How to cook Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash is a winter squash and is much like a pumpkin, however with a nutty and sweet taste. This fruit is used in a variety of ways depending on which part of the world you are. In South Africa, it is used in a lot of soups, however in other parts of the worlds it’s mostly roasted or toasted with spices to create something truly divine. One of the most attracting quality of the butternut squash is that it’s a good source of a number of nutrients namely Vitamin A&C  , manganese, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. The Butternut squash is known to cause allergic reaction in a number of people so care must be taken to find out if you are allergic.

I will show you two ways in which this squash can be prepared.

Required Tools

• Baking sheet
• Knife

Required Materials

• Butternut squash
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cinnamon

Instruction to making a roasted Butternut Squash

1. Cut the squash length wise and use a knife to remove the seeds from the centre, you may want to use a spoon to help remove the seeds.
2. Given that you have removed the seeds from the centre, use knife to cut the squash into serving pieces.
3. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste over the squash and also add cinnamon to flavor.
4. Using a brush, lightly brush olive oil over the squash.
5. Set on the baking sheet, with the skin side up and bake at 350F for 40 minutes or until it is soft.

For the second method, what is done is basically the same as in the first, however this time the squash is being baked as oppose to being roasted.

Required material

• Butternut squash
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Parmesan cheese
• Parsley

Instructions for Baked garlic Butternut Squash

1. For this method the squash is cut into smaller cubes and seasoned with salt, pepper, cinnamon, and ginger then olive oil is used to paint it.
2. Add ½ inch of water to the baking sheet.
3. Set the butternut squash on the baking sheet with the skin side downwards.
4. Bake for 40 minutes or until squash is soft and tender.
5. Remove from baking sheet, and transfer to a bowl.
6. Using skillet sauté garlic in olive oil over a medium flame until soft and add to baked squash.
7. Grate parmesan cheese and sprinkle over baked squash.
8. Chop parsley very fine, and add to squash in bowl.
9. Mix everything together and enjoy.

Tips

• Butternut squash is best when it is ripe, however when it is over ripe the results are not so good.
• Also the squash should not be cut and left open.