Acorn Squash Dip

Of late, my schedule has been erratic for one lovely reason. A grand daughter. So I’m re-posting from last fall – one of my favorite autumnal dips.

Forget chicken wings and nachos! This is what you want to feast on during a football game! Polish sausage dipped into a curried acorn squash dip!!!

If curry scares you, don’t worry, because there are so many ways to flavor this dip. In fact, if you don’t have an acorn squash, you can always use a can of pumpkin or sweet potato!

So here’s my recipe for this dip:

Curried Acorn Squash Dip

1 acorn squash, halved, cleaned of seeds, or a small butternut squash
1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
1/2 onion, very finely chopped
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon or so curry powder, or 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon coriander, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon

First of all, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the acorn squash halves in a pan filled with a little water. Bake them uncovered for at least one hour; poke them to make sure they’re cooked through.

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Set them aside to cool. Once they’re cool, remove the squash from the peel and coarsely chop it.

Meanwhile, heat the butter in a saucepan. Add the onion and cook over fairly low heat until it’s practically translucent. Add the garlic and stir it in for a few seconds. Then add the squash. Beat it down with your wooden spoon to mix with the onion and garlic, and let it cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. We don’t want “wet” squash.

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Place the cream cheese in a large bowl and warm it up if necessary. Place a ricer over the bowl with the cream cheese, and rice the squash mixture using the disc with fairly small holes.

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When you’re done, whisk the cream cheese and squash together. Add the salt and curry powder. Taste and check for seasoning.

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The dip is delicious served with pieces of Polska Kielbasa, or with blue corn chips. Serve the dip warm.

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note: Like I said, this dip is also good made with pumpkin puree – add a pinch of allspice to it if you prefer it over the curry powder. If you prefer, keep the dip plain with salt and pepper, or add a little dried thyme to taste. Also, you could substitute a creamy goat cheese in this dip. And for my last suggestion, use my white bean dip recipe for a combination white beans and pumpkin dip. Another deliciously easy fall dip!

By Published On: October 17th, 201425 Comments on Acorn Squash Dip

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

25 Comments

  1. mittsandmeasures October 17, 2014 at 9:24 AM - Reply

    This looks so interesting and delicious. I’m going to have to try this over the weekend!

  2. sallybr October 17, 2014 at 9:30 AM - Reply

    A grand daughter! That is wonderful!!!!!

    and the dip, super creative, love it…

  3. eliotthecat October 17, 2014 at 9:30 AM - Reply

    This is so inventive. Who wouldn’t love smoked sausage dipped in this golden stuff?

  4. thefolia October 17, 2014 at 11:50 AM - Reply

    What a great looking dip…happy dipping!

  5. apuginthekitchen October 17, 2014 at 7:16 PM - Reply

    Wonderful dip and congratulations on the Grand daughter what fun you will have teaching her to cook.

    • chef mimi October 18, 2014 at 1:24 PM - Reply

      You know, I hadn’t even thought about that yet!!!

  6. Elaine @ foodbod October 18, 2014 at 6:53 AM - Reply

    Lovely dip :) congratulations on your grand daughter xxx

  7. DellaCucinaPovera October 19, 2014 at 5:45 AM - Reply

    Congrats on becoming a grannie, Mimi!

    • chef mimi October 19, 2014 at 8:24 AM - Reply

      Thank you! I’m trying to think of a grannie name besides Mimi, which is common here in the US!

  8. Rörschåch October 19, 2014 at 8:07 AM - Reply

    You’re using a food mill? So proud.

  9. chef mimi October 19, 2014 at 8:24 AM - Reply

    I love that food mill!

  10. dianeskitchentable October 19, 2014 at 3:25 PM - Reply

    What a great dip and with the smoked sausage it would be a sure winner in this house. Congratulations on your granddaughter! Is this your first grandchild?

    • chef mimi October 19, 2014 at 3:59 PM - Reply

      Yes it is! It’s fun, although at 3 weeks she’s not doing much…

      • dianeskitchentable October 19, 2014 at 4:42 PM

        If I remember correctly there’s probably 2 things she’s doing at 3 weeks…well 3 things if we count sleep.

  11. spicegirlfla October 19, 2014 at 6:57 PM - Reply

    Awwe…a new baby in the family! What a wonderful reason to be so busy! Obviously I missed this recipe from the past as it sounds absolutely perfect for game days! Love the combination of flavors.

  12. miyoreos October 19, 2014 at 8:05 PM - Reply

    Congrats on a grand daughter :)
    I’ll definitely have to try this dip sometime, it looks delicious!

  13. Three Well Beings October 19, 2014 at 11:34 PM - Reply

    Let me also add my congratulations! How wonderful! And my daughter and I were just talking about the temperatures finally feeling a little bit more like fall and we wanted some baked acorn squash. I can’t wait to show her this recipe! So unexpected and it sounds really delicious!

  14. Choc Chip Uru October 20, 2014 at 5:40 AM - Reply

    Aww congratulations, this is so wonderful! I love your dip as well, eat extra to celebrate :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  15. mmmarzipan November 1, 2014 at 4:42 PM - Reply

    Another fabulously delicious idea, Mimi!

  16. mmmarzipan November 1, 2014 at 4:43 PM - Reply

    And big congrats to you and your family!!!! <3 <3 <3

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