i’ve never had butternut squash before i started cooking and the only way i had it was as roasted butternut squash soup. but as i was reading up on introducing k to solids, it turns out that butternut squash is quite popular! it is a favorite for babies because of it’s sweetness as indicated in it bright orange color.

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here are two ways to prep butternut squash: baking and steaming.

baked butternut squash

cooking tools

• baking pan
• food storage container
• liquid storage container

ingredients

• 1/3 butternut squash *read note 1
• 1 inch of water

preparation

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. cut 1/3 of the butternut squash to cook and save the remaining 2/3 in the refrigerator *read note 2.
3. chop the 1/3 butternut squash into 6 pieces and place pieces into a baking pan with 1 inch of water.
4. bake the squash in the over for 15 – 30 minutes.
5. save squash in a food storage container.
6. after pan has cooled, pour remaining juices from the pan into a liquid storage container.

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steamed butternut squash

cooking tools

• steamer
• food storage container
• liquid storage container

ingredients

• 1/3 butternut squash *read note 1
• 1 inch of water

preparation

1. cut 1/3 of the butternut squash to cook and save the remaining 2/3 in the refrigerator *read note 2.
2. cut the 1/3 butternut squash into 6 pieces and place pieces into a steamer.
3. steam for 15 to 20 minutes, or until soft.
4. save cooked squash in food storage container.
5. after steamer has cooled, pour remaining juices *read note 3 from the pan into a liquid storage container.

noteS

1. butternut squash is quite large. if i’m only preparing it for the baby, i would chop 1/3 of the butternut squash to cook and save the remaining 2/3 in the refrigerator. if using section with seeds, scoop out the seeds to compost/discard. i usually leave the peal on and scoop out the flesh when i’m prepping the day’s meals.

2. when storing remaining uncooked butternut squash, put in inside a clear plastic bag and store in the refrigerator. the squash will save well.

3. save cooking water from steamer after the butternut squash has been cooked. the liquid will contain nutrients from the vegetable that can be used for prepping recipes or cooking grains and beans.

4. nutrition information from:
– Wholesome Baby Food Guide by Margaret Meade
– World’s Healthiest Foods: Squash