Wednesday, February 23, 2011

1-2-3 Easy Butternut Squash

If peeling and cutting a butternut squash intimidates you, 
try this method that does not require peeling !


a whole baked butternut squash on a plate

              
Two months ago, I would have said, "I don't cook butternut squash!" But not any more!!  

Free Musk Pumpkins Cucurbita Moschata photo and picture

Even though I like all vegetables, I had many good reasons why I would avoid making and eating butternut squash. 

Reason # 1.   too hard to peel
Reason # 2.   too hard to cut
Reason # 3.   too fattening 

                        Free Note Thumbtack vector and picture
Well, my excuses are over. I now buy and make butternut squash for three very good new reasons.

Reason # 1. I make it without peeling it
Reason # 2. I make it without cutting it
Reason # 3. It is a zero point vegetable on WW

I have always loved the sweet flavor of butternut squash.  
It is delicious in the fall when winter squashes are prolific at local farms. 

Free Pumpkin Butternut Squash photo and picture

Butternut squash is also healthy. It is loaded with fiber, beta carotene which is good for the eyes, and other healthy antioxidants that boost the immune system. It is a great addition to a gluten free healthy diet!

How do I cook it? I have two methods: Oven or Instant Pot

Oven Method: 
Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Place a whole unpeeled butternut squash(wash well) on a parchment covered cookie sheet, (no need to pierce)
Bake it until the squash until it becomes tender (about 45-1 hour for a med-large squash). 
Remove from the oven, allow to cool a little, then carefully cut in half (be careful of any steam) and remove seeds with a spoon. 
Your baked squash will be sweet, soft, and delicious.

I love this method of baking butternut squash (or acorn squash). It produces a sweet tender delicious squash.

butternut squash in the Instant Pot

Instant Pot Method: 
I also like to cook a butternut squash in the Instant Pot. For this method you need to cut the squash in half in the middle at its softest area if the squash is long. Otherwise put it in the IP whole. 
Place in the IP and set to pressure cook. click here for full directions.
 
 


overly baked whole butternut squash





roasted piece of butternut squash

Try my anti-inflammatory salad (link to recipe) with butternut squash 

anti-inflammatory salad


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15 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for this blog! I've always seen butter squash in the supermarket of course, but I never knew what to do with it - but now I do. And you say it gets extra sweet if you bake it? Great, I'm going to try this for sure. I'm your newest follower and I like for you to come visit and follow me too so I can be one of your blogging friends. Agan, great job and Happy Wednesday!


    http://exjw-foodie.blogspot.com/

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  2. This is the easiest way to make butternut squash ever! Thanks for becomming a follower of Gluten Free A-Z. I certainly will check out your blog as well.

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  3. Hi Judee,
    We grow Butternut Squash in our garden every year. It is a great squash with great flavor. Your post is very good. Thank you for sharing it with us at Full Plate Thursday and I hope you will come back!

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    1. Thanks Miz Helen, You are so lucky to grow butternut in your garden. I'm joining a CSA and hopefully I will get some this year

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  4. Wow! This is so easy! I always struggle to cut the squash. I also find that it is very watery when you bake it face down in water...I think this will be super easy. This is the starchiest thing we eat on GAPS/SCD and we eat it ALOT. Thanks for the tip!

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    1. I hope it works out for you Jill. I love your Fat Tuesday blog carnival for healthy ideas and recipes

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  5. I love butternut squash! It's one of my favorites... though I've just discovered it this winter. I didn't know you could cook it whole though... thanks for bringing your post, and your tips, to Friday Potluck this week. Can't wait to see what you bring next week!

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    1. I used to struggle with it too. Now I just bake it as is and its very sweet

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  6. Wow this is a great tip! I actually wrote a post about the trials of cutting and cooking Butternut Squash on my own blog, so I am so excited to discover this method. Thank you!

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    1. That's why I am so excited about not having to peel or cut it. It is really difficult . Why do it when this works and is tasty

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  7. I'm glad you have come to love butternut squash. are there any other vegetables that WW assigns points to? I am intrigued and a little shocked; I assumed that all vegetables would be zero points.

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    1. Sarah,
      WW assigns points to the starchy veggies like potatoes, sweet potatoes,

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  8. What a great method! I will have to try this next time. Thanks for linking up at my blog hop :-)

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  9. Thank you! I thought I was going to hurt myself making a casserole with this squash. First the peeling was difficult, and then my chef's knife got stuck in it! I had to use yet another knife to get the other one out! Dangerous stuff but tastes good, so thanks for this tip!

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  10. Hi Judee and Happy Nov. A link and photo from this post has been showcased in my blog post, "Vegan Butternut Squash Recipes are Tops for Fall and Winter." Sure wish you and your readers would check it out and even give it some social love. Warm regards, Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health

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