Butternut squash, shaped somewhat like a pear, has a pale orange skin and bright orange flesh. This winter squash, which grows on a vine, has a sweet, nutty taste, similar to pumpkin but with firmer, less watery flesh.
Botanically, butternut is classified as a fruit (specifically a berry) but as it is not sweet, it is considered to be the fruit of a vegetable, along with its family members pumpkin & zucchini.
The origins of butternut can be traced back to the Central America’s where there is evidence of it being consumed over 10 000 years ago! The use of the word squash comes from indigenous American languages where the word “askutasquash” means eaten raw, and the designation has stuck, even though butternut is most commonly eaten cooked.
Did you know that even butternut pips are even edible. Try washing the pips well to remove any flesh, coat in olive oil, season with salt and pepper and roast for 6 – 8 minutes – these make a delicious, fibre filled snack and an interesting addition to salads and roasts.
Our free recipe this month is for my easy Curried Butternut Soup. This easy, totally yummy soup makes an ideal light meal, or a divine starter. Keep reading to find the recipe.
Let nothing squash your creativity in the kitchen!
Gourd-Geous Butternut Squash: What’s in it for me?
Butternut is a nutrient dense, fibre rich, versatile ingredient. It consists of 88% water, so it’s great for hydrating one’s system, and 11% carbohydrate (low on the glycemic index as the carbohydrates are digested slowly). Butternut is high in vitamins and minerals. It is rich in magnesium, potassium, folate, calcium and manganese, is a rich source of Vitamin A (one serving supplies more than 100% of RDA) and a moderate source of Vitamin C & B6.
Butternut is suprisingly low in calories. 100g of cooked butternut = 48 calories, so it is considered helpful with weight management as well as brain and heart health when sensibly included into a nutritionally balanced diet.
Squash called in sick, it was feeling a bit mashed ☺.
Lets Squash Any Doubts About Storage
Butternut is ready to eat 3 – 6 months after harvesting. If you are lucky enough to have butternut growing in your garden, remember that it need to cure for at least 2 months after ripening.
Butternut is best stored at about 10⁰ C, 50% humidity.
If There’s A Will, There’s A Way To Add Squash To Your Day!
Things to do with butternut:
Christine’s hot tip: I find raw butternut just plain scary and difficult to peel! To reduce the risk and danger level, prick the butternut well and then microwave whole for just 3 minutes. Allow to cool and peel as desired.
As life can get very busy in our house, I love quick, easy, tasty recipes that don’t involve much fuss. This is my adaptation of traditional butternut soup. The little kick of curry just livens up the creamy butternut base of this soup and my family lap it up every time I make it! I hope you have similar success with it ☺.
When life gives you squash, make soup!
Easy Curried Butternut Soup
Serves 4 – 6
Ingredients:
- 2 onions – chopped
- 15 ml olive oil
- Approx. 800 g cubed, peeled butternut
- 750 ml boiling water
- 4 crushed chicken or vegetable stock cubes (or 20 ml stock powder)
- 7,5 ml curry powder
- 2,5 ml ginger powder
- 125 ml cream / milk / coconut milk
- Freshly ground black pepper
Method:
- Heat oil in a large pot.
- Add chopped onion and sauté until glossy.
- Add the cubed butternut, boiling water, stock cubes/powder, curry powder and ginger.
- Bring to the boil with the lid on the pot.
Lower the temperature to medium and simmer until the butternut is soft (approx. 30 – 40 minutes). - Blend until smooth (I use a handheld immersion blender).
- Stir through the cream until partially mixed.
- Ladle into serving bowl/s.
- Grind a little black pepper over the surface.
- Serve hot with crusty bread.
Christine’s hot tip: I usually cook the butternut whole (as in the YouTube link I shared above), scoop out the soft, cooked flesh and use in this recipe – it reduces the soup cooking time by half!
These blogs are not only fascinating, but jam-packed with humor and useful tips. I always enjoy reading them, and learn something new. Thank you so much for putting in the time to share your pearls of wisdom. It’s so appreciated ♡.
Thank you for the positive feedback. Its so good to hear that you find the info worthwhile.