Tips for Preparing Butternut Squash | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Tips for Preparing Butternut Squash

Teresa Ambra

I was making Butternut Squash Bake for company the other day and realized there may be those who have never prepared butternut squash before and don’t know how to cook it, cut it up, or add it in recipes. So I thought I’d offer a little how-to-lesson on how I do it. I’ve baked the squash and added it to recipes. I’ve boiled it, and I’ve added it freshly peeled to recipes. Any way works wonderfully.

Follow Me On Instagram!

Once you’ve prepared the butternut squash you can use it in soups and bisques, casseroles, lasagnas, even pies and cakes. It’s a delicious squash that’s great to use for holiday baking. I have several recipes using it and I will try to get them posted up in time for the holidays!

If you want to know how to prepare butternut squash than here are some cooking tips for you.

Butternut Squash Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Butternut Squash Bake is one of our favorite ways to use butternut squash.

 Squash and Apple Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

In Squash and Apple Bake I pare and slice the squash but bake it in the oven.

TIPS FOR PREPARING BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Here’s what I did.

Tips for Preparing Butternut Squash | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | ways to cut up and prepare #butternutsquash for #casseroles #soups and even for use in #desserts.

Start by peeling your butternut squash.

Tips for Preparing Butternut Squash | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | ways to cut up and prepare #butternutsquash for #casseroles #soups and even for use in #desserts.

I prefer using a vegetable peeler rather than a knife to pare the skin. This peeler is the one that worked the best.

Tips for Preparing Butternut Squash | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | ways to cut up and prepare #butternutsquash for #casseroles #soups and even for use in #desserts.

This butternut squash was a whopper and not easy to work with. I started by cutting into it about a third of the way. Be really careful with this step. The vegetable is dense and it is really hard to cut into them. Be careful not to cut yourself. I actually had to work my knife back and forth into it like a see-saw!

Tips for Preparing Butternut Squash | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | ways to cut up and prepare #butternutsquash for #casseroles #soups and even for use in #desserts.

Cut the squash down into smaller pieces to boil. 

Tips for Preparing Butternut Squash | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | ways to cut up and prepare #butternutsquash for #casseroles #soups and even for use in #desserts.

The bulb part has all the seeds. Remove the seeds with a spoon.

Tips for Preparing Butternut Squash | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | ways to cut up and prepare #butternutsquash for #casseroles #soups and even for use in #desserts.

Clean them out well.

Tips for Preparing Butternut Squash | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | ways to cut up and prepare #butternutsquash for #casseroles #soups and even for use in #desserts.

Place in a pot of water to boil.

Tips for Preparing Butternut Squash | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | ways to cut up and prepare #butternutsquash for #casseroles #soups and even for use in #desserts.

Test the squash for desired doneness. Pierce the squash with a fork. It will start breaking apart when it’s done. Drain water. You can save the water and use it for vegetable broth or add it to soups if you desire for a richer taste with a lot of vitamins and nutrients.

Tips for Preparing Butternut Squash | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | ways to cut up and prepare #butternutsquash for #casseroles #soups and even for use in #desserts.

If your recipe calls for mashed butternut squash, begin mashing up the squash with a potato masher. This is my old-fashioned potato masher. I’ve had it a long time, but it does the job! Mash squash until completely mashed. This is what it looks like when finished. Some recipes will require a smoother more pureed texture. In that case you will have to use either a mixer or blender.

Butternut Squash Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

I used the mashed butternut squash in my Butternut Squash Bake recipe. Butternut squash is a delicious vegetable that is versatile and can be put in lots of different recipes. I have savory recipes as well as sweet. 

Savory Butternut Squash Bake | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this savory #ButternutSquash #recipe includes a 6-#Cheese #Italian blend that makes this #casserole so mouthwatering our company all wanted seconds! Terrific for #holiday dinners too. #Easter #MothersDay #HolidaySideDish #ButternutSquashCasserole #Squash #SavoryButternutSquashBake

Mashing the squash is the way I use butternut squash for this Savory Butternut Squash Bake, too.

Butternut Squash and Pear Gratin | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

In Butternut Squash and Pear Gratin I only peel the squash. It’s baked in a casserole dish.

The hardest part is peeling and cutting up the squash. If you don’t want to mess with that you can put the squash in the oven and bake it for an hour (or longer for the big whoppers!), then it will easily peel and you can use the contents in recipes as you desire.

You may also enjoy these helpful posts!

Tips for Deboning Chicken

Tips for Deboning Chicken | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Tips for Preparing Holiday Turkey

Tips For Preparing Holiday Turkey | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | Step-by-step directions and pictures for preparing a #turkey for the #holidays. This method is incredibly easy for even a beginning cook.

Cleaning and Seasoning Cast Iron Skillets

Cleaning and Seasoning Cast Iron Skillets - IMG_4585
Tips for Preparing Butternut Squash | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Tips for Preparing Butternut Squash

Teresa Ambra
No ratings yet
Course Veggie
Cuisine American

Notes

© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen
Keyword butternut squash
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

5 Comments

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Previous Post Next Post