With its tender flesh and slightly nutty taste, butternut is one of the most popular varieties of squash. Productive and easy to grow, it can be harvested at the end of summer to be consumed immediately or stored for several months. We can eat it throughout the fall, but also a good part of the winter!
Squash are vegetables that are primarily grown in the fall. However, each species has its own sowing and harvest schedule! Discover the butternut one:
If butternut squash can be harvested gradually, care must be taken to collect the last plants before the arrival of frost, i.e. between the beginning of November and the beginning of December depending on the region. After harvest, the squash can be stored in a frost-free room, at a temperature of around 15°C. They will thus be able to pass there several months without problem, to be consumed all winter long. Beyond that, it is best to freeze them!
If you want to be able to eat butternut the rest of the year, you will need freeze it after peeling it, cut into cubes and placed in an airtight container (box or freezer bag). You will be able to keep your butternut squash for 5 to 10 months.
To benefit from all the benefits and unique flavor of butternut, the ideal is to consume it between autumn and winter. You will thus benefit from a fresh, ripe vegetable that has not had time to spoil. Especially since its sweet notes go perfectly with winter dishes!
With a milder taste and more tender flesh than other squashes, butternut can be used in many recipes. It lends itself equally well to cooking in water, steam or in the oven to vary the textures and flavors. It can be cubed, sliced, pureed or simply cut in half for stuffing. So you are spoiled for choice when it comes to cooking it! Here are some ideas for recipes and combinations to delight you:
