Tips for Using Winter Squash
Here are some tips to help you when shopping for winter squash—and what to do with it once you get home.
Don’t Buy Pre-cut Squash Pieces
Whole squash you peel yourself has the best flavor and texture, but if you are looking to save a few minutes of prep, we have found that peeled and halved squash is fine. We don’t like butternut chunks; while it’s a timesaver, the flavor is wan and the texture is stringy.
Pick it Up
Squash should feel heavy for its size, a sign that the flesh is moist and soft. The weight of a winter squash is a good indication of the texture of the flesh. A butternut squash, for instance, is heavier than a like-sized acorn squash because its flesh has a lower moisture content and is denser.
Check for Soft Spots
Squash should feel hard; soft spots are an indication that the squash has been mishandled.
Know Your Sizes
As you've probably seen when shopping for produce, squash can vary greatly in size. When we're developing recipes for acorn or butternut squash, we follow the guideline that one medium acorn squash weighs about 1 ½ pounds and yields approximately 3 cups of cubed squash—about three servings. For butternut squash, we follow a similar guideline: A medium squash weighs between 2 and 2½ pounds and yields roughly seven cups—about seven servings—of cubed squash.
Store in a Cool Place
You can store winter squash in a cool area for several weeks.
