Winter quashes are more than pretty decorations. They're also tasty and nutritious and can be grilled for soups, side dishes and appetizers.
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By Christie Vanover | Published October 28, 2022 | Last Updated October 31, 2022

Home | BBQ Tips | 5 Winter Squashes and How to Grill Them

Every fall and winter when you roam around the produce section at the grocery, you may notice a few different squash types that you’re not familiar with.

Some people just buy them because they’re pretty and make beautiful decorations around the house for the holidays. But they’re also really tasty and nutritious and can be used to make a variety of soups, side dishes and appetizers.

grocery bins full of a variety of winter squash.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
  1. What are winter squashes
  2. How to tell when winter squashes are ripe
  3. How to cut hard winter squashes
  4. How to store winter squash
  5. How to grill winter squash
  6. How long does it take to grill squash?
  7. Acorn Squash
  8. Butternut Squash
  9. Delicata Squash
  10. Pie Pumpkin
  11. Red Kuri Squash
  12. Frequently Asked Questions

What are winter squashes

Squashes are a type of fruit. They have a rind, fruity flesh and seeds.

Summer squash, like zucchini and yellow squash, have tender skins and can be eaten raw or cooked. Their seeds are also very tender and small and can be eaten raw.

Winter squash, on the other hand, have much harder rinds, because they endure more extreme temperatures as they grow. And their seeds are larger and harder to chew.

5 winter squash: red kuri, acorn, butternut, pumpkin pie, delicata

How to tell when winter squashes are ripe

It’s challenging to know when a winter squash is ripe, because most of them have very hard rinds.

Squashes grow on vines that develop flower blooms. As the blooms open, the fruit grows inside as they mature.

When harvested, the fruits are cut from the vines, leaving a stem at the top.

To check for ripeness, look at the stem. You don’t want it to appear too dried out. If it is, that can be a sign that the squash was picked a while ago.

If you turn the squash over, the bottom will have an indentation. This is where the flower blossom was when the squash was growing. If you press against it, it should have some resistance. If it’s mushy, the squash is starting to turn.

bottles of BBQ rubs on black background

How to cut hard winter squashes

Many of the winter squash varieties have a very hard rind, which can be difficult to cut through. If you’re not careful, it can actually be a little dangerous.

You need to be sure to use a very sharp knife and work slowly on an even, stable surface. Start by rotating the squash, until it sits as flat as possible. If you can’t find a flat spot, carefully slice a small piece off of the side, to create one.

PRO TIP: If you pierce the squash with a fork a few times and microwave it for 2-3 minutes, depending on its size, that will help soften the rind, making it easier to cut.

How to store winter squash

Winter squash are very hardy and will last for several weeks to months, depending on the variety. Those with harder rinds like butternut and kuri, will last longer than those with more tender skins like delicata and acorn.

According to the farmer’s almanac, it’s best to store them a “cool, dry, dark place with good circulation.”

How to grill winter squash

Squash are delicious in several recipes, because they are very mild. They take on both sweet and savory flavors quite well.

They can be roasted whole or cooked straight on a bed of coals, until they are tender.

More often, they are cut into pieces. The seeds are removed. And then, they’re roasted or grilled over direct heat.

PRO TIP: For squash with tough rinds, you can either remove the rind before you cook it or after. It’s usually easier (and safer) to remove the rind after.

How long does it take to grill squash?

While summer squash can be grilled in a few minutes, it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours for winter squash to cook, depending on the variety, the size and the temperature you’re cooking at.

If you grill acorn squash halves over medium-high heat, it will take 45 minutes to an hour. If you make rings or slices, it will take about 10 minutes per side.

Butternut squash cooked over medium heat will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes, but if you smoke it around 250F degrees, it can take a few hours.

If you slice winter squash into cubes, you can reduce your cooking time significantly.

Below are 5 squash varieties that I like to grill when they’re in season.

Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is one of the most common winter squash varieties. It’s a little easier to cut and cooks rather quickly by comparison. It’s often cooked in slices or half moons and can also be roasted whole and filled with chili.

Acorn Squash
  • Rind Color: The exterior color of an acorn squash is predominantly dark green, but they often have pretty orange blotches.
  • Flesh Color: The interior of an acorn squash is a bright pale orange.
  • Taste: Acorn squash has a very neutral flavor with notes of nuttiness and mild acidity.
  • Texture: Cooked acorn squash is firm and slightly creamy, but more fibrous than other squash varieties.

Acorn Squash Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Acorn Squash
Amount Per Serving
Calories 172 Calories from Fat 4
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.4g1%
Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.03g
Sodium 13mg1%
Potassium 1496mg43%
Carbohydrates 45g15%
Fiber 6g25%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 1582IU32%
Vitamin C 47mg57%
Calcium 142mg14%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Acorn Squash Recipes

Grilled acorn squash rings on a platter

Grilled Acorn Squash Rings

two grilled acorn squash halves on slate platter.

