Fall brings in the colors and deep earthiness of food. Sage, rosemary, cinnamon, the variety of curries... it all feels so cozy. And then there’s squash.

In this episode, I’m giving a little love letter to one of my favorite fall foods. We’ll talk about why squash deserves more than a supporting role at Thanksgiving, how to make it easier and safer to cook, and why you absolutely do not need to win a knife fight with a butternut.

What We Talked About

• Why squash is such a nutritional powerhouse, from carotenoids and fiber to potassium and other important micronutrients.
• A little squash history, including its origins in the Americas and its role in the agricultural system known as the Three Sisters, alongside corn and beans.
• My very strong feelings about pumpkin pie. (It may be my favorite dessert on the planet.)
• How to cook winter squash without making yourself crazy, including the very important lesson that there is no prize for winning a knife fight with a butternut.
• A few basic squash safety tips for cutting and cooking.
• Roasting, steaming, slow roasting and adding spice, heat and acid to bring out squash's best qualities.
• Why squash doesn't need more sweetness. What it really loves is contrast.

Join the Midlife Nourishment Collective

This is exactly why I created the Midlife Nourishment Collective.

I don't want you just collecting recipes. I want you to understand how to nourish your changing body in midlife, with practical education, beautiful food, meal-planning help, cooking classes and a community of women figuring this out right alongside you.

Inside the Collective you'll find hundreds of recipes, bone- and blood-sugar-supportive meals, meal-planning tools, monthly cooking classes, and ongoing support and conversation with me and other women who get it.

It's the combination of education, food, community and personal support that can be pretty hard to find all in one place.

If you're ready to stop piecing it all together on your own, come join us inside the Midlife Nourishment Collective. I'd love to have you at the table.

My Favorite Quote

“You don't always need another recipe. Sometimes you just need to understand what an ingredient likes.”

And squash likes a lot……

Mentions & Resources

• Midlife Nourishment Collective
• The Three Sisters agricultural system
• Winter squash varieties: delicata, acorn, spaghetti squash and kabocha

See you next time in The Slow Kitchen.

More Resources for You:

• Bone Health Blindspots Guide: A clear, grounded look at what’s often missing in the conversation around bone loss, midlife metabolism, and stress.
  👉 https://catdillon.com/BoneHealthBlindSpots
• 💌 Inner Wisdom Eating Guided Reset
  👉 https://catdillon.com/InnerWisdomEatingGuidedReset
• ❓ Quiz: How Much of a Mindful Eater Are You?
  👉 https://catdillon.com/MindfulEaterQuiz
• 🍳 10 Craving-Busting Breakfasts
  👉 https://catdillon.com/CraveBustingBreakfasts 
• 📄 10 Best Blood Sugar Hacks for Women 40+
  👉 https://catdillon.com/10BloodSugarHacks

Connect with Me:

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