.

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