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Two more days until Thanksgivinggggg…who else is as psyched as I am?!?! I’m supposed to bring something over to my parents’ house for dessert (no, I’m not hosting this year, and that’s a-okay with me!) but I can’t decide what to make. I’m really the only fan of pumpkin pie (crazy, I know, right?) so I’ve got to think of something else. Anyone have any ideas or tried and true favorites?

So yesterday was a really great day. Jay and I met up with my in-laws for dinner to celebrate my FIL’s birthday and I had the most amazing filet mignon. I also got a super fun package in the mail filled with all sorts of Trader Joe’s goodies.

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The package came from my good friend, Shayla, who lives all the way on the opposite side of the country. Although Shayla and I have never met in person, we’ve been in touch for probably almost two years through blogging and really got closer this past year.

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I could not BELIEVE this package when I opened it up…I mean, seriously. It’s filled with basically all of my favorite TJ’s goodies, including not one, but TWO jars of cookie butter.

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Squeeeeel! Thank you so much, Shayla. You are the BEST!

*****

Even though I really just wanted to dip my new cat cookies (they’re at the bottom of that bag!) into cookie butter for breakfast, I withheld on that. For now.

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Instead, I had a whole wheat English muffin, half with PB&J, half with PB & banana, plus a clementine. Not cookie butter, but not too shabby.

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I picked up a crate of these over the weekend since they were on sale for $3.99, and they’ve been really good so far. Minus the ones with the random seeds though…hate that.

So, another thing I picked up at the store about two weeks ago? This butternut squash.

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Every time I go to make something with it, I wind up changing my mind. I really think I want to make a soup out of it, but I need a good recipe (preferably one that isn’t “curry” anything). Then again, I have seen some interesting pasta dishes with it too.

Do any of you have any awesome butternut squash recipes that you love? If so, feel free to share! I need to use up this bad boy, like, today. Winking smile

Comments

  3. Best dessert I've made, and ALWAYS comes out amazing is called Almost Famous Pumpkin Cheesecake. You can google it- I believe its on the foodnetwork website as well. Amazing amazing amazing. People RAVE about it. Especially when I whip up some whipped cream on the spot to dollop on top :) Enjoy!
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  4. Do they like pumpkin, but just not pumpkin pie? Because if so, I am telling you, Paula Deen's pumpkin gooey butter cake is the best thing EVER. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/pumpkin-gooey-butter-cakes-recipe/index.html Trust me on this one! ;) I also have a caramel apple cheesecake on my blog that is really easy and always a crowd favorite!
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    • I make Paula Deen's Pumkin Gooey Butter Cake every Thanksgiving! My family wouldn't let me in the door if I showed up without it :-)
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  10. I have that same problem with butternut squash!! I like it fine just roasted, but I always want to make something creative with it. One of my favorite butternut squash recipes is cheesy enchiladas (http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/11/butternut-squash-enchiladas/). I also really like this soup (http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipe/soups/butternut-squash-soup-with-gruyere-toasts/) but it does have some curry in it. You can't taste it much though!!
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  11. Do they like pecan pie? Cause you could do a CHOCOLATE pecan pie. I'm sure if you Googled it, you'd find a recipe. My aunt makes this at Thanksgiving, and it's to die for.
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  12. One of my all-time favorite desserts are scotcheroos...you can never go wrong with those! I just made butternut squash mac and cheese (the post should be linked below) and it was really good! Definitely a fun way to eat one of my favorite squashes.
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  14. AH the Trader Joe's cat cookies are the best!! I have just added the chocolate ones to my weekly grocery run.... though the ginger and vanilla flavors always call my name, too. Which did Shayla send you? Emma
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  18. Jessica's Butternut Squash Shells are to die for. So, so good! I can't seem to get enough squash this fall. :) http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/10/easy-butternut-skillet-shells/ How are you THE ONLY one who likes pumpkin pie? Craziness. Sounds a bit like my family. ;) I think only three of us like it...
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  21. This isn't a soup recipe for butternut squash but I did make some awesome nachos using one! It's a little putzy but definitely a fun way to use it up! http://www.beautifullynutty.com/na-cho-average-nachos/
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  22. Oh yum! One of my favorite fall-back recipes is from last year's Cooking Light magazine - its a creamy, lightened up version of mac and cheese, but uses pureed butternut squash in place of the loads of heavy cream and butter. Check it out - awesome! http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/recipe-makeovers/light-macaroni-cheese-00412000072555/ Also, I was told to bring a dessert to our Thanksgiving meal too. I usually go with some sort of cookie or cake, but this year I found a recipe for Pumpkin Bread Pudding and I'm going to give it a whirl! I thought it looked SO good, and totally different than most desserts I gravitate toward :)
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  24. Awww I just LOVE Shayla!! Isn't she the best?!?! I've seen all sorts of delicious looking pasta recipes out there lately using butternut squash, but I've only ever tried Oh She Glows Mac & Cheese which was very good! I just love chopping it up, tossing it in olive oil, cinnamon, salt & pepper, and roasting it! It makes a delicious side for dinner or you can throw it in salads.
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  25. Though I don't have any specific recipes to suggest, I definitely would vote for either a soup or pasta. I'd have both in the past they are two of my favorite squash creations :) I should probably do some research & make some myself now that I think of it!
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  28. I love this Squash Feta Casserole recipe around the holidays. It call for acorn squash, but I don't see why you couldn't do it with butternut squash? http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Acorn-Squash-Feta-Casserole
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  29. I love butternut squash. I basically eat it by itself, no special recipe. Just cook it in simmering water like potatoes, mash it up with some butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and you're done. It's a delicious side dish for Thanksgiving, my family makes it every year!
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  30. I'm not much of a pie person ( I know, Gasp! ), the only pie that I have come across that I like is chocolate cream pie. It's so easy, graham cracker crust with chocolate pudding, let it sit in the fridge to cool-delish :)
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  31. I just made the most delicious pasta with roasted butternut squash last night. All you do is roast the squash for 20 minutes, cook up some angel hair pasta, cook some spicy turkey sausage, and make a cheese sauce out of laughing cow, a bit of flour and milk. Mix it all together and it is so delicious!
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  34. I also need to come up with a dessert to take to my moms. Can't wait to hear what u decide. I have a Carmel apple pie, a chocolate fudge pie, a snickers cheesecake and a pumpkin cheesecake oh and a pumpkin bread with cream cheese filling pinned. Obviously I have no idea!
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  35. Our family always makes a Rum Cake for dessert, and its sooooo good! Highly recommend it : ) http://baking.about.com/od/bundtcakes/r/bacardirum.htm And As for the butternut squash, Oh She Glows has a really delicious mac & cheese recipe for it!
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  36. This is by far my favorite squash recipe - not sure how it would work with Butternut but may be worth a try: http://www.food.com/recipe/zucchini-or-yellow-squash-casserole-26557
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  37. I personally like it roasted with some cinnamon and brown sugar and then you add craisins at the end =) or you can mash it up like sweet potatoes. It is also great to toss in salads if you have leftovers.
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  38. Ina Garten's squash is hands down my favorite meal in the entire world. Also, the easiest! Soooo recommend to you or anyone looking for a good Thanksgiving sidedish. It makes up 90 percent of my plate on Thanksgiving. Recipe: 1 large butternut squash 1 head garlic separated but not peeled 2 Tbsp. good olive oil 2 1/2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup 1 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 2 ounces thinly sliced pancetta chopped 16 whole fresh sage leaves French bread for serving Directions Preheat oven to 400°. Peel and seed butternut squash and then cut into 3/4- to 1-inch cubes. Place squash and whole unpeeled garlic cloves in a baking dish or sheet pan large enough to hold them all in one layer. Toss with olive oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper, and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until squash begins to brown, turning once during baking. Sprinkle pancetta and sage leaves evenly over squash and continue to bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, until squash and garlic are tender and caramelized. Season to taste and serve hot with French bread for guests to spread with the roasted garlic.
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  39. If they like Pumpkin just not the pie I make a delicious dessert every year called Pumpkin Crunch...kind of like a yummy pumpkin cake.
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  40. I'm actually not a huge fan or pumpkin pie either, but you could always go for a pecan or apple pie. As for the butternut squash, I tried a lasagna recipe from Clean Eating that was absolutely amazing. A little bit of work, but so worth it http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/Recipes/Recipe/Butternut-Squash-Lasagna-with-Caramelized-Onions-Walnuts.aspx
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  42. I loooooove butternut squash! The hard part is cutting it without losing a finge! I just roast cut up pieces with olive oil, salt & pepper till they are golden brown and tender. Then I eat them all since my boyfriend won't touch them! Good with ketchup too- like healthy homefries almost.
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  43. For the butternut squash, here are two of my favorite soup recipes! http://cleaneatingchelsey.com/2011/10/27/slow-cooker-butternut-squash-and-apple-soup/ http://www.cookincanuck.com/2011/11/hearty-chicken-stew-with-butternut-squash-quinoa-recipe/
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  44. Awww Shayla rocks! She is one of the sweetest girls I know. She told me you connected and I'm so glad you did. BTW, I'm also beyond excited for Tday. I'm making a pumpkin pie to eat all by myself. Not lying ;)
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  47. I want to try cookie butter so badly! But at the same time I don't want to because I know I'd become obsessed with it and go through way too many jars in one day. So maybe I don't want to try it...
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  48. I just got a bunch of Trader Joe's goods from my foodie pen pal this month...sad confession I've never been to one. I bet that cookie butter is fabulous! What a great friend.
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  53. Butternut Squash and Apple Soup 1 large butternut squash 1 large onion, sliced 1 large apple, diced 2 cups apple cider 1-2 cups water or broth 1 tablespoon olive oil, for sautéing Salt + Pepper, to taste Prepare butternut squash by halving, seeding, and roasting in a 425 degree oven until super tender (or microwave). Remove skin and set flesh aside. Cook onion in a pan until translucent. Add diced apple and cook until soft. Puree apples, onions, and cooked squash. Return to pan and add cider and enough water (or broth) until desired consistency. Salt and pepper to taste. This is super good served with beer bread made with your favorite pumpkin ale.
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  54. I/ with you with the butternit squash! I have one on my counter for two weeks and everytime I think, I'll make this with it, I say nah! So there it sits waiting to be used! I usually end up roasting it and then adding it to salads, as a side dish or on top of pizza! When it's roasted it's so versatile, plus I grab a few pieces of it for a quick snack! I love it!
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  55. Say hello to a great pumpkin pie alternative: PUMPKIN DUMP CAKE!! http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-dump-cake/Detail.aspx Really good with Cool Whip and it doesn't have that "custard-y" / "flan-y" texture of pumpkin pie. If all else fails, I'm sure one of your outstanding cupcakes wouldn't disappoint!!
    Reply

