Turkish Turban Squash Bread

This alternative to pumpkin bread will spice up your fall menu. It was created when I was given a Turkish turban squash by a friend who didn't know what to do with it. This recipe can also be made with canned pumpkin, any soft squash, or mashed sweet potatoes, if you prefer, for a delicious, wholesome bread every time.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 2 hr
• Total Time: 2 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 382 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
• ½ cup applesauce
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• ½ cup canola oil
• 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries (such as Craisins®)
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 Turkish turban squash, halved and seeded

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour.

Step 3

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9x5-inch loaf pans.

Step 4

Place turban squash halves cut-side in a baking dish. Pour a small amount of water into the bottom of the dish.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until very soft, about 1 hour. Pour out any moisture that accumulated in the cavity of the squash. Let cool until easily handled, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 6

Scoop squash flesh into a large bowl. Mash until smooth. Transfer to gallon-sized freezer bags and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.

Step 7

Combine 4 cups mashed squash, eggs, white sugar, dark brown sugar, applesauce, oil, vanilla extract, and ginger in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended, about 3 minutes.

Step 8

Whisk all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves together in a separate bowl. Stir into the squash mixture with a wooden spoon until just blended. Fold dried cranberries into the batter.

Step 9

Divide batter between the prepared loaf pans.