Butternut squash
Butternut squash is known as a winter squash. It is is both delicious and packed full of fibre and potassium!
Butternut squash is a kind of winter squash which means it has a thick rind that allows it to keep for long periods of time. They grow on a vine. It has a sweet, nutty taste quite similar to pumpkin. The outside is a pale tan-yellow colour while the inside is bright orange.
Butternut Squash Recipes
Butternut Squashes are a super popular vegetable and are used in soups, risotto, curries and pasta dishes. They are commonly peeled, cubed and roasted, boiled, steamed or added to stews. It is also sometimes roasted whole or halved. However, the fastest way to cook a butternut squash has to be in the microwave! A halved butternut squash will only take about 15 minuted to cook fully!
- Butternut squash is a great addition to risotto, cooked well the squash melts into the sauce, giving it a beautiful orange colour.
- Baked butternut squash in salad adds colour and sweetness, it goes especially well with feta.
- An interesting take on a classic side dish is mashed butternut squash its really nice with a touch of butter and seasoned well with salt and pepper. Mashed butternut squash is also lovely in hummus.
- Cut the squash into fries and bake until crispy!
- Pureed butternut squash mads delicious baby food.
- Try adding butternut squash to your vegetarian chilli for ad added sweetness.
- Despite being really tough if you have a good spiralizer butternut squash can be made into noodles and served in place of pasta or in stir-fries.
Butternut Squash Nutrition
There are about 45 calories per 100g of butternut squash. Butternut squash is high in vital nutrients like fibre and potassium. High fibre foods are good for your digestive system and prevent constipation. Getting enough potassium lowers your risk of having a stroke, reduces blood pressure, prevents kidney stones, and helps your body maintain muscle.
They contain good amounts of vitamin C which benefits your skin and hair by building collagen. Vitamin C also helps break down fatty acids and amino acids.
Butternut squash is also full of healthy, complex carbs and they have a low glycemic index (GI) of 51. Foods that have a low GI may aid in weight loss, reducing blood sugar levels and lowering the risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
They also contain good amounts of vitamin E, B1, B3, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, and the mineral manganese.
