Butternut squash is a favorite staple for autumn and winter meals.
This peanut-shaped staple has a bright orange flesh and very few seeds. Even though a lot of people think it’s a vegetable, butternut squash is actually a fruit.
There are so many reasons to like this fruit. It’s versatile, nutritious, and most importantly, delicious. You can prepare it in different ways, but it’s also perfect on its own.
What Does Butternut Squash Taste Like?
The taste of this squash is a taste that most people instantly link it with autumn or winter. For a long time, the most famous squash was the pumpkin, but now the butternut squash took over the throne.
It is flavorful and much sweeter in comparison to other squashes. According to many people, it slightly reminds of butterscotch (made of butter and brown sugar).
Others compare butternut squash with turnip and carrot. It has a taste which similar to that of pumpkin, but it’s much sweeter.
It has a slightly nutty flavor, and being less stringy than pumpkins makes it an ideal ingredient in purees and soups.
The delicate taste of butternut squash goes excellent with spices and aromatic herbs like oregano and rosemary.
How to Tell If Butternut Squash Is Bad?
To know if your fruit is good or bad, you must check the rind. The rind needs to be firm, without any mushy spots, and even in color.
If there are some small damaged and squishy spots, you can cut them out. But, if the whole thing is mushy or leaking liquid, you should throw it out and get a new one.
If the outer layer seems fine, you should cut it. If the flesh has the usual texture and color, you can use it.
Bear in mind that if the butternut squash is stored for a longer time, the part with the seeds might begin to look gross or stringy. That is normal, so you can just cut it and remove that part and use the rest.
Bad butternut squash will feel light for its size with plenty of cuts and punctures which allow bacteria to enter inside the flesh and cause mold. Also, you’ll want to avoid a butternut squash with brown, frostbite scars.
Does Butternut Squash Taste Like Sweet Potato?
A lot of people say butternut squash tastes like sweet potato due to the moist, sweet, and nutty flavor. Being slightly nutty, it definitely reminds of sweet potatoes in purees. However, it’s a bit softer than sweet potatoes.
Although to some people it tastes like pumpkin, and to others more like sweet potatoes, it’s delicious either way.
Butternut Squash vs Pumpkin Taste
First of all, both of these delicious foods belong to the same family. As we already mentioned, butternut squash is sweeter than pumpkin but less stringy, which is why many people like it better than pumpkins.
Still, pumpkin is the first choice for many families with kids for frugality.
When it comes to the taste of pumpkin, it tastes like a rich, sweet, and earthy explosion of nuts and butter but tarter.
Pumpkin seeds are edible, unlike those found in butternut squash, so that’s something to have in mind.
What Does Butternut Squash Soup Taste Like?
Once October hits, a bowl of butternut squash soup becomes a staple on every menu regardless if it’s at a restaurant or at home. Some people have it as a staple around all year. This soup is slightly spicy, silky, and sweet.
Although most people use a simple recipe to prepare the soup, the end results come with exceptionally rich flavor.
What makes butternut squash the best ingredient for a creamy, warm soup? The fact that it does not get stringy after the soup is cooked. The best butternut squash soup is hearty and thick, and not bland and watery.
How to Make Butternut Squash Taste Good?
Another amazing thing about butternut squash is that it’s a versatile food, so you can prepare it in a number of ways. Don’t be intimidated by the cutting and peeling process – it’s not as difficult as it seems.
You can use this fruit in different sweet and savory dishes. You can grill it, roast it, broil it, bake it, and use it as a side dish.
Even though it’s delicious no matter how you prepare it, the best results are when you combine it with the right spices and seasonings.
For example, when you use butternut squash in soups, combine it with garlic and some olive oil for a rich and flavorful quality. Garlic complements the fruit’s sweetness. You can also use some cayenne pepper to improve its flavor as the heat of the spice goes well with the sweetness of the fruit.
When you roast it, combine it with rosemary, olive oil, and garlic for a better taste.
When you bake or grill it, season it with some black pepper for a perfect savory dish.
When you grill it, combine it with oregano which will prevent the sugar content of butternut squash from being lost in the cooking process.
You can mix sage-flavored oil or butter in butternut squash ravioli. The unique scent of sage perfectly complements the fruit.
Besides spices, you can add a bit of cheese or sweetener to boost its flavor.
The fruit is an excellent addition to casseroles, lasagna, or risotto, and a wonderful side dish to breakfast eggs.
To Sum Up
All this talking about the combination of butternut squash with other foods that make mouth-watering dishes has surely left you drooling over.
Even though we’ve tried to describe the taste of butternut squash in this article, the best way to understand it is to get one, cook it, and taste it yourself.
This fruit or vegetable, whatever you want to call it, is extremely nutritious being a rich source of protein, fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamin C.
If you have a sweet tooth or you simply like to eat more healthily, you will surely love butternut squash and try to prepare it in as many ways as you can.