butternut squash (flesh)

Description

Butternut squash has a sweet, nutty-caramel flavor and a smooth, orange flesh with a creamy texture when cooked, usually shaped like a pear with a hard, beige skin. The flesh is rich in beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A), vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and low in calories, which supports eye health, immunity, and gut function; it also contains antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties. In the kitchen, butternut squash is great for soups, purees, roasting, frying, gnocchi, cakes, and fillings, harmonizing with spices, garlic, thyme, and sage. Store the whole squash in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated place for several weeks to a few months, and after cutting, tightly wrap the flesh and keep it in the fridge for three to five days or freeze it in portions for about three months.