Prepare a Butternut Squash for Cooking
Butternut squash is a winter squash and a member of the gourd family. Butternut squash has a yellowish-orange, bell shaped body, and a rich, nutty flavor that tastes a little like sweet potatoes. Butternut squash is used in purees, baking, and in soups, because it is not as stringy as other squashes. To prepare winter squash for cooking, you may need to wash, Peel a Butternut Squash, cut and process the squash.
Steps
- Buy butternut squash from the market. Butternut squash is usually available year round.
- Look for butternut squash that is firm and has a smooth texture. When you prepare winter squash, you don't want to use soft, over-ripe gourds.
- Select butternut squash with an orange hue for a sweeter tasting squash. When making butternut soup, you want a squash with a sweet taste.
- Harvest butternut squash from your garden.
- Pick the squash from the vines when they are firm and heavy.
- Store winter squash on newspapers in a dry, cool, and ventilated area. Winter squash stores well, so you may cook butternut squash year round.
- Prepare winter squash for soup or puree. When making butternut soup, you need to puree the squash first.
- Wash butternut squash with cold water.
- Slice off the top and bottom of the butternut squash with a knife, and cut it in half.
- Cut the 2 halves of squash lengthwise, so you now have 4 quarters.
- Remove the seeds with a spoon. When you prepare winter squash, you need to remove the seeds.
- Use a paring knife to peel the skin off each quarter.
- Cook butternut squash in a 350 degree Fahrenheit (176.67 C) oven for 40 to 60 minutes, or microwave in a shallow dish with 1/4 cup (59.147 ml) water for 10 to 15 minutes, until the squash is soft.
- Put the squash in a food processor or blender and mix until it is smooth. When making butternut soup, you may freeze the puree for later use.
- Bake butternut squash. You can cook butternut squash just like a baked potato.
- Wash your butternut squash, cut it in half, and pierce it with a fork.
- Place squash in a baking pan.
- Cook butternut squash in a 350 degree Fahrenheit (176.67 C) oven for about 45 minutes.
- Boil butternut squash. You can prepare winter squash like mashed potatoes.
- Follow the procedure for making puree, and then cook butternut squash in a pan of boiling water for 25 to 35 minutes.
- Rinse off the cooked squash, and place the squash in a bowl.
- Smash the prepared winter squash with a fork or potato smasher until smooth.
Tips
- Butternut squash is considered a power food and provides fiber, potassium, and vitamin B6 to your daily diet.
- Try adding garlic salt and butter to your butternut squash for more flavor.
- You can also Store-Butternut-Squash for use in a future dish and save yourself some prep time.
Things You'll Need
- Butternut squash
- Water
- Knife
- Spoon
- Paring knife
- Oven or microwave
- Measuring cup
- Food processor or blender
- Fork
- Baking pan
- Pan for boiling water
- Bowl
