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Do the winter blues have you down? It can be difficult to eat nutritiously in the colder months when all those delicious tropical fruits are either out of season or being sold for exorbitant prices. If you still want to get your vitamin C without paying a premium, you should look into experimenting with winter squash.

While winter squash are harvested in the fall, their long shelf life allows them to last through the long and harsh winter when stored properly. Winter squash may not be the most photogenic of veggies, after all, they're rather warty and abstract, but they are among the tastiest, most nutritious, and cheapest.

There are over a dozen types of winter squash. Some of the most popular are pumpkins (of course), butternut squash, spaghetti squash, and acorn squash. Let's look at a few fun ways to use squash in your meals.

Squash Starters

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Squash doesn't have to be the main event in your meals. In fact, the subtle flavor of winter squash can be an excellent amuse-bouche before a larger meal.

One of the most obvious uses for squash is in soup. Butternut squash soup is a classic that warms you up after a cold day outside. Season with fall spices and you have a velvety warming soup that you'll savor every drop of.

Another easy option is using squash in a salad. The rich color and complex caramelized flavor of roasted butternut squash can add some brightness to even the darkest days. Toss with kale, citrus, and pomegranate for the perfect winter salad.

Squash Mains

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Moving onto the main event, let's shift out focus to two other well-known squashes: acorn squash and spaghetti squash.

While acorn squash can be a pain to cut, the mild and nutty flesh inside is worth every second of the hassle. Cut in half, acorn squash is the perfect vessel for fillings such as rice and other vegetables. Or, if you want something simple and cozy, bake your squash with brown sugar and butter for a dinner that tastes like dessert.

If you're feeling bored with simple spaghetti and meatballs—or if you're looking to feed vegetarians—you can try the next best thing: spaghetti squash. Spaghetti squash has a stringy, chewy texture that's fun to eat. You can use it as a pasta replacement for dishes like lasagna or chicken Parmesan.

Squash Desserts

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Now, it's time for the most important part of any meal: dessert! Dessert may not be the first thing you think of when you consider winter squash, but the possibilities are truly endless. For this section we're going to focus on pumpkins.

The obvious answer is to make pumpkin pie, but pumpkin pie is just the tip of the delicious iceberg. Why not try a creamy pumpkin cheesecake? If you're feeling a little bored of your regular pumpkin pie but aren't quite ready to give it up, pumpkin cheesecake will satisfy that craving and challenge you to try a new recipe.

Or, if you want to really shake things up, you could try pumpkin spice cookies. Topped with cream cheese icing and cinnamon, you'll want to grab one the second they're out of the oven. Mix in white chocolate chips for a dessert that will rival any gourmet bakery.

As we said, there are a ton of squashes out there to try, so don't be afraid to experiment. Squash is enormously forgiving, especially when simmered in soups and stews. Just remember, looks aren't everything!