Acorn squash is fantastic because it’s packed with vitamins A and C, potassium, folate, and other essential nutrients. It’s also low in fat and has a negligible amount of calories as well. So what do you think? Does this sound like the right kind of food to go with richly flavored meats like duck?
If you’re thinking “yes”, then this article is for you. We’ll take you through all the details of what meats go well with acorn squash.
The meats they go well with Acorn Squash include beef, lamb, chicken, duck and seafood. This is because Acorn Squash has a distinct subtle flavor that enhances the flavor profile of these meats.
Beef
The first thing that comes to mind when we talk about beef is rich and hearty. That’s exactly what acorn squash is not. It’s not rich and hearty, and it doesn’t even have enough to bulk up a vegetarian dish.
There is a clear difference between the two. Beef is the perfect companion to a variety of rich, savory sauces like gravy, chili, or tomato sauce. Acorn squash can do none of that.
And what about stew? That’s a whole other story. A delicious stew is filled with all kinds of things together. Here are some of the best:
- Beef stew is a great match for squash because of the nice, tender texture that it brings to the table.
- If we’re talking about a sandwich, then beef doesn’t really go good with squash.
- Roast beef and squash are a marvelous match because of the smoky flavor that the former imparts to the latter.
- Beef and cream of mushroom soup is a match made in heaven because of the rich, luxurious soup and the meat’s subtle flavor.
Lamb
Lamb is one of the most popular meats that can go well with squash. When it comes to flavor, it’s not as rich as beef, but the delicate flavor of the meat can still stand out against a backdrop of the squash’s mild sweetness.
The lamb and squash combination is also a good choice for a Mediterranean-inspired meal. This is because of the Mediterranean diet’s emphasis on vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats.
One of the best combinations is shepherd’s pie. This combination is created by combining mashed potatoes with lamb and then topping it with cheesy biscuits.
Poultry
If we’re talking about poultry, then the best meat to go with squash is chicken. It’s not necessarily the best meat for any given meal, but it can pretty much fit into any meal.
Some of the best combinations are chicken salad, chicken soup, chicken and rice, and fried chicken and rice. There is really no end to what you can do with chicken and rice.
Another good combination is grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, and salad.
Duck
Duck is a rich, fatty meat that goes great with lots of sauces and veges like squash or even artichokes.. When it comes to squash, you can go with a milder sauce like a duck fat reduction or a balsamic reduction.
The duck fat can also be used to make a glaze for the duck breast.
Acorn squash also goes well with a classic French side dish called haricot verts. This side dish is made from fresh green beans and is often served with a nice piece of duck.
Seafood
The last type of meat that we’ll look at is seafood – specifically shrimp. Shrimp is a very mild-flavored seafood and can be eaten by people of all ages.
Shrimp goes well with a variety of seafood dishes like grilled shrimp and salad, shrimp fajitas, and shrimp and grits.
Conclusion
In this section, we’ve discussed the best meats to go with acorn squash. We’ve also looked at the types of sauce that you can use to enhance the taste of the squash itself. With this information and a bit of trial and error, you should be able to come up with some great combinations of meats and squash.
If you still have questions about which meats go best with which kinds of squash, feel free to ask us in the comments section below!