Cooking Butternut Squash

Cooking Butternut Squash in Everything

Butternut squash is a delicious winter squash that tastes like a
cross between pumpkin and sweet potato. Cooking butternut
squash is very popular in Australia and South Africa and is often
substituted for pumpkin in Australia. Butternut squash is a very
healthy fruit that is a good source of fiber, vitamin C and A,
potassium, magnesium and manganese. The vibrant color is also
an indication of its rich antioxidant content. Cooking butternut
squash is easy because it can be incorporated into all meals and
is versatile enough that you won't get sick of it. 

Choosing and Storing

A butternut squash can come in a few colors, from light yellow to
tan with a vibrant orange flesh. The longer it spends on the vine
the deeper its color. When you choose a butternut squash find
one that is heavy, it will have more flesh. Also make sure that is
free from any blemishes and there are no mold spots on it. You
can store a butternut squash longer than a summer squash, for
about a month at least in cool dry place if it hasn't been cut. If it
has been cut or you don't have a lot of place, simply wrap it in
plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for as long as five days.

Preparing and Cooking

To prepare the squash just cut it lengthwise after rinsing and
remove the seeds. Depending on how you are going to cook it
you can leave the skin on or peel it. Don't throw away the
seeds because you can roast them just like you might with
pumpkin seeds. Cooking butternut squash is easy because of its
texture. It can be easily made into hearty soups during fall and
winter, try and mix it with Asian flavors and ingredients like
coconut milk and a little bit of chili for an interesting contrast
of flavor. 

Cooking butternut squash as a roast is also a good way to cook
it, whether on its own or with other vegetables such as potatoes,
carrots and turnips with a little olive oil. Butternut squash can
also be made into desserts, its sweet flavor and creamy texture
is great in cakes and muffins. Adding steamed squash to a plain
cake will really jazz it up. Little ones who are just starting on
solid foods will adore it when you try cooking butternut squash
purees for them. It is a healthy food to introduce into baby's diet
as well as very easy to prepare.