How Can I Freeze Butternut Squash?

Is it normal for you to use butternut squash for a recipe and end up having some leftovers?

When you have so much more of this vegetable, the thought of tossing it into the trash might just be the first thing that comes to mind.

Wouldn’t it be better if the leftovers could be frozen for future cooking? How would you do that?

We looked over a lot of reliable sources to come up with the best way to cook and freeze butternut squash.

The best way to prolong the shelf life of squash is through freezing. It is very easy to freeze it fresh or cook it. 

If you follow the steps below, you will be able to start freezing your squash.

  • Peel the fresh butternut squash.
  • Cut into small cubes, then blanch for three minutes.
  • Pre-freeze for two hours.
  • Seal using a freezer bag

If you want to cook butternut squash, you just have to keep it cool and place it in a zip lock bag.

It is very easy to freeze butternut squash. Continue reading this post if you want to learn more about these steps in more detail.

How Can I Prepare Butternut Squash for Freezing?

Most greens and other vegetables are frozen using the same procedures that are used for butternut squash. The steps are discussed in detail below if you are not familiar with them.

Peel the Butternut Squash

The squash should be washed with a vegetable brush to remove dirt from its surface.

Pick your best vegetable peeler and begin skinning the squash bare until the orange flesh is visible. Remove the ends and the seeds by cutting them in half.

Peel the Butternut

Cut into Small Cubes, Then Blanch for Three Minutes

Once you get your desired thickness, cut each sliced squash into 5 pieces. The squash should be diced into cubes of 1/3 to 1 inch in thickness.

You can either make it bigger or smaller. Bring a bowl of water to a boil and put the diced squash in, immerse it for at least 2 minutes and three minutes maximum.

Other people don’t include blanching as part of their freezing prep process, but we suggest that you do.

When the time is up, immediately transfer the diced squash into a bowl of cold water for an ice bath.

When the time is up, immediately transfer the diced squash into a bowl of cold water for an ice bath.

This will ensure that the squash doesn’t cook anymore and retain its original texture. It needs to be drained after it has cooled down.

Flash Freeze for Two Hours

Place the baking tray in the middle of the paper. The squash cubes have to be placed evenly on the tray. After placing the tray in the freezer, leave it for at least 2 hours.

If you want to make sure that each cube is completely frozen before proceeding to the next step, you can extend the pre-freezing process by up to 48 hours.

You may be wondering why you need to flash freeze the cubes. The short freezing process helps in cooling down the diced squash, as well as sealing in the vegetable’s natural flavor.

It will prevent the cubes from sticking together when stored in the freezer for a long time.

Butternut Squash

How Can I Store Cooked Butternut Squash?

If you want to make your squash last longer, the best way to freeze it is to puree it. The detailed steps for most cooked butternut squash recipes can be found below.

Cool down the Butternut

If you want your recipe to completely cool down, let it do so at room temperature. When covering it, make sure that there is not more than an ounce of water in it.

All foods go bad fast when they have too much moisture, which is the major catalyst that causes all foods to go bad fast.

Place in an Airtight Container

You can keep the squash in the cupboard by choosing an airtight container. This type of storage can help in isolating the content from the outside air which could cause faster spoilage.

You can use freezer-grade zip-lock bags if you do not have one. The bags have a tighter air blocking capability than regular box containers. You can place it in the freezer afterward.

How Long Can You Freeze Cooked Butternut Squash?

Squash can only be frozen in the freezer for 3 months at the very least.

If you put it in the freezer, make sure it is unaffected by temperature fluctuations caused by opening the freezer door frequently.

Do I Need to Thaw Frozen Butternut Squash Before Cooking?

When you are ready to use your frozen squash, you will be confronted with the question of whether to thaw or not.

If you have frozen it, it will depend on whether you cook it or freeze it. If you prefer to thaw the squash before cooking, it is still possible.

It’s a good idea to thaw cooked butternut squash, especially the puree. Crystallized soup and stew would not be eaten by anyone and a solid puree as a dip would not be eaten either.

How Can I Thaw Frozen Butternut Squash?

Transfer the squash from the freezer to the refrigerator if you want to thaw the squash.

Don’t thaw it at room temperature because it will make the squash soggy, and the cooked squash can even spoil right after being thawed.

It may have gone stale if it is left untouched past the allowable time. It should not be put back in the freezer for a second time.

Conclusion

It is possible to depend on freezing to keep butternut squash, whether you are buying it for the weekend or enjoying it all year long.

You won’t waste another bowl of your delicious butternut squash recipe or knock on your neighbor’s door to take your leftovers if you follow the detailed steps on this website.

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