squash as a dessert????

Say what?   "I think she wrote that wrong."  No, I did not.  I was just as surprised when I saw it listed as a main ingredient but, being the daring cook I am, (LOL) I threw caution out the window and gave it a try anyway.  After all, 'tis the season for all things squash, right?  It doesn't hurt that butternut squash is one of our favorites.  Turns out, it makes a fantastic dessert!  Who knew?

I found the recipe for Butternut Apple Crisp in Taste of Homes "Fall Baking" book.  I happened to have squash in my pantry, it was an overcast, cold day, (although a far cry from this ~ what we had last week):

I'm happy to say most of that white stuff is now history.  Whew.  Back to the squash and the perfect day for baking.  The only thing I was missing was vanilla ice cream but that's okay ~ it was 100% delicious without it. Here's the recipe if you'd care to try it out yourself:

1 Butternut squash, 3 medium tart apples, 1/4 cup corn syrup, 2 Tbsps lemon juice, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1 Tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt. 

Peel and seed the apples & squash.  Cut into thin slices.  Coat the slices with the lemon juice & corn syrup.  Stir in remaining ingredients then turn into a 13" X 9" baking dish.  Cover & bake at 375 for 20 minutes.  While it's baking, mix together the oat topping:

Oat Topping:  1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour, 1/2 cup Quick Cooking Oats, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar & 6 Tbsps Cold Butter.  Cut the butter into the 1st three ingredients ~ blah, blah, blah ~ you all know how to do it.

Sprinkle topping over squash mixture, return to oven (uncovered) and bake 25 minutes more.  (or until it's bubbly & topping is brown ~ squash should also be tender). 

Does that look yummy or what?  Also, I'm thinking if it has squash in it, it's a healthy dessert??!!!  If you disagree, don't tell me.  I'd like to fool myself into believing otherwise.  :-) 

Comments

[Jan (ThanksFor2Day)]

Looks wonderful, and of course it's healthy! Squash, apples, oats...how could it not be?! It really doesn't look like there's that much sugar in it either...brown sugar doesn't have calories, right??!!!!!!!

[Marnie]

The recipe sounds good. I've made 'pumpkin pie' using winter squash. I can't tell the difference.
Marnie

[Jackie (Ellie Mae's Cottage)]

Sounds so delicious and very different! I'm printing this out and giving it a try. -Jackie

[Janet]

You know, when you think about it, pumpkin is a squash....
Your recipe looks yummy! (with or without the vanilla ice cream!)

[Gail]

I so love this recipe! Beautiful photo of the now gone snow! gail

[Catherine]

Sounds and looks really good. I'm sure it's very healthy, especially with the ice cream :)

[Tatyana]

Winter in a squash sandwich - I love it!

[Tasha Hickert]

Guess what? It works with "leg" zucchini, too. (You know, the ones that grow as big as a leg when you're not looking!) My recipe didn't call for apples, just zucchini. My family loved it until I told them what was actually in it.