Are you looking for a way to enjoy the delicious flavor of butternut squash all summer long? Freezing it is one of the best ways to preserve its nutritional benefits and keep it fresh. In this step-by-step guide, we will show you how to freeze it so that you can enjoy its sweet taste in your favorite summer meals.
From selecting the right squash and prepping it for freezing to blanching and storing it in the freezer, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this process. With our handy tips, you’ll be able to savor the taste all season long!
The Benefits of Freezing Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is an incredibly nutritious vegetable, providing a variety of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, magnesium, copper, manganese, and more. Freezing it ensures that its nutritional content remains intact for months. Additionally, it allows you to enjoy it in recipes throughout the year without having to worry about spoilage or waste.
Environmental Benefits
Freezing butternut squash has environmental benefits too! By freezing it instead of buying pre-packaged frozen vegetables from the store, you can reduce packaging waste and help to conserve energy used in the processing and transportation of those pre-packaged foods. Plus, it’s a great way to stock up on seasonal produce at its peak freshness, so you have access to these nutrient-rich vegetables throughout the year!
Selecting and Prepping for Freezing
When selecting butternut squash for freezing, look for squash with a firm and smooth exterior. Avoid any that have dents, bruises, soft spots, or patches of mold. Additionally, select one that is heavy for its size, as this indicates it is ripe and full of water content. After choosing the right pieces, wash them off before prepping them to remove any dirt or debris from the outside.
Cleaning and Peeling
To clean and peel butternut squash for freezing, start by cutting off both ends of the squash with a sharp knife and then cut in half lengthwise down the middle seam. Scoop out all of the seeds with a spoon before discarding them – they can be roasted separately if desired! Then use a vegetable peeler to remove all of the skin from each half before slicing it into pieces according to your recipe’s instructions.
Slicing the Squash for Freezing
Once peeled, slice your butternut squash into cubes or thin strips according to your recipe’s instructions – generally, 1-inch cubes are ideal for most dishes like soups or casseroles while thin strips may be desired when making stir-fry dishes or roasting in ovens/air fryers! Once sliced up into cubes/strips you are ready to move on to freezing your butternut squash!
To freeze it, you can simply lay the pieces out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place it in the freezer. Once the pieces are frozen solid, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe container or storage bag.
Another option is to blanch the squash before freezing it. This involves boiling the sliced pieces for a few minutes, then quickly cooling them in ice water before freezing. Blanching can help to preserve the color, texture, and flavor of the squash.
No matter which method you choose, label the container with the date and contents, so you know how long it has been in the freezer. Your frozen squash will last up to 8-12 months in the freezer!
Freezing and Storing
Blanching is an important step in prepping butternut squash for freezing, as it helps to stop any enzymes present in the squash from degrading its color and flavor while frozen. To blanch the squash, first, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
Then add the sliced pieces to the boiling water and allow it to cook for 3 minutes. When finished, quickly remove them from the hot water using tongs or a slotted spoon and plunge them into an ice bath. Allow the cubes to sit in cold water for another 3 minutes before draining off all excess liquid with a colander or strainer.
Packaging for Freezing
Once blanched, pat down each cube of butternut squash with paper towels until completely dry and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread out evenly so that none are overlapping each other, then freeze uncovered until solid (approximately 2 hours).
Once frozen solid, transfer cubes into freezer-safe bags/containers or vacuum-sealed packages and return back to the freezer immediately before they defrost again (this will help maintain quality).
It’s best practice not to store more than 1-2 cups per bag/container if you plan on frequently defrosting during summer months; otherwise, separate into larger amounts if you plan on only taking out what you need at once when ready to use!
Storing in the Freezer
When storing butternut squash cubes in your freezer, make sure that they are labeled clearly with contents and date frozen (it’s helpful if this is done prior to placing them inside their respective bag/container as well).
If stored correctly in airtight packaging/containers, your butternut squash should last anywhere between 6–12 months without any degradation of texture or taste – just make sure not to stack too much directly onto one another within your freezer as this can increase spoilage rate over time due to air circulation being blocked off!
Additionally, it’s important to blanch your butternut squash cubes before freezing them. This involves boiling the cubes of squash for a short period of time (typically 3-5 minutes) and then immediately placing them in cold water to stop the cooking process. Blanching helps to preserve the quality and flavor of the squash, and it can also make it easier to use in recipes later on.
Finally, when you’re ready to use your frozen butternut squash, be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator or microwave rather than at room temperature to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. With these simple tips, you can enjoy the delicious taste and health benefits of butternut squash all year round!
Final Words
Freezing butternut squash is a great way to enjoy its nutritional and environmental benefits all summer long. By choosing the right pieces, cleaning and peeling them properly, slicing them for freezing, blanching before freezing, packaging them correctly, and storing them in the freezer, you can make sure that your frozen butternut squash will stay fresh until you’re ready to use it.