Delicata squash or pears?

[Drama Llama]

Anyone tried delicata squash? 

I have a recipe for a salad I want to try for Thanksgiving lunch with pomegranates, pepitas, and goat cheese and delicata squash, but it also says you can substitute pears. 

I really like pears, but I never had delicata squash.  What does it taste like?  Is it possible that it would be as good?  Better?  

[Tree Frog]

I don't remember the flavor of the squash specifically, but dd made this salad for last year's holidays and it was really good! We're having it again this year. Until she mentioned the salad, I'd never heard of delicata squash.

https://cookieandkate.com/roasted-delicata-squash-pomegranate-arugula-salad/

[Jaybee]

I have never had it in a salad. But a few months ago, my oldest dd introduced me to delicata squash. She cut them in half long ways, cut each side into little strips--which made them little crescents that are pretty because they have waves due to the shape of the squash (I'm not doing a very good job of describing it--sorry). Then she tossed them with some olive oil and roasted. Oh my goodness, it tasted delicious and buttery--almost like dessert, and all it had added was the oil and a little salt. I had a hard time stopping eating it. Sadly, I can't find them here.

[Drama Llama]

6 minutes ago, wilrunner said:

I don't remember the flavor of the squash specifically, but dd made this salad for last year's holidays and it was really good! We're having it again this year. Until she mentioned the salad, I'd never heard of delicata squash.

https://cookieandkate.com/roasted-delicata-squash-pomegranate-arugula-salad/

That's the salad I want to try!

OK you have convinced me to try the squash.

[Tree Frog]

1 minute ago, Baseballandhockey said:

That's the salad I want to try!

OK you have convinced me to try the squash.

I hope you'll like it as much as we do!

My local HEB doesn't carry the delicata, but I found it at Trader Joe's last year.

[Lucy the Valiant]

We eat delicata squash all the time! It's a favorite (like butternut to us). We also eat a lot of feta. 🙂

[Jaybee]

That recipe looks soooo good! 

[EKS]

Delicata squash is amazing!  I'd definitely use it over pears in a dish for Thanksgiving.  It tastes like acorn squash combined with sweet potatoes.

[happi duck]

30 minutes ago, EKS said:

Delicata squash is amazing!  I'd definitely use it over pears in a dish for Thanksgiving.  It tastes like acorn squash combined with sweet potatoes.

Good description!

[Starr]

Delicata squash is my favorite. 

[Selkie]

We frequently roast delicata and add it to salads - so good!

[MEmama]

We eat delicata  squash frequently.

One favorite way is to cook it down in the slow cooker with a touch of cinnamon; it’s almost like applesauce. Really delicious served warm. Walnuts on top add a nice crunch.

Another favorite is to cut it into crescents or like fries, toss in olive oil and Everything But the Bagel seasoning and air fry. Makes a totally addictive and healthy snack. 

Edited November 22, 2021 by MEmama

[catz]

We love it and I also think it is similar to buttenut.  I have a couple on my cupboard right now looking for a home and this sounds great!  I need to add a pomegranate to my grocery order ... yum!

But if I were cooking for my extended families, I'd probably go with pears as a safer choice more likely to be eaten by the masses.   But our extended family is lame like that.  If you have more adventurous eaters and foodie types, I'd go for it.  

Edited November 22, 2021 by FuzzyCatz

[Drama Llama]

20 minutes ago, FuzzyCatz said:

We love it and I also think it is similar to buttenut.  I have a couple on my cupboard right now looking for a home and this sounds great!  I need to add a pomegranate to my grocery order ... yum!

But if I were cooking for my extended families, I'd probably go with pears as a safer choice more likely to be eaten by the masses.   But our extended family is lame like that.  If you have more adventurous eaters and foodie types, I'd go for it.  

We have both types, but our less adventurous eaters aren't going to eat a salad with goat cheese and pomegranates even if I put Hershey kisses in it.  We're going to serve two salads, this one and Caesar.