6 Things to Do with Butternut Squash

We all know that pumpkin is the best vegetable for fall, but there are so many other great flavours out there! Butternut squash is a wonderful alternative with its sweet flavour and tender texture. It’s also packed full of nutritional benefits like vitamin C, potassium, fibre, and beta-carotene. So now you have no excuse not to try it! Check out these recipes below for some inspiration on how to use this delicious veggie in your cooking.

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Is Butternut Squash Healthy?

Butternut squash is a good source of vitamins and minerals, with few calories. Vitamin A, C, magnesium, and potassium are all present in butternut squash. Butternut squash also contains antioxidants that can help you fight off illnesses.

Butternut Squash Basics

From adding simple spices to combining it with savoury ingredients, butternut squash recipes let its creamy and crisp texture shine. They’re also simple enough to cook for your weekly dinner or Thanksgiving.

In halves, butternut squash can also be roasted. And this is the most delicious way to consume it: stuff it with any number of sweet and savoury ingredients such as apples, sausage, kale, cranberries, pecans, and spices for an unforgettable taste experience. For a Thanksgiving dish that’s sure to please everyone in attendance!

I’m always on the lookout for methods to incorporate veggies into my morning meals. Eggs are an excellent way to complement virtually any vegetable, whether it’s in the form of egg muffins or a shakshuka. This kale and butternut squash frittata is another great one-pan meal that’s fluffy, hearty, and easy to make.

Mashed butternut squash is a dish that’s popular among vegan chefs. In it, butternut squash takes the stage in this hearty and creamy side dish. Simply combine roasted butternut squash, olive oil, butter, salt, and pepper for a healthy spin on a classic. Everyone at the table will enjoy this!

For everyone’s favourite fall vegetable, I’m swapping tomatoes in a traditional shakshuka. This fragrant, orange spin is made with butternut squash, onion, orange bell pepper, vegetable broth, garlic, spices, and herbs – and served with gently poached eggs for a dinner that may be eaten any time of day!

Toss your roasted cubes into a seasonal salad! This one’s simple to prepare and packed with delectable tastes. The smooth butternut squash and goat cheese combine wonderfully with the crisp Romaine lettuce and crunchy walnuts in this dish.

How To Cook a Whole Butternut Squash

• Slice down the middle
• Remove seeds and pulp in the center
• Drizzle with oil and seasonings
• Roast uncovered for 45-60 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork

How to Cut Butternut Squash for Roasting

You’re not the only one who finds butternut squash intimidating to cut. However, don’t let its unusual form and rough surface prevent you from preparing it. You may prepare it with a few simple instruments (all of which I’m guessing are in your utensil drawer right now).

I’ve tried a few methods to prepare and peel butternut squash in the microwave, roast it partly, cut it into various designs, and you know what? The easiest method to peel butternut squash is with a vegetable peeler. Here’s how to go about it.

Choose your squash. I prefer those that have a longer “neck” because they are simpler to peel. This procedure works with any type of butternut squash, regardless of shape.

1. To peel the butternut squash, first, cut it in half lengthwise. Using a sharp chef’s knife, carefully cut off both the top and bottom of the squash, about 1/4 inch from the end (this helps to keep the squash steady while you peel and chop it). I also use a nonslip cutting surface, which is strong and durable.
2. Remove the outer layer of the butternut squash using a vegetable peeler. This is the squash’s skin. Depending on your squash and how much pressure you apply, you may notice a thin, lighter layer of flesh immediately beneath the peel that surrounds the darker yellow flesh below. I always leave it if it happens to stick. You can’t taste once you have roasted the vegetable.
3. Using the same sharp chef’s knife, cut the squash crosswise in half where the neck of the squash joins the wider, base end so you have two round pieces—one a cylinder (the neck) and one a ball (the base). From top to bottom, make a slice down the centre of each of your four components.
4. Remove the seeds and stringy bits from the inside of the squash’s base using a spoon or ice cream scoop after it has been sliced.
5. Lay your halves cut-side down on the cutting board, and use a knife to cut each half into 1-inch wide pieces. Then, using a knife, cut your slices crosswise into 1-inch wide pieces. (You should end up with 1-inch cubes.) To fit your recipe, adjust the width of the cuts as needed.
6. For example, if your recipe requires 1/2-inch cubes, cut them instead into 1/2-inch-wide pieces. Some of the pieces will not be perfect squares (particularly bad are the base end ones). This is completely acceptable. They’ll all taste fantastic.

You might be asking if you can eat the skin of roasted butternut squash. The quick answer is yes. However, while the skin is edible, it isn’t as pleasant to eat. If you’ve ever had luck preparing roasted butternut squash with skin, please share your experience in the comments below.

Things to do with butternut squash

As well as simple ways to cook it, there are lots of things to do with butternut squash. Here are some examples.

Make butternut squash noodles

Noodles are a common enough sight in many cupboards but you can make a version using butternut squash that’s similar to something like zucchini noodles. These are great seasoned and cooked or served in one of a number of sauces in a similar way to pasta noodles.

Soup recipes

Butternut squash is a favourite in soup recipes because it adds a creamy flavour but isn’t as strong as some vegetables.

Tomato and Roast Butternut Squash Soupmaker Soup

Grab your soupmaker and create this simple version of a tomato soup recipe that includes roasted butternut squash for extra flavour and nutrients.

Slow Cooker Curried Butternut Squash Soup

If you are more into spicier dishes and have a slow cooker or Instant Pot, then this will the recipe you will enjoy. Get those fall flavours with a spicy edge.

Main courses

Butternut squash features in lots of dishes such as soups but there’s plenty of main meals you can make with it including stews and casseroles as well as stuffed dishes.

Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash

Butternut squash becomes the basis for the recipe in this dish and is stuffed with seasonal apples and sausage for a filling dish that works as a main course or an appetizer.

Apple Butternut Squash Casserole with Bacon-Pecan Topping

This dish also combines autumn favourites of apples and butternut squash and tops with a crunchy bacon and pecan topping.

Creamy Butternut Squash and Mascarpone Orecchiette

Pasta may not seem the most obvious dish for butternut squash but in this one, it acts as hidden vegetables, adding goodness to the dish while keeping with the creamy flavours and texture.

Simple and delicious

There are loads of simple and delicious recipes to make with butternut squash, just like these. Try a classic like a soup dish or something different like a type of pasta and a variation on mac and cheese.

What’s your favourite way to serve butternut squash?