Need ideas/recipes for fussy family

[swd12422]

We joined a produce co-op and have been getting great stuff! But a few things I just have no idea what to do...

This week's trouble spots are acorn squash and artichokes. DH hates all kinds of squash, so I'm wondering if there is something I can do other than roasting it or making it into soup that would camoflauge it enough for him to eat it.

Then there are the artichokes... I've never prepared a raw/fresh one before, only used marinated hearts in recipes. Tips? (The only limitations we have are no cilantro and general fussiness...)

[Otto]

Originally Posted by swd12422

Then there are the artichokes... I've never prepared a raw/fresh one before, only used marinated hearts in recipes. Tips? (The only limitations we have are no cilantro and general fussiness...)

Not "Jerusalem artichokes," right? My CSA used to start laying them on me in October.

[cristeen]

Squash - does he like sweet potatoes? You can usually mash squash with sweet potatoes and no one is going to be the wiser.

For the artichoke, if it's bigger than an egg, I really prefer to cut them in half... stand them on their head, and starting at the stem, cut down. Steam until a fork inserted into the heart doesn't meet a whole lot of resistance (about 20 minutes or so). Serve with lemon/garlic/mayo or garlic butter or hollandaise/bernaise for dipping. If you don't know how to eat an artichoke, I suggest you look it up on youtube - you just scrape the meat off with your teeth and discard the spiny leaves. And be careful of the spines.

Oh, and when you get down to the heart, the purple tipped and the tiny little feathery leaves are not edible - use a spoon and just scrape them out without digging into the heart. Peel the outer layer off the stem, and cut off the very end (these parts are really bitter), and the heart is lovely in whatever dip you're using.

[griffin2004]

We just had artichokes in our CSA box. DD had never had them before but dived right in. It struck me that they're the ultimate kid food. Kinda freaky looking and you eat it like nothing else and you get to make a mountain out of the spent leaves. And you get to dip it. What could be better?

To prep, I cut off the tips, drizzle Italian dressing over the top so it goes down in between the leaves, stand them upright in a steamer rack, and steam for approx 20 mins.

[jeanine123]

Do you think your DH would go for a quick bread made with squash? Maybe try substituting pumpkin with the acorn squash?

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by jeanine123

Do you think your DH would go for a quick bread made with squash? Maybe try substituting pumpkin with the acorn squash?

This is my suggestion too. Squash puree makes terrific muffins or quick bread loaves or biscuits/scones. For a long time, my kids thought they were eating carrot muffins, and didn't realize they were made with squash or pumpkin or sweet potato puree.

You can also use squash instead of pumpkin for pies, but if he doesn't like roasted squash or soup, he probably doesn't like pumpkin pie either.

[swd12422]

Quick bread is a great idea! He does like pumpkin pie, but of course, not my homemade version, only the Costco version.

And thanks for the artichoke instructions -- I think we'll try that tonight!