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.
