Stovetop Kabocha Squash: Sweet, Quick, and Easy

Nutrition

Nov 20

Why Stovetop Kabocha Squash?

With its warm orange color and naturally sweet flavor, kabocha squash is cozy, nourishing, and so good. Cooking it on the stovetop makes for a quick and easy preparation as it softens nicely, caramelizes beautifully, and adjusts in the pan to your liking.

slices of kabocha squash on a black background for easy stovetop recipe — *Image generated using AI.*

Health Benefits

A kind of winter squash, kabocha squash inherently provides fiber and certain nutrients, such as beta carotene and vitamin C, among others (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, n.d.).

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, squash supports the spleen and stomach with its energetically warm and sweet properties (Pitchford, 2002, p. 549). As part of the middle burner, these organs are significant to the process of digesting food and providing the body with qi (Kastner, 2021, p. 20).

flat lay of kabocha squash slices on a black background for easy stovetop recipe — *Image generated using AI.*

What You’ll Need:

Kabocha Squash
Avocado Oil
Salt
Pepper

whole kabocha squash on a black background for easy stovetop recipe — *Image generated using AI.*

What to Do:

Thoroughly wash the kabocha squash, then cut it in half and remove the center seeds. Slice the halves into smaller pieces, leaving the skin on.
With avocado oil in a pan, turn the heat to medium and add in the kabocha squash. Toss it with salt and pepper, then cover the pan with a lid and let it cook.
Check on it every couple of minutes, tossing it around so the flesh and skin cook through fully, becoming soft, tender, and deeper in color.
Near the end, it's optional to add freshly crushed garlic, honey, or other fresh herbs for flavor — then enjoy.

Shop this Post:

Below are Amazon affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. Some items are general suggestions and may not be products that I personally own or use.

Sur La Table Stainless Steel Cookware Set — shop here
Henckels Premium Quality 15-Piece Knife Set — shop here
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Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Tradition and Modern Nutrition, Third Edition by Paul Pitchford — shop here
Chinese Nutrition Therapy: Dietetics in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Third Edition by Jörg Kastner — shop here

References:

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (n.d.). Winter squash. The Nutrition Source. Retrieved [date you accessed the article], from https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/winter-squash/

Kastner, J. (2021). Chinese nutrition therapy: Dietetics in traditional Chinese medicine (3rd ed.). Thieme.

Pitchford, P. (2002). Healing with whole foods: Asian traditions and modern nutrition (3rd ed.). North Atlantic Books.

Dr. Amanda Ortiz

Dr. Amanda Ortiz is a licensed acupuncturist certified by the California Acupuncture Board. An artist and writer at heart, she holds both a Master’s and Doctoral degree in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her private practice is based in Venice, CA.