Butternut Squash

[Mel]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to prepare butternut squash? Do I just peel it and boil it and then add butter and brown sugar? Help! It's my first Tday dinner for my in-laws!

[MaryH]

I always had trouble with cutting butternut until recently when I found some tips (courtesy of CL). Make some holes in squash with a fork, microwave for 1-2 minutes. Cut off end of squash, then cut in half horizontally (trust me, cutting off the end makes this part much easier). Scoop out seeds, place on baking sheet cut side down. You then bake for say 40-50 minutes at about 350 or so. Let cool and you should be able to scrape out the pulp without much hassle.

You can then make any way you like; just like you would with sweet potatoes - mash them, puree for soup etc.

(Got to watch those typos, that's what happens when I type and talk to someone else at the same time.)


[This message has been edited by MaryH (edited 11-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by MaryH (edited 11-15-2000).]

[kwormann]

yummmmm butter nut squash.

havent had it that way, only in casserole..sounds GOOD!

kim

[emilycat]

One of my favorite ways to prepare butternut squash is by roasting...just cut it into 1" chunks, scrubbing the skin so you leave the skin on, and roast until tender...I like mine sprinkled with thyme. Really delicious.
Also, do a search in the recipe archives; I believe CL has tons of squash recipes, and most of the time, you can substitue acorn with butternut squash, too. Good luck!

[bijoux22]

Butternut squash is one of our favorites. In fact we had butternut squash apple soup for dinner, it was delicious!

When I am going to serve it mashed with butter and salt and pepper, I put the squash peeled and cut up in a covered microwave dish (without water) and cook til tender. Then add the butter, salt & pepper and mash then serve in same dish.

[debg]

I cut my butternut squash lengthwise, de-seed and cook peel side up in about 1" of water in the oven for about 1 hour. When the squash is done...you can pierce with a fork I turn it over - squash side up and fill the seed hole with a TBSP of butter and some brown sugar. Return to oven to melt butter then eat. You can make lengthwise slices through the squash and the brown sugar butter goes seeping along! YUM!!! Light?? probably not, but yummy none the less!

[Mel]

Thanks for your cooking tips. I am still nervous about the whole day though! Now my challenge is to figure out where everyone is going to sit-I don't think they would appreciate a pillow for the floor!!

[lorilei]

I usually chop my squash in halves or quarters, dot with butter and wrap in aluminum foil. I bake it at 375-400 for 45 minutes to one hour (like a baked potato) and season as desired. It makes a beatiful addition to your dinner plate this way, and you can just scoop the meat out of the skin to eat http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif