Kabocha Squash, also referred to as Japanese squash, is my favorite winter squash. It is a touch sweeter than most winter squash, and to me, has a creamier texture, making it the perfect squash for a creamy winter soup. It roasts beautifully, using the same method as you would a pumpkin or butternut squash, but it does have a couple of differences. First of all, it’s one hard squash to cut open. You need a big knife and a strong arm. Secondly, the peel is edible which, for some recipes, is a good thing since this a very difficult squash to peel.
In a recent search of Kabocha squash recipes, I was pleasantly surprised at the number of recipes I found. However, I was most surprised at the creativity of the recipes found. So instead of keeping these finds to myself, I put together this collection of Kabocha squash recipes. If you haven’t tried Kabocha before, then it’s time to head to the market and pick one up. For those of you who already cook with Kabocha, I’m sure you’ll see at least one recipe that you’ll just have to try.
Kabocha Squash
Photo Credit: Wok With Ray
Main Dishes with Kabocha Squash
Kabocha Pork Stirfry @Just One Cookbook
Photo credit: Just One Cookbook
Photo credit: Cooking Crossroads
Kabocha, Lentil, and Coconut Stew @What about the food
Photo credit: Robin E. H. Ove
Kabocha Squash and Fennel Soup @MJ’s Kitchen
Photo Credit: MJ’s Kitchen
Kabocha and Black Bean Frittata @Sprint 2 the Table
Super Spicy Pork Curry with Kabocha Squash @Chopping Board
Thai Kabocha Squash Curry – Oh My Veggies
Baked Chicken Risotto with Kabocha Squash @A Cedar Spoon
Pumpkin Beer Cheese Soup with Kabocha
Creamy Kabocha Tuffle Pasta @Bam’s Kitchen
Side Dishes with Kabocha Squash
Kabocha and Kale Salad with Persimmon @The Wimpy Vegetarian
Photo credit: The Wimpy Vegetarian
Roasted Kabocha Squash and Eggplant Tacos with Poblano Crème @Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
Simmered Kabocha Squash in Shio Koji @Just One Cookbook
Baby Kale Harvest Salad @Eating Bird Food
Tamarind and Kabocha Squash Soup @Vegan Runner Eats
Soy Glazed Kabocha Squash with Japanese Sesame Seasoning @Season with Spice
Sweets and Treats with Kabocha Squash
Kabocha Squash and Coconut Pudding @Savory Moments
Photo Credit: Savory Moments
Kabocha Squash Cheesecake @The Blenderist
Photo credit: The Blenderist
Sweet Kabocha Pudding @MJ’s Kitchen
Photo credit: MJ’s Kitchen
Kabocha Tang Yuan and Sago in Pandan Coconut Milk – Daily Cooking Quest
Kabocha Squash Ice Cream with Maple Pecans @Cooking Channel tv
Breakfast Farro with Kabocha Squash and Coconut Milk @Fake Food Free
One more Creative Kabocha Creation
Baked Kabocha Squash Chips @Veggies Don’t Bite
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Great round of up of dishes! I just adore kabocha squash and just looking at your list I have a lot more dishes to experiment with. Thanks so much for including me in your round up.
Thanks so much Bam! There are a lot of great dishes in this list and it was a pleasure to add yours to the list.
The squash fritters and bars caught my eye and imagination MJ. I don’t think so we get this squash here but who knows, the kabocha squash might just appear in our markets one day. MJ we have been getting Anjou pears and huge grapes from the US here. Not sure why because the US seems so far after all.
That’s interesting that you don’t get Kabocha. It’s actually an Asian variety of winter squash and is sometimes referred to as a Japanese pumpkin. Hopefully, it will migrate into your area someday. In the meantime, many of these recipes could be made using other types of winter squash, like the standard pumpkin or butternut. Hope you have a fabulous week!
Beautiful soup MJ and those recipes you linked up are all worth trying.
