Butternut Squash
Estimated Inventory, 35 lbs : 73.94
This item was last sold on : 12/22/24
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.
Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
Two Ducks (Deliver Lion Share) | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
Revolution Roasters | Oceanside CA | 760-330-6827 |
Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
Woods Kitchen Foods | San Diego CA | 619-719-6924 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Pitchers | San Diego CA | 858-472-1251 |
Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
The Spot 2021 | La Jolla CA | 958-459-0800 |
Communion | San Diego CA | 619-606-5568 |
Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
All Aspects Catering and Events | San Diego CA | 855-287-7658 |
Ranch Catering | San Diego CA | 858-491-9100 |
Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Mackenzie Elizabeth Personal Chef Services | Poway CA | 858-357-3455 |
Orfila Vineyards & Winery Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-738-6500 |
Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 619-417-9251 |
Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
California Center for the Arts | Escondido CA | 760-839-4107 |
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
Tap Room Beer Co. | San Diego CA | 619-539-7738 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
Red Door Friends | San Diego CA | 619-295-6000 |
Amiga de la Vina | San Diego CA | 619-990-6124 |
Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
Coronado Yacht Club | Coronado CA | 619-435-1848 |
SIE Culinary Management | San Diego CA | 858-964-8677 |
Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-902-4646 |
Fox Point Farms (Haven) | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Palmys | San Diego CA | 858-886-7111 |
Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
San Diego Humane Society | San Diego CA | 619-299-7012 |
Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
Kinme Omakase | San Diego CA | 619-231-0700 |
Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 662-832-3638 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
The Besta-Wan Pizza House | Cardiff CA | 805-231-2515 |
Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Hyatt Islandia | San Diego CA | 619-224-1234 |
JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
Le Coq | La Jolla CA | 858-427-1500 |
Leichtag Foundation | Encinitas CA | 760-230-6772 |
The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
Something Homemade | Vista CA | 858-245-1004 |
Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Bar Ella | San Diego CA | 858-808-2286 |
Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
Boujiemana (La Maison) | San Diego CA | 415-710-0510 |
Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
Pippo Pasta | La Jolla CA | 858-412-3432 |
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Carolines Seaside Cafe | La Jolla CA | 619-646-1481 |
Sheldons Service Station | La Mesa CA | 619-741-8577 |
Alexander's on 30th | San Diego CA | 858-774-3062 |
Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
Wolf In the Woods | San Diego CA | 619-851-7275 |
Long Story Short | San Diego CA | 619-228-9381 |
Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
The Harvest Honey | San Marcos CA | 616-914-0124 |
Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
Knotty Barrel- Rancho | San Diego CA | 858-484-8758 |
Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.) | San Diego CA | 619-962-5935 |
Pendry SD (Provisional) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
GreensPlease | Poway CA | 858-842-1001 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Third Corner Ocean Beach | San Diego CA | 619-223-2700 |
Prey Brewing Company | Vista CA | 760-822-4226 |
Sbicca Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 619-417-2587 |
Marriott Courtyard - Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-446-3008 |
A & M catering | San Diego CA | 206-802-8320 |
Counterpoint | San Diego CA | 619-564-6722 |
Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza | Oceanside CA | 760-310-1535 |
Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines | La Jolla CA | 858-450-4581 |
Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
Barleymash | San Diego CA | |
Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Sago | Encinitas CA | 858-382-4047 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Butternut Squash. One is easiest, three is harder.