Butternut squash is a light brownish-orange color on the outside and orange on the inside.
A butternut squash is officially a "courge musquée" or "courge butternut" in French.
The orange color of the squash indicates that the squash is high in carotenoids which have been shown to protect against heart disease. Butternut squash is also high in fiber, folate, and potassium.
You can tell a butternut squash is ripe when it has a firm skin that is a tan color and feels heavy for its size. The stem should be dry and the squash should sound hollow when tapped.
Some delicious recipes for baking butternut squash include roasted butternut squash with maple syrup and cinnamon, butternut squash soup with coconut milk and curry, and stuffed butternut squash with quinoa and cranberries.
You can determine when to pick butternut squash by checking if the skin is hard and the color is a deep tan or beige. Additionally, the stem should be dry and the squash should feel heavy for its size.
Some delicious recipes that can be made using a sheet pan and butternut squash include roasted butternut squash with herbs, butternut squash and chickpea curry, and butternut squash and kale salad with a balsamic glaze.
Some creative and delicious recipes using cubed butternut squash include roasted butternut squash with maple syrup and cinnamon, butternut squash soup with coconut milk and curry, and butternut squash risotto with sage and Parmesan.
Some delicious recipes featuring green butternut squash as the main ingredient include roasted green butternut squash with herbs, green butternut squash soup with coconut milk, and green butternut squash risotto with Parmesan cheese.
Acorn squash is not available in Australia. Butternut squash is found in Australia, but it is known there as butternut pumpkin.
When choosing a good butternut squash, look for one that is firm, heavy for its size, and free of bruises or soft spots. The skin should be smooth and a beige-tan color. Avoid squash with blemishes or mold.
To calm down the nutmeg taste in butternut squash soup try adding sugar or more pureed butternut squash.
The ideal temperature for roasting butternut squash is 400F (200C).