I always go to the lowest common denominator for that ingredient. So if I think squash, I try to think what it means to me -- and if it doesn't mean anything to me, I'm not gonna do well when I cook it. So [squash] means to me: fall, maple syrup, cinnamon, and things just come into your head so you can narrow the vortex and make it a bit smaller and you go with something because there's no time.
![I always go to the lowest common denominator for that ingredient. So if I think squash, I try to think what it means to me -- and if it doesn't mean anything to me, I'm not gonna do well when I cook it. So [squash]](http://cdn.quoteddaily.com/images/geoffrey-zakarian/i-always-go-to-the-lowest-common-denominator-for-that-ingredient-so-if-i-think-squash-i-try-to-think.jpg)