Butternut Squash
Inventory, 35 lbs : 55.36
This item was last sold on : 03/17/24
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.
The Smoking Goat | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
Ranch Catering | San Diego CA | 858-491-9100 |
Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
Sacred Sons | Jamul CA | 970-619-0711 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
A & M catering | San Diego CA | 206-802-8320 |
The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
Little Lion | San Diego CA | 619-519-4079 |
Coasterra | San Diego CA | 619-814-1300 |
Third Corner Ocean Beach | San Diego CA | 619-223-2700 |
Monello | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
Westin Gaslamp Quarter | San Diego CA | 619-239-2200 |
Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
Fort Oak | San Diego CA | 619-795-6901 |
Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
The Hop Stop | Poway CA | 858-859-2669 |
Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
Marine Group Global Services LLC | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Red Door Friends | San Diego CA | 619-295-6000 |
Bellamy's Restaurant | Escondido CA | 760-747-5000 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 619-990-0158 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
Pitchers | San Diego CA | 8584721251 |
Ciccia Osteria | San Diego CA | 619-674-4069 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Deeply Nourished | San Diego CA | 808-489-7366 |
Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-861-4640 |
Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Parisien Gourmandises | La Jolla CA | 858-352-6552 |
Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 619-865-1918 |
Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
Pendry SD (Provisional) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
The Shout House | San Diego CA | 619-231-6700 |
Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
The Roxy Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2899 |
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
Marriott Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-369-6029 |
Bistro du Marche by Tapenade | La Jolla CA | 858-551-7500 |
Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Marriott Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-3000 x6335 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Seneca | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
Books and Records | San Diego CA | 619-310-5298 |
University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Gold Finch | San Diego CA | 619-804-2051 |
The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza | Oceanside CA | 760-310-1535 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Mission Ave Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-717-5899 |
Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
Small Barn | Temecula CA | 951-225-2822 |
Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 619-417-9251 |
Waverly | Cardiff CA | 619-244-0416 |
Bar Ella | San Diego CA | 858-808-2286 |
Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
Uptown Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Carolines Seaside Cafe | La Jolla CA | 619-646-1481 |
Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
Sheldons Service Station | La Mesa CA | 619-741-8577 |
C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines | La Jolla CA | 858-450-4581 |
Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
Qero | Encinitas CA | Chris 702-334-8845 |
The Local-Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 858-263-7475 |
GreensPlease | Poway CA | 858-842-1001 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Butternut Squash. One is easiest, three is harder.