The 5 Best Substitutes for Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is a delicious winter vegetable often used in recipes like soup or as a side dish.

This squash is a great substitute for other winter vegetables like pumpkin or sweet potato.

Acorn squash is packed with vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy option for those looking to improve their diet.

Additionally, acorn squash is low in calories and fat, making it a perfect choice for those watching their weight.

However, if you are not a fan of acorn squash, plenty of other winter vegetables can be substituted in your recipes.

In this blog post, we will discuss five delicious substitutes for acorn squash.

So whether you’re looking for something to replace acorn squash in your favorite recipe or you want to try something new, we’ve got you covered.

What’s Acorn Squash?

Have you ever seen acorn squash and wondered what in the world it is? Well, you’re not alone.

This strange-looking vegetable can be intimidating, but once you get to know it a little better, you’ll see that it’s not so scary after all.

Acorn squash is a winter squash that gets its name from its shape, which resembles an acorn.

It has tough outer skin ranging from green to orange to brown.

A sweet and nutty flesh is underneath that hard exterior that makes for a delicious and healthy treat.

There are many different ways to cook acorn squash, but one of the simplest methods is to cut it in half, remove the seeds, and roast it in the oven.

This brings out the squash’s natural sweetness and makes for a lovely side dish.

If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, you can also stuff acorn squash with all sorts of different fillings.

Rice, quinoa, and beans make for a hearty and filling main course, while chopped apples and cranberries create a delicious festive holiday dish.

No matter how you choose to prepare it, acorn squash is a versatile vegetable that will please everyone at the table.

So next time you see one at the store, don’t be afraid to give it a try.

Who knows, it might just become your new favorite winter squash.

5 Best Substitutes for Acorn Squash

Look no further for those of you looking for a substitute for acorn squash.

Here are five delicious and nutritious alternatives that will have you forgetting all about the original.

1 – Butternut Squash

Let’s start with a classic.

Butternut squash is one of the most popular types of winter squash, and for a good reason.

It’s sweet, nutty, and oh-so-versatile. Plus, it’s easy to find at just about any grocery store.

Butternut squash is very similar to acorn squash when it comes to flavor.

They both have that characteristic sweetness that is so crave-worthy in the colder months.

However, in terms of texture, butternut squash is much smoother and creamier than acorn squash.

This makes it a great choice for soups and sauces.

Butternut squash can be roasted, pureed, or even made into fries.

You can also use it in place of acorn squash in any recipe.

So if you’re looking for a familiar yet different flavor, butternut squash is a perfect choice.

2 – Hubbard Squash

Hubbard is a great substitute for acorn squash when it comes to winter squashes.

It has a similar shape and size as acorn squash, but its flavor is more intense.

Hubbards are usually orange or green in color and have smooth skin.

They can be cooked the same way as acorn squash- roasted, pureed, or steamed.

One of the best things about hubbard squash is its versatility.

It can be used in sweet or savory dishes.

One of our favorite ways to use it is in this roasted acorn squash and apple soup.

The sweetness of the apples pairs perfectly with the rich, earthy flavor of the hubbard squash.

Hubbard squash is also a great addition to Thanksgiving dishes.

It can be used in acorn squash in recipes like this maple-glazed roasted turkey or this sweet potato casserole.

3 – Pumpkin

For many people, a pumpkin is the quintessential fall squash.

It’s a great substitute for acorn squash because it has a similar flavor and texture.

When cooked, the pumpkin becomes very tender and can be easily pureed.

Pumpkins are also very versatile and can be used in sweet or savory dishes.

The best pumpkins for cooking are sugar pumpkins or pie pumpkins.

These pumpkins are smaller and have a more intense flavor than the larger jack-o-lantern pumpkins.

If you want to substitute pumpkin for acorn squash in a recipe, we recommend using this roasted pumpkin soup.

It’s the perfect way to use up any leftover pumpkins from Halloween.

4 – Buttercup Squash

Despite its name, buttercup squash is a close relative of the pumpkin.

It has a deep green color and a shape that resembles a turban.

Buttercup squash is one of the sweetest winter squashes and has a creamy texture.

In terms of flavor, buttercup squash is quite similar to acorn squash.

It’s sweet and earthy with a hint of nuttiness.

The two squashes can be used interchangeably in most recipes.

Cooking buttercup squash is very easy. You can bake, steam or microwave it.

It’s also great roasted with a little bit of brown sugar and cinnamon.

Buttercup squash is perfect for pies, soup, risotto, and more.

So if you can’t find acorn squash at your local grocery store, give buttercup squash a try.

5 – Kabocha Squash

When it comes to winter squashes, kabocha squash is one of the most popular.

It has dark green skin and orange flesh.

Kabocha squash is sweet and nutty with a slight caramel flavor.

Texture-wise, kabocha squash is very smooth and creamy.

The flesh is also quite dense, holding its shape well when cooked.

The two are very similar in substituting kabocha squash for acorn squash.

You can use them interchangeably in most recipes.

Whether baking, roasting or steaming kabocha squash, it’s always a good idea to add a little bit of butter, maple syrup, or brown sugar.

This will help bring out the natural sweetness of the squash.

Kabocha squash is perfect for pies, soup, risotto, and more.

Conclusion

In conclusion, acorn squash is a delicious winter squash that can be used in various recipes.

However, if you can’t find acorn squash at your local grocery store, there are plenty of other winter squashes you can try.

Good substitutes include buttercup squash, kabocha squash, pumpkin, and hubbard squash.

So don’t let the lack of acorn squash stop you from cooking up your favorite winter recipes.