Butternut Squash Question...

Poggie123

I've got a butternut squash that I intended to make a soup with but haven't got round to it yet. It's best before 27th July, but looks exactly the same as the day I bought it. How do you tell when they are on their way out? And for that matter how do you tell when they are fresh?? I always just choose the biggest one as they are all the same price!

comping_cat

Ive used butternut squash that ive had for weeks after ive bought it, and they have always been fine. I dont know how to tell if they are fresh, but when you cut into it, if it is 'too old' you will be able to see that the flesh has gone a bit 'softer' and sometimes the seeds in the bulb part will be funny if its too old, hope its not to confusing, but i think it is the sort of thing that you will know when you see it!!!

thriftlady_2

Butternut squashes are a kind of winter squash like pumpkins. That means they have very hard skins and it also means they store for MONTHS.Supermarkets are obsessed with best before labels.It will be obvious if it 'off'.

Floss

It will take a lot of effort to chop it up, but if you roast it before making your soup, its absolutely scrummy!

snoozer

I don't bother chopping it up, I just cut in half, scoop out the seeds, brush with oil and then roast for about 45 mins on 190.

Or as Gordon would say "halve, scoop, oil, roast"

recovering_spendaholic

I find that if you take butternut squash out of the fridge the night before you are going to use it it is easy to peel and chop. Sometimes if I forget I micro it for a minute on high and that helps too!! I like it best roasted in a little oolive oil and butter (don't bother to peel) in thinnish slices with red onion and red pepper. I let it get nice and caramelly and it is wonderful with crusty bread.

aimeelister

oooh that reminds me ive got one sitting in my veg tray from about march....... I really should get round to doing something with it. I hope its ok, it still looks like when i got it!

Bossyboots

I usually end up keeping them for ages too and they are always fine.

Remember, "best before" is not the same as "use by". You wouldn't be able to take it back after the 27th July and say it wasn't very nice as by putting the date on it they are covering themselves up to that time. It doesn't mean though that it will not be edible after then, just not as perfect as it might have been earlier on.

kabie

agree with all above.
Wanted to add though; I wanted to make ratatouille the other day but didn't have an aubergine (not that keen on them) substituted butternut squash and it was scrummy!

Murtle

butternut squash is yummy if you add it to mash - after it's been roasted!!!

Chipps

Squashes will keep through the winter. The only thing is that the skins will get tougher. But you're not eating the skin anyway!