Whipped Squash — The Next Thing You Need

February. I went to therapy. First session. A counselor named Dr. Williams at a community health center. He asked me what brought me in. I said, "My brother was murdered and I process everything through cooking and I don't know if that's healthy." He said, "It sounds like cooking is how you survive. Let's talk about what else you need." What else I need. I need my brother back. That is not something therapy can provide. But maybe therapy can provide the next thing: the ability to carry the loss without being crushed by it.

When I got home from that first session, I didn’t want anything complicated. I didn’t want to chop, didn’t want to think, didn’t want to perform. I just needed something warm and soft and quiet — something that wouldn’t ask anything of me. Whipped squash is that dish. You cut it open, you roast it, you mash it with butter and a little brown sugar, and it holds you the way comfort food is supposed to. No technique required. Just patience, and a willingness to let heat do the work you can’t do yourself.

Whipped Squash

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 large butternut squash (about 3 pounds), halved and seeded
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons warm milk or cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
2. Roast the squash. Place the squash halves cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 45 to 50 minutes, until the flesh is completely tender when pierced with a fork.
3. Scoop and mash. Let the squash cool for a few minutes, then scoop the flesh into a large bowl. Discard the skin.
4. Whip it smooth. Add the butter, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper to the squash. Beat with an electric mixer or mash vigorously with a potato masher until smooth and fluffy. Add the warm milk one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
5. Taste and adjust. Check seasoning and add more salt or brown sugar if needed. Serve warm.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 140 | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Carbs: 24g | Fiber: 4g | Sodium: 200mg