Caramelized Kabocha Squash Recipe

Oven roasting Squash and Pumpkins are the best way to prepare this wonderful ingredient. You are able to maximize the flavors by extracting all those wonderful natural sugars in the vegetable and allow them to caramelize on the crust. In this recipe we show you how to make Caramelized Kabocha Squash using some very simple techniques that require very little time, effort, or ingredients. The result is an amazing tasting Roast Squash you can use in all kinds of dishes for your home cooking

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What is Kabocha Squash?

Well, depending on where you live around the world this Squash (or Pumpkin) will have many different names. Other common names for this delicious ingredient are the Kent Pumpkin, Japanese Pumpkin, or JAP Pumpkin. Funnily enough, JAP isn’t an abbreviation for Japanese, but instead stands for ‘Just Another Pumpkin’, which I find quite funny

I guess because the Kabocha Squash is such a common Pumpkin and looks like your generic ‘Pumpkin’, that’s where it got the name JAP Pumpkin. Anyway, regardless of what it’s called you can identify it for its round classic Pumpkin shape with Dark Green skin with steaks or lighter colors running through it

What is a Kabocha Squash — Kabocha Squash can be identified by its unique green skin and classic Pumpkin shape

Because it’s such a common Pumpkin and grows plentifully throughout the Fall and Winter it’s a great ingredient to use in cooking during those seasons. It’s an affordable and hearty ingredient that is extremely versatile in its use in cooking, making it one of the most popular ingredients of the cooler seasons

How to make Roast Caramelized Kabocha Squash

This recipe couldn’t be simpler. All you need is some Olive Oil, Salt, and an Oven. Ok we add some fresh Thyme leaves at the end too, which is optional, but it does provide some nice herby flavors to the Squash

We begin by preparing the Squash. For our recipe below we’re using half the Squash. Good news is most times you buy this type of Squash it comes in segments, either quarters, or halves. What we want to do is to first remove the seeds and pulp from the inside of the Squash. This is very easy to do, just use a spoon to get it all out of there. You can keep the Pumpkin Seeds if you like and roast them to make some delicious Roast Pumpkin Seeds

Now, cut your Squash into segments that resemble similarities to an Orange being segmented, albeit on a larger scale. You want the Squash segments to be somewhat chunky, so I like using the Orange analogy as a comparison. Keep the skin intact, as this will add some flavor to the Squash and help it to stay intact once cooked

Then simply scatter the Squash segments onto a large sheet pan lined with Foil or Parchment Paper and drizzle with a generous amount of Olive Oil on both sides. Season with Salt and straight into the Oven they go at 400F

Beautiful Caramelized Kabocha Squash — The beautiful golden color of Kabocha Squash looks as good as it tastes

Roast the Squash until golden and caramelized

The actual cooking time may vary depending on the size of your Squash, as well as the quantity you are cooking at once and the type of oven you’re using. We’ve found that the sweet spot for roasting is about 30 – 35 minutes

At the 20-minute mark, remove the Squash from the oven and turn them over. The underside of the Squash will be a darkened golden-brown color; this is exactly the color we’re aiming for to achieve perfect Caramelized Kabocha Squash

Roast for a further 10 – 15 minutes until both sides are beginning to caramelize and your Squash is cooked and tender. At this point, simply remove the Squash from the Oven and allow it to cool before slicing away the skin and serving

What dishes can I make using Caramelized Kabocha Squash

Firstly, one of the best ways to enjoy this dish is to simply eat it on its own. It’s so tasty and flavorful, and pairs great as a nice Vegetable Side Dish to a hearty meal. I love it alongside a nice piece of Roast Lamb, Beef, or Pork with some nice homemade gravy

A delicious Squash Soup is one of many amazing dishes you can make with this tasty ingredient

Caramelized Kabocha Squash tastes so good as a core ingredient in some classic recipes. Who doesn’t love a nice Pumpkin Soup? Roasting the Pumpkin before blitzing it alongside all the classic ingredients in a Pumpkin Soup will achieve a wonderful flavor. You can check out our Butternut Squash Soup recipe here and simply replace the Butternut Squash with Kabocha

When we whipped up the Squash in the photos you see in this recipe, we utilized it in these ridiculously light and fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes. The Squash gives the Pancakes so much flavor and when paired with some Cinnamon and a touch of Sugar, offer a wonderfully sweet and savory Pancake

This delicious Butternut Squash and Mushroom Risotto makes for a hearty and delicious meal

Finally, why not try using the Caramelized Kabocha Squash in a delicious Butternut Squash and Mushroom Risotto. You can blitz up some of the Squash and incorporate it into the Rice as it cooks down with Stock, and reserve a few pieces as a beautiful and tasty garnish to serve over the top of this creamy and velvety Risotto

Recipe Details

Servings

2 – 4 people

Prep time

10 minutes

Cooking time

35 minutes

Total time

45 minutes