Does anyone know how to prepare a Butternut Squash?
By babykay
@babykay (2131)
Ireland
February 12, 2007 7:05pm CST
I have a whole Butternut Squash thing in my fridge. I haven't a clue how to prepare it. Do you peel it before chopping it up? I am hoping to make a soup with it, my sister in law made some delicious soup recently using one.
So do you chop it, then boil, fry bake or what?
This big ungainly bell shaped thing is in my fridge and is going out of date soon...
2 people like this
5 responses
@fuzzEbluebathrobe (378)
• United States
13 Feb 07
The peeling part is the hardest part, but yes peel it.
Cut off each end to give yourself a starting point. Peel and cube it into even sized 2 inch cubes. Boil until soft mash like you would for mashed potatoes.
You can add salt,nutmeg ,butter and or sourcream to taste.
1 person likes this
@fuzzEbluebathrobe (378)
• United States
13 Feb 07
sorry- for soup after boiling cool mash and puree add vegetable stock. If stock is used do not add extra salt.
Add your flavorings.
You can also dice and sautee different color peppers and onion separately and add with stock. Do not mix in sour cream just garnish with a spoonful in each serving.
1 person likes this
@nishanity (1650)
• India
13 Feb 07
BUTTERNUT SQUASH PIE
1 unbaked pie crust
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
15 oz. cooked squash (strained)
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
2 eggs, beaten
Heat oven to 425°F. Place crust in 9-inch pie pan. Combine remaining ingredients. Pour into pan.
Bake 15 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake 40 - 50 minutes longer.
Store in refrigerator.
1 person likes this
@Inklings (1255)
• United States
13 Feb 07
:O)
This one is easy -- simply cut the beast in half, scoop out the seeds, and then place both halves (flesh side up) in a baking dish. Pour a few inches of water in the dish, cover it tightly with tinfoil, and bake at about 350 degrees until the squash is nice and soft (probably a good hour or so).
Thet are quite good just baked (maybe with a little butter, salt, and pepper, if you'd like). If you want to make a soup from it, you can puree the cooked squash in your blender or food processor and then add it, along with some milk or cream, to a roux. Season it as you like (nutmeg is actually really good in squash soup) and then simmer it until nice and hot.
@Inklings (1255)
• United States
13 Feb 07
I just realized that you may not know what roux is. Just take a few tablespoons of melted butter and a few tablespoons of flour and cook in a saucepan until the mixture is bubbly -- then you'll be ready to add the milk, pureed squash, and seasonings. Cook until it boils to thicken it a bit...
@nishanity (1650)
• India
13 Feb 07
BUTTERNUT SQUASH CASSEROLE
1 (20 oz.) pkg. butternut squash
1/4 c. onions, chopped
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 c. carrots, shredded
1 (8 oz.) pkg. seasoned stuffing mix
1/2 c. butter, melted
Cook butternut squash and onions in boiling salted water for 3 minutes. Drain and combine with next 3 ingredients. Mix stuffing with melted butter and spread one half in 12 x 7 x 2 inch baking dish. Add vegetable mix and sprinkle remaining stuffing on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
@pilbara (1436)
• Australia
13 Feb 07
You do need to peel it and remove the seeds before chopping it up.
If you're going to make a soup with it you will need to puree and strain it after boiling it.
I also add a small amount of finely chopped bacon pieces and a very small amount of honey to mine. I know other people who put coriander in theirs.
