Fermentation!

One of the many kitchen projects I enjoy involves letting vegetables ferment in jars on the counter!! It sounds horrible I know, but it's the same beloved practice that makes sauerkraut. Vegetables sitting in a 2% brine will become delicious, pickled versions of themselves. Lactobacillus bacteria converts the natural sugars to lactic acid. This prevents bad bacteria from growing, while the lactobacillus (probiotics!) thrive. It's a tangy, healthy treat. However, it takes several weeks usually to get to the right ph. This means jars of things, submerged in salt water, with air locks on top, just waiting to become tasty. Oh, and watching it occasionally bubble throughout the process.

So, here's pics of the set up and my current fermentation attempt - Brussels sprouts!

Savory Acorn Squash (Original Recipe)

cooking spray
1 acorn squash, chopped into large chunks
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp turmeric
cayenne, to taste
basmati rice

1) Preheat oven to 425F. Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray, then arrange squash chunks so that they are not crowded together.
2) Spray squash chunks with cooking spray and then sprinkle with seasonings (salt, cumin, coriander, turmeric and cayenne). Bake for 30 minutes, or until squash can be easily pierced with a fork.
3) Remove baking sheet from oven and scrape squash chunks away from the peel (discard peels).
4) Serve over basmati rice. (I cheated and used a 90 second microwave pouch of rice).

Review: I got more squash in my CSA, so I had to find a savory use for it. I really don't like the focus on making it sweet and gooey every time. I tossed these seasonings together and it was an amazing match. It had a bit of exotic flavor, combined with the good, savory taste I was looking for. Basmati rice was the perfect bed for this squash, though I could have eaten it without!

Golden Squash Quinoa

2 delicata squash, seeds removed, halved lengthwise and then sliced
1 tsp salt
2 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbs turmeric
1 cup quinoa

1)  Preheat oven to 400F. On a greased baking sheet, place the squash slices evenly so there is no overlap. Spray with cooking oil (I love olive oil spray) and then dust with salt, garlic powder and turmeric. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the squash can be easily pierced with a fork.
2) In a medium saucepan, add 2 cups of water to the quinoa. Cover and boil for 15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed.
3) Serve squash slices over a bed of quinoa.

Review: I got two delicata squashes from the CSA last week. Somehow, this is the first time I've ever had delicata squash.This blows my mind, as I've tried so many obscure versions and yet missed this one. So, I didn't want to go the traditional sweet route with this one. I'm so happy to have found a version with turmeric as it's my new favorite spice. It's so versatile while remaining exotic and fancy. Too bad it stains everything yellow . . . but I digress. It really makes this dish savory. The turmeric balanced with the garlic picked up the sweetness of the squash without being a sugary mess.

Adapted from:
http://www.skinnytaste.com/roasted-delicata-squash-with-turmeric/