Struggle Meals Season 5 Episode 5 Super Squash

In this episode of Struggle Meals season 5, titled "Super Squash," host Frankie Celenza shares his tips and tricks for making delicious meals using winter squash. He starts off by explaining the different varieties of winter squash, including butternut, acorn, and spaghetti squash.

Frankie then demonstrates how to make a simple, yet flavorful butternut squash soup. He roasts the squash in the oven with some garlic and thyme, and then blends it with chicken broth to create a creamy soup. He adds some croutons and bacon as toppings for extra crunch and flavor.

Next up, Frankie makes a hearty acorn squash and sausage pasta bake. He begins by roasting the squash with some brown sugar and butter, which brings out its natural sweetness. He then cooks some sausage and mixes it with cooked pasta and a creamy sauce made from heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. He layers the sausage and pasta mixture with the roasted squash in a baking dish and tops it with more Parmesan cheese before baking it until bubbly and golden brown.

For a vegetarian option, Frankie shows viewers how to make a roasted spaghetti squash with pesto and ricotta. He roasts the spaghetti squash in the oven until tender, and then uses a fork to scrape the flesh into strands that resemble spaghetti. He mixes the spaghetti squash with some homemade pesto made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. He then tops it with dollops of ricotta cheese and some toasted pine nuts for crunch.

Finally, Frankie demonstrates how to make a savory pumpkin tart for dessert. He starts by making a pastry dough from scratch, using a mix of flour, butter, and sugar. He rolls out the dough and fits it into a tart pan, then fills it with a mixture of pureed pumpkin, brown sugar, spices, and eggs. He bakes the tart until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown, then tops it off with a dollop of whipped cream and some chopped pecans.

Throughout the episode, Frankie offers tips for making the most of winter squash, including how to roast it, puree it, and use it in different types of dishes. He also emphasizes the importance of using simple, affordable ingredients to create delicious meals at home.

Overall, "Super Squash" is a mouth-watering episode of Struggle Meals that shows viewers how to make the most of one of the season's most versatile ingredients. Whether you're a meat-lover or a vegetarian, there's something in this episode for everyone. So grab a winter squash and get cooking!