Butternut Squash
Estimated Inventory, 35 lbs : 39.12
This item was last sold on : 01/18/25
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.
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
| Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
| San Diego Unified School- CCTE | San Diego CA | 619-884-3899 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Counterpoint | San Diego CA | 619-564-6722 |
| Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Le Coq | La Jolla CA | 858-427-1500 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Carbon | San Diego CA | 702-423-3807 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Pitchers | San Diego CA | 858-472-1251 |
| Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| Red Door Friends | San Diego CA | 619-295-6000 |
| Pizzeria Luigi | San Diego CA | 610-539-7025 |
| Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
| Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Salvatore's | San Diego CA | 619-544-1865 |
| Mackenzie Elizabeth Personal Chef Services | Poway CA | 858-357-3455 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Fox Point Farms (Haven) | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
| Davanti Enoteca Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-237-9606 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Rancho Bernardo Inn (Avant) | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
| 264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Knotty Barrel- Rancho | San Diego CA | 858-484-8758 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Marriott Courtyard - Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-446-3008 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
| Wolf In the Woods | San Diego CA | 619-851-7275 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Mission Ave Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-717-5899 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
| Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
| Primal Balance Nutrition LLC | Vista CA | 818-259-0995 |
| Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| Shore Rider | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5308 |
| Tap Room Beer Co. | San Diego CA | 619-539-7738 |
| Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
| Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines | La Jolla CA | 858-450-4581 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
| Alexander's on 30th | San Diego CA | 858-774-3062 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Sheldons Service Station | La Mesa CA | 619-741-8577 |
| Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
| Echale | Encinitas CA | 303-210-2892 |
| Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
| Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-277-9826 |
| Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
| Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst. | San Diego CA | 508-289-2667 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Revolution Roasters | Oceanside CA | 760-330-6827 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-902-4646 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
| Carolines Seaside Cafe | La Jolla CA | 619-646-1481 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| All Aspects Catering and Events | San Diego CA | 855-287-7658 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| California Culinary Arts Institute | San Diego CA | 858-868-1401 |
| Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
| Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Fay's Diner and Cafe | San Diego CA | 661-858-8895 |
| Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
| Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| The Smoking Goat | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
| Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Javier Plascencia | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Butternut Squash. One
is easiest, three is harder.
