Puréed Buttercup Squash

For a golden all-purpose purée, buttercup will fill the bill. To serve as a savory side dish, add pinches of ground fennel seeds and thyme, or cook with sautéed garlic and onions. Or use the purée as the base for puddings, pies, soufflés, muffins—anything for which pumpkin would be appropriate. As a side dish, figure on 1 pound squash per person (which will give you about 1 cup per person).