Grilled Acorn Squash Halves

Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is the king of winter soups, because once roasted it melts down into a smooth, silky, luxurious texture. If you’re nervous about cutting butternut squash, most grocery stores sell cubed pieces in the produce section. You can also find frozen cubes, but they don’t grill as well, because they contain more moisture.

butternut squash
  • Rind Color: Butternut squash has a pale orange exterior.
  • Flesh Color: The inside of a butternut squash is bright orange.
  • Taste: Just as its name implies, it’s both buttery and nutty. It’s earthiness works well in savory dishes.
  • Texture: Butternut squash is extremely smooth. Once it’s cooked down, it can be mashed into a velvety consistency.

Butternut Squash Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Butternut Squash
Amount Per Serving
Calories 338 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 0.2g1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g
Sodium 30mg1%
Potassium 2640mg75%
Carbohydrates 88g29%
Fiber 15g63%
Sugar 17g19%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 79725IU1595%
Vitamin C 158mg192%
Calcium 360mg36%
Iron 5mg28%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Butternut Squash Recipes

bowl of grilled butternut squash soup with herbs

Grilled Butternut Squash Soup

Delicata Squash

Delicata squash may be a less popular variety, but it’s extremely easy to cook, because it’s much easier to cut into slices or half moons. Plus, you can eat the skin.

Delicata Squash
  • Rind Color: The exterior of a delicata squash is yellow with either green or orange stripes.
  • Flesh Color: The interior of a delicata squash is pale yellow.
  • Taste: Delicata squash is very mild. It’s flavor is similar to yellow squash with a more firm texture.
  • Texture: Similar to acorn squash, the delicata squash texture is smooth, but a little fibrous. The rind is tender enough to eat once cooked.

Delicata Squash Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Delicata Squash
Amount Per Serving
Calories 154 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g
Sodium 18mg1%
Potassium 1586mg45%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 6193IU124%
Vitamin C 56mg68%
Calcium 127mg13%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Delicata Squash Recipes

Bacon Wrapped Grilled Delicata Squash Rings on platter by jar of syrup.

Bacon Wrapped Delicata Squash

Pie Pumpkin

Did you know that pumpkins are actually squash? And one of the cutest ones are the pie pumpkins, which are also called sugar pumpkins. This is the pumpkin variety used to make pumpkin pies. While you can buy pie filling in a can, it’s really fun to cook your own to make different sweet recipes.

orange pumpkin pie pumpkin on black background.
  • Rind Color: Pie pumpkins are bright orange on the outside.
  • Flesh Color: The inside of the pie pumpkin is also bright orange.
  • Taste: Pie pumpkins are sweet, almost like a sweet potato.
  • Texture: The texture of a pie pumpkin is smooth and creamy once cooked.

Pie Pumpkin Squash Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Pie Pumpkin
Amount Per Serving
Calories 354 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.2g
Sodium 14mg1%
Potassium 4624mg132%
Carbohydrates 88g29%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 38g42%
Protein 14g28%
Vitamin A 115777IU2316%
Vitamin C 122mg148%
Calcium 286mg29%
Iron 11mg61%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Pie Pumpkin Squash Recipes

spoon scooping cheesecake out of a pumpkin.

Grilled Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake

slice of smoked pumpkin pie by whole pie

Hickory Smoked Pumpkin Pie

piece of cake on a spatula over ooey gooey butter cake

Pumpkin Pie Cake

Red Kuri Squash

Red kuri is a little more challenging to find in the grocery store, but if you find one, grab it. These gems are smooth and nutty and go great with maple syrup, goat cheese and fresh herbs. You can also slice off the top and roast them whole and fill with wild rice or salad.

Red Kuri Squash
  • Rind Color: Red kuri squash have a reddish-orange exterior.
  • Flesh Color: The inside of a red kuri squash is a little lighter than the outside, but is still vibrantly orange.
  • Taste: Similar to the pie pumpkin, red kuri is a little more sweet than other winter squashes with earthy notes of chestnuts.
  • Texture: Red kuri squash has a smooth and creamy texture.

Red Kuri Squash Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Red Kuri Squash
Amount Per Serving
Calories 462 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 0.4g3%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g
Sodium 54mg2%
Potassium 4760mg136%
Carbohydrates 117g39%
Fiber 20g83%
Sugar 30g33%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 18591IU372%
Vitamin C 167mg202%
Calcium 381mg38%
Iron 8mg44%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some other varieties of winter squash?

Carnival, kabocha (red and green), turban and sweet dumplings are all additional varieties of winter squash.

What’s the difference between a squash and a gourd?

Gourds are squashes that are more for decorative purposes. While you can decorate your tablescape with any of the winter squash varieties above, they won’t last as long. Gourds on the other hand have really hard rinds and can last for months. They also come in really fun, twisty shapes.

Can you freeze winter squash?

Yes. You can cut, seed and cube squash and freeze it; however, it will draw in some moisture, which can impact how it grills. If you want to freeze squash, I recommend grilling it first and then storing it in an airtight container in the freezer for no more than 3 months.

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