Thanks Taruna! I agree – they all need to be tried!
What a lovely set of recipes you got there.
Awee…what a wonderful collection of Squash recipe…bookmarking to try many soon! Love those breakfast bars and sweet Kabocha pudding.
Lovely collection of kabocha squash recipes MJ I need to make few from them.
We have grown it in the past, I agree, it is pretty amazing. So much flesh inside, because the seed cavity is smaller than a lot of winter squashes. This is a fantastic round up MJ!
What a great round up… I feel so inspired to go to the Asian store and get some kabocha squash and make your beautiful soup. 🙂
It is a favorite squash of mine too and I would not know which recipe to start with, they all look so tempting.
These recipes look delicious, but I especially like your soup! That soup looks so creamy, and I’m betting it’s wonderful…a great way to warm up. Thanks for sharing all these great recipes!
What an amazing collection of recipes! Such variety. I never knew the name of that squash. AND I am not sure I have tried it. I am now. I am still reeling at the number of recipes. What a fun post!
Thank you for sharing so many kabocha recipes. Your soup looks just breathtakingly beautiful. I can almost smell the fennel aroma… (I love fennel!).
I keep seeing recipes using kabocha squash but haven’t tried it. Thank you for the inspiring post, MJ…I must buy some soon.
You have so many different types of squashes there. here in Greece we only have butternut squash and the classic pumpkin. This is a beautiful collection of recipes!
Thanks Katerina! We do have a huge selection of squash here and sometimes it’s hard to decide. 😉
As a huge kabocha fan, reading through this round up was a real fun!!!! I often end up with Japanese kabocha dishes so it was a very nice inspiration for new kabocha dishes! Thank you for including my recipes too. xoxo
You’ve got some great Kabocha recipes on your site Nami! It was difficult choosing one to feature. 🙂 thanks for sharing!
A fantastic roundup, MJ. I want to try those puddings!
Kabocha is my go to squash because it’s delicious. The only thing I dislike about it is it is hard to peel. I guess one just have to be patient and careful peeling it. Thank you very much for using the images and for the mention. I hope you are having a fabulous week! 🙂
It’s impossible to peel!!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your beautiful images with us Ray! Hope you’re having a great week!
I was turned onto kabocha squash last year and there was no turning back! I love this round up of great recipes, and thank you for linking up to my autumn minestrone! 🙂
The same thing happened to me Marcie. 🙂 Thanks for sharing such a great recipe.
What an inspiring collection of Kabocha dishes! I am going to make Chicken tajine with kabocha. Thank you so much for including my recipe.
Chicken tajine with kabocha sounds quite interesting. Thanks for sharing you recipe with us!
I adore kabocha – it’s one of my favorite of the squash family! As hard as it is to cut, I find it easier than pumpkins to cut through. MJ – your soup sounds so mouthwatering as do all thees kabocha recipes – thanks so so very much for including my kabocha and chocolate chip bars!
I can’t wait to make those chocolate chip bars of yours Shashi! Thanks for sharing them with us here.
Great round-up, MJ! Kabocha is one of my favorite winter squash. Thanks so much for featuring my recipe!
Thank you for sharing Amy!!!
I love these roundups you post. Very comprehensive list, MJ.
Thanks for mentioning my Baked Kabocha Squash Chips! I love Kabocha squash, great collection of recipes you have here!
Thanks Sophia! Your chips look fabulous!
I love this squash, although it’s technically a pumpkin here. All these recipes look really good. You added some lovely dishes.
What a great collection of recipes! I like kabocha squash, a lot, but haven’t done that much with it. You’ve given me a great place to start! Thanks so much.
A lovely collection of recipes, thank you for including mine!
You are most welcome and thanks for sharing!
I love your roundup, MJ!! Thanks so much for including mine, and now I can’t wait to try more kabocha squash goodness here. You’re right – it’s almost creamy, perfect for soup 🙂
Thanks for sharing your recipe with us Susan!!