  56. Butternut squash macaroni and cheese is pretty much a revelation. Oh She Glows has a vegan version, and I have a traditional version on my blog that is pretty delicious if I do say so myself. http://www.lawfullyweddedwife.com/my-recipage/?recipe_id=6035891
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  57. I love butternut and spaghetti squash because they last forever!! Apples too. My favorite comfort food is butternut squash mac n cheese. You won't be disappointed!!
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  60. Last week my sister and I made a delicious butternut squash lasagna!! It was Giada De Laurentis and it was to die for, we added sliced tomatoes and spinach to it for a little extra something and it was awesome! The recipe is here: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/butternut-squash-lasagna-recipe/index.html
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  61. I had an amazing butternut squash apple soup from Whole Foods the other day. Not sure if the recipe could be found online but it was perfect for fall!
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  62. For Thanksgiving, I'm in the same boat as you! I'm going to the boyfriend's family's house for the meal, and they requested that I bring dessert; anything except pumpkin pie. Okay...? So, I decided to make a sampler plate, filled with a bunch of different goodies, since I don't know what everyone likes, yet. Plus, there will be kids, and we all know that kids can be finicky eaters. I am making pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, mini apple cider cupcakes with apple cider cream cheese frosting (yes, YOUR recipe), and I found a chocolate chip cookie brownie recipe that I'm going to make, and of course some jello jigglers, and ummm, I'm drawing a blank. I know there was something else, but I just can't think of it right now. Anyway, maybe you could also make a sampler plate of your favorite desserts, and everyone can pick what they want.
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  63. my boyfriend makes a mean butternut apple soup-- It's pretty much roasted butternut squash, apple, and chicken broth - then puree! I could live off the stuff. I also tried the butternut squash mac & cheese from cooking light - and it was yummy!
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  66. This is my favorite butternut squash soup recipe. It sounds simple, but it tastes SO GOOD. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/best-butternut-squash-soup-ever/
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  68. I always make this Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake- It's pretty easy and AMAZING. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/philadelphia-pumpkin-swirl-cheesecake/
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  70. Do they like pumpkin stuff? If so Libby's pumpkin roll is awesome! If the recipe is not on the can of pumpkin anymore I'm sure it is on the website... always a huge hit with my family!!
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  71. that trader joe's bag of goodies looks so awesome! you have some pretty cool friends :) i am so excited for thanksgiving - i am going home for the first time since i've been away at college! my birthday is also the day after so basically this whole upcoming weekend is going to be fantastic.
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  72. I love butternut squash! Simply roasted with apple served with toasted pecans tossed in a little olive oil and black pepper it's amazing! Here's a link to all my favourites - soups, salads..the tahini squash chickpea salad on their is firm favourite! http://peachypalate.com/recipage/?search_term=butternut%20squash&ui=882
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  74. Hi Courtney! Wow, so happy to have found your blog-and just in time for Thanksgiving! I am also making dessert for our Thanksgiving, and while it does have pumpkin as part of the ingredients, it does not taste like pumpkin pie, so it is a Thanksgiving crowd pleaser! I am making Apple-Pumpkin Bars with Buttery Caramel Frosting. Sounds over-indulgent, but they are actually pretty healthy. They are also completely free of the top 8 food allergens and gluten free! You can get the recipe at my blog, or I would be happy to e-mail it to you! No matter what dessert you decide to make, I hope you have a great time and a relaxing holiday!
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  78. Your friend is so good to you! I have seriously thought of doing this for others who don't have TJ's near them. I lived in Colorado for a long time and was TJ deprived. Now that one is near me, it's all I eat sometimes. I love those cat cookies! All their cookies, really... I have yet to try the cookie butter, but based on your reaction, I think I'll pick some up next time.
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  80. This is my favorite butternut squash recipe - no curry and it's a soup! http://www.fiberfarm.com/2010/09/this-is-what-youre-making-for-dinner-tomorrow-night
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  81. I gave up on buying the whole squash awhile ago in fear of loosing a hand in the cutting process. THe pre-cut is just so darn convenient, even if it is an extra dollar. :)
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  82. Awwwww you're so welcome lovely!!!!!!! I hope you enjoy them all and I'm so very happy we've stayed in touch and could not be more happy to be here for you friend - even though we're 3,000 miles away but I'm making it my mission we meet someday!! ;) Love ya girl :) xoxo
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  83. So many good recipes people have left! I gotta try the mac & cheese. I personally love butternut squash and quinoa. You simply roast the butternut squash then mix it with some cooked quinoa and melt Parmesan cheese into it. It's delightful!
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  84. I made a butternut squash soup in the crock pot with chicken stock, sauteed onions, a pinch of cayenne and added cream cheese at the end. The only thing I would have done differently was to blend the cream cheese with everything rather than just adding it after blending. I'll probably never make it again though, those squashes are TOUGH to break down. I almost broke my knife! It came out really tasty though, nice and creamy :)
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  86. It's just not Thanksgiving without a Peanut Butter Pie in an Oreo or Graham Cracker crust in my house! Wish I had a) someone to send me TJ's goodies or b) had a TJ's closer then 8 hrs away :(
    Reply

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