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Original poster

Butternut Squash - Discuss

32 replies

bumbleweed · 09/05/2006 17:06

Tons of baby food recipes seem to contain 'butternut squash' - not something I would normally eat. So I bought some and roasted it - it is utterly devoid of any flavour.

Anyone know what you are supposed to do with it to help it to taste nice?

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 09/05/2006 17:08

I quite like it!

You can mash it with butter (or without)...I also think it tastes quite nice with a bit of rosemary and thyme on it. Roasting it definitely tastes better than boiling (which makes it taste even more bland I think).

MrsBadger · 09/05/2006 17:09

the reason it's so often recommended for tinies is specifically because of its blandness!

Personally I cover it in extra virgin (and v strong-tasting) olive oil, black pepper and pinch of salt before roasting, then scatter with parmesan when it's nearly done.

shazronnie · 09/05/2006 17:16

only fit for feeding a baby IMO

bundle · 09/05/2006 17:18

roast with olive oil, whizz and make soup. i usually add a little bouillion stock stuff and sometimes cream.

geekgrrl · 09/05/2006 17:19

devoid of flavour? I think it's really tasty and full of flavour - it goes very sweet when baked. Maybe yours wasn't ripe?

bakedpotato · 09/05/2006 17:25

i thought they always tasted glorious, then i bought one which was totally bleee

how do you know if they're not ripe, GG?

geekgrrl · 09/05/2006 17:27

oh, dunno?! Good question.Grin
The ones I've had have always been divine. I make cakes with them, too (the roasted flesh) - yum. :)

NotQuiteCockney · 09/05/2006 17:54

I make cakes, too. But have found one savoury recipe for them that I quite liked, a sort of spicy mashed salad thing (!!). Wait, will find link.

FrannyandZooey · 09/05/2006 18:05

Another one here amazed at 'devoid of flavour'. They are gorgeous! I roast them, bake them, steam them, make soup, curry, sauces....

sallystrawberry · 09/05/2006 18:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

marthamoo · 09/05/2006 18:07

I love it roasted or mashed - and I make a mean butternut squash soup.

But I hate preparing it - the skin is so tough, and I have to wear latex gloves as I get an orange sort of glue on my skin that won't wash off and makes my fingers go horrible.

sallystrawberry · 09/05/2006 18:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

poppiesinaline · 09/05/2006 18:12

oooo yes soup yum! I make a wicked carrot and butternutsquash soup. :)

BettySpaghetti · 09/05/2006 18:20

lovely in curry...mmmmm

Feistybird · 09/05/2006 18:22

you went wrong somewhere - roasted is lovely.

NotQuiteCockney · 09/05/2006 18:26

\link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1379&threadid=170864&stamp=060509093254\Recipe} is on this thread.

I never ever peel it before cooking, much easier to peel when it's been cooked.

compo · 09/05/2006 18:27

how do you know when it is ready to eat? As soon as you buy it or is it like a melon and needs to be ripe?

shellybelly · 09/05/2006 18:48

I keep buying it and then never do anything with it, think i might stop now Grin

beckybrastraps · 09/05/2006 18:51

Butternut squash, half an onion can of coconut milk, bit of chilli, cook, whizz - delicious soup!

sunandmoon · 09/05/2006 19:48

My favourite!!! Cut in half, a spoon of butter, 1 piece of garlic, pepper, wrap in a foil, on the barbecue or in the oven until soft and then enjoy!!!!

snowleopard · 09/05/2006 20:03

They are the ultimate baby food - but also yum for soup (another way is to roast the squash at gas 7 for 40 mins; meanwhile fry onions and garlic, add 1 chopped apple, salt and pepper; add mashed roasted squash (without skin), add stock to cover, stir, simmer, whizz - MMMMMMMM!).

They go great with tomato-ey pasta sauce too. Peel and cube squash, roast with olive oil, salt & pepper and sprinkling of rosemary or cumin. Serve with chicken or white fish and chunky tomato sauce.

onlyjoking9329 · 09/05/2006 20:07

i love butternut squash, had some mixed in with mashed potatoes for my tea, i have planted som butternut squash seeds but not grown them before so dunno how to grow them yet.

sunandmoon · 09/05/2006 20:20

Oh Oh... OnlyJoking, you are going to get a big surprise... we gave some seeds to my French Father, he is a wonderful gardener and never seen butternut squash before... well well he is surrounded by them once a year, and they are HUGE.. and now my parents love their butternut squash soup every winters...Grin

Original poster
bumbleweed · 10/05/2006 09:25

okay the bit that had the olive oil on was nice enough - maybe the underneath bit wasnt cooked well enough?

okay enough people have said its lovely to convince me to try again - will try rosemary and thyme, and didnt think to wrap in foil

ta for the recipe link and other suggestions

OP posts:
Original poster
bumbleweed · 10/05/2006 09:25

okay the bit that had the olive oil on was nice enough - maybe the underneath bit wasnt cooked well enough?

okay enough people have said its lovely to convince me to try again - will try rosemary and thyme, and didnt think to wrap in foil

ta for the recipe link and other suggestions

OP posts: