Do you have a recipe that is calling for the Delicata squash but either you can't find any or you want to substitute a squash you already have? Let us show you the best substitutes for roasting and all recipes.
While acorn and butternut squash have been the two most popular types of squash, there have been two others that I think in recent years have been growing in popularity.
One is the spagehttti squash. People like to use it as a replacement for pasta.
The other is the Delicata squash. This was has the appeal of being small in size, but not on flavor. It's a lot easier for people to handle than acorn or butternut.
There have been more recipes for it popping up on the internet. We have been helping with that as well by adding a recipe for Air Fryer Delicata Squash last year.
But maybe you can't find them in your area or they are out of season. Or maybe you already have a squash in your house and you want to use it instead of Delicata. Let us help you look for the best substitutes for Delicata.
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📋 List of Substitutes
Here is the list of possible substitutes to consider:
- Tiger Stripe Pumpkin
- Butternut
- Carnival
- Honeynut
- Any type of sweet potato
- Buttercup
- Orange Buttercup
- Turban
- Kabocha
🏆 Best Substitute
In determining what other squash to use it comes down to what you are going to be using it for. Are you making soup? Are you roasting it? Are you making squash fries?
The squash that I have come across that has the most similar flavor to Delicata is the Tiger Stripe pumpkin. It can be found at Trader Joe's every fall.
If you are looking to sub in one of the "big two", I would go with a butternut squash over an acorn. The texture of the acorn is more fibrous than a Delicata, so it's not a perfect match.
The carnival squash would be a great option as well. It is the same shape as an acorn squash but is a lot more colorful. I would say that it looks like the Delicata and acorn squash had a baby.
Don't run out of Delicata squash again. Freeze some for use all year long. Check out our post to learn how.
👶 Small Squashes
If you are looking for another small sized squash, look for a Honeynut squash. It looks like a butternut but is darker in color and way smaller in size. The previously mentioned Tiger Stripe is another small squash that would work - pumpkins are squash!
🍠 Sweet Potato
A sweet potato might work in place of Delicata. In fact, it's sometimes called the Sweet Potato Squash. I think a sweet potato can handle anything you would do with a Delicata squash from soup to roasting to frying.
🍟 Squash Fries
My favorite use for Delicata has always been fries. I usually cut them into half moon shapes as that's how the Delicata is naturally shaped when you cut it in half. Most people who turn squash into fries use the butternut squash. It's large size and long shape make it easy to cut into a fry shape.
RECIPE - How to Make Squash Fries
🔥 Roasting
Do you just want a squash to roast? Maybe you like to add butter or brown sugar. We like to add a little heat to our roasted squash. Here are some squashes you wil want to try
- Buttercup
- Orange Buttercup
- Turban
- Kabocha
- Carnival
💡 Tip - Don't waste the seeds that come with any squash. Roast them or throw them in the air fryer.
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