




Butternut Squash
Estimated Inventory, 35 lbs : 41.12
This item was last sold on : 05/10/25
Description/Taste
Butternut squash is medium to large in size and has a bell-like shape with a long neck attached to a bulbous end. The smooth skin is very thin, light tan, firm, and is connected to a light brown, rough stem. The long neck of the Butternut squash contains a solid orange, dense, and moist flesh and in the bulbous end, there is a small hollow seed cavity with stringy pulp and a few flat, cream-colored seeds. When cooked, the flesh of the Butternut squash becomes tender and offers a mild squash flavor with sweet and nutty nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Butternut squash is available year-round, with peak season in the fall through winter.
Current Facts
Butternut squash, botanically classified as Cucurbita moschata, is a winter squash that grows on a trailing vine and is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family along with gourds and pumpkins. A relatively new variety, the Butternut squash we know today is the result of years of crookneck squash breeding to produce a variety with a more compact size, straight-necked trait, and stackable capabilities. Butternut squash is one of the most popular modern varieties on the market today and is valued for its thin, edible skin, dense flesh, and small seed cavity that produces little waste in cooking. It is also classified as a fruit but is commonly prepared as a vegetable and can be used in a wide variety of culinary applications.
Nutritional Value
Butternut squash provides vitamins A, C, and E, manganese, potassium, iron, soluble fiber, and magnesium. Deep orange colored squashes such as the Butternut are also rich in beta-carotene.
Applications
Butternut squash is best suited for cooked applications such as roasting, toasting, steaming, sautéing, baking, braising, and grilling. It can be sliced into rounds, wedges, or cubes and added to curries, chili, soups, stews, risotto, a filling for tacos, enchiladas, empanadas, and ravioli. It can also be diced and used in lieu of potatoes in a hash or served atop pizza and flatbread. Butternut squash can be used in baked goods such as pies, bread, and muffins. The seeds of the squash are also popularly roasted, salted, and consumed as a snack food similar to pumpkin seeds. Butternut squash pairs well with sage, thyme, bay leaf, apple, cinnamon, pear, shallots, pecans, butter, cream, feta cheese, ground beef, sausage, and bacon. It will keep 1-2 months when stored in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Initially, straight neck winter squashes were not a preferred variety, and the lengthy, curvy winter crooknecks were the squash of choice. As the commercial shipping and distribution of squash in bulk increased in demand, the need for winter squash that was stackable and compact grew and inspired the development of modern Butternut varieties. This squash is also known for its thin skin, small seed cavity, and dense flesh which gives it the largest amount of flesh per dollar. The name of the original Butternut squash is believed to have come from the squash creator, Charles A. Leggett, who described the Butternut’s flavor as, “smooth as butter and sweet as a nut.” Today the farmland in Massachusetts where the original Butternut squash was developed is now a golf course aptly named, Butternut Farm Golf Club.
Geography/History
Early Butternut squashes were believed to have originated in the United States in the 1930’s as a natural outcrossing or mutation of the Canadian crookneck squash. These early Butternuts were problematic as the plants were not dependable in providing consistent production of straight necked squashes. As demand for compact, straight-necked squash increased and bulky crooknecks fell out of fashion, plant breeders worked hard to breed out these inconsistencies. One of the earliest known dependable Butternut varieties was believed to have been created by amateur breeder Charles A. Leggett around 1940, and after much experimentation in the garden, Leggett brought his squash to the Waltham Agricultural Experiment field station where the Waltham family helped to popularize his Butternut squash. Credit for the creation of this early Butternut variety is also given to Professor Robert E. Young of the Massachusetts College of Agriculture, who worked with the original squash from Leggett to create what would come to be known as the Waltham Butternut squash. Today Butternut squash is widely available in grocers and farmers markets in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
Jeune Et Jolie Bar | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Carbon | San Diego CA | 702-423-3807 |
Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
Javier Plascencia (Animalon) | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
Davanti Enoteca Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-237-9606 |
Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
Regency Twin Oaks | San Marcos CA | 909-325-6941 |
Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Gold Finch | San Diego CA | 619-804-2051 |
Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
Marine Group Global Services LLC | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
College Cuisine-Pi Beta Phi | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
The Smoking Goat | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
WaterBar | San Diego CA | 619-308-6500 |
Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
Monello (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
Living Coast Discovery Center | Chula Vista CA | 619-409-5900 |
Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
Sheldons Service Station | La Mesa CA | 619-741-8577 |
Crest Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-295-2510 |
Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-861-4640 |
Nectarine Grove | Encinitas CA | 760-944-4525 |
Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
Third Corner Ocean Beach | San Diego CA | 619-223-2700 |
Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Ciccia Osteria | San Diego CA | 619-674-4069 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Butternut Squash. One

