BUTTERNUT SQUASH	VEGETABLES - KNOW YOUR VEG

A large winter squash, about 15cm to 20 cm long, that is similar in shape to a rounded pear. Butternut squash has a pale brown-orange skin and a deep, orange flesh. The wonderfully moist flesh has a sweet, buttery flavour and a slightly fibrous firm texture.

How To Use Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is served cooked. It can be included in soups and mixed roasted vegetable side dishes. Fresh sage goes particularly well in butternut squash recipes. Mashed butternut squash makes a tasty side dish to serve with grilled chicken, flavour the mash with a little ground nutmeg, cinnamon or cumin to help bring out the sweetness. Butternut squash can also be puréed to make baby food.

How To Prepare Butternut Squash

For roasting a whole squash, pierce the flesh several times all over with a sharp knife and wash thoroughly. To roast squash halves, cut in half lengthways and remove the seeds. To boil, halve the squash and peel or cut off the skin using a small sharp knife, scoop out the seeds using a spoon and then cut the flesh into even-sized chunks.

How To Cook Butternut Squash

Butternut squash can be roasted whole and the cooked flesh scooped out afterwards or it can be boiled. To roast, preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6, place the prepared squash in a roasting tin or wrap in foil and roast for 50 - 60 minutes or until tender. Allow to cool, then split in half, scoop out the seeds and discard and then scoop out the flesh and use as required. To boil, bring a pan of salted water to the boil, add the prepared squash chunks and cook for 15 - 20 minutes or until tender.

How To Store Butternut Squash

Keep in a cool, dry place for up to 1 month.

The information and images for this article have come from www.thinkvegetables.co.uk. It provides full information on all the main vegetables available on the UK market including nutritional information and delicious recipes. The site is a service provided by Mack Vegetables, one of the largest and most successful suppliers of fresh vegetables in the UK, serving a wide range of customers from caterers to major multiples. You can find out more about Mack by visiting the website at www.mwmack.co.uk