Cook Butternut Squash – No doubt that sautéed butternut squash is a great vegetable side dish; it is easy to prepare and goes remarkably well with many other dishes. You can easily prepare this tasty and healthy dish with just a little bit of olive oil, diced squash, garlic powder, salt, and broth. This healthy and flavorful vegetable is easy to find in most regions and has a nice long shelf life.
You can incorporate butternut squash into many other interesting recipes as well. Let us discuss how to cook butternut squash on stove or how to cook butternut squash in microwave at home!
How Healthy is Butternut Squash?
Butternut squash is high in potassium and, hence, can keep your blood pressure in check. It has a good amount of fiber that helps with blood sugar. This tasty vegetable is also regarded as a superfood due to its ability to support eye health, boost immunity, enhance cognitive function, and aid digestion. Butternut squash is also a nutritional powerhouse that has essential minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber.
Preparing the Butternut Squash before Cooking!
First, let us discuss how to select a butternut squash and how to cut it properly.
How to Select a Butternut Squash?
- You must pick a squash that doesn’t have any soft spots, bruises, or dents.
- If the butternut has a stem, then it must be dark brown.
- Pick one that is firm and has some weight to it.
- Choose a light orange squash. If it has some green spots, it is quite ripe. However, if there are a few brown spots, avoid choosing it.
How to Cut a Butternut Squash?
Here are the steps to cut a butternut squash properly:-
- Cut the tops and bottoms off, then discard.
- Peel off the skin of the squash with a peeler, then discard the peel.
- Now, slice off the squash’s round bottom portion. Slice the round part in half to expose the seeds.
- After that, scoop out those seeds with a large metal spoon.
- Finally, cut the peeled and deseeded parts of the squash lengthwise. Next, turn those slices, arrange them in a stack, and cut them into small cubes.
Pro-Tips for Cooking Butternut Squash
Here are some of the chef’s tips that will help you cook the best sautéed butternut squash:-
- Try to cut the butternut squash into even pieces so that it gets cooked evenly.
- As every stove and pan conducts heat differently, yours may cook quite faster. So, you must cook the dish till the cubes become fork-tender.
- Don’t hesitate to taste a piece of the dish to ensure that it is done perfectly.
How to Cook Butternut Squash on Stove: The Simplest Recipe!
To enjoy the dish, first of all, sort out the ingredients.
Ingredients to Cook: Sautéed Butternut Squash with Honey and Cinnamon
- 2 cups of butternut squash cut into cubes
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tsp honey
- 1 Tbsp butter
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- 2 slices sourdough bread
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
Steps to Cook Butternut Squash on the Stove
If you are wondering how to cook butternut squash on stove, here is the simple step-by-step process for you:-
- Step 1: First, you must heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the squash cubes.
- Step 2: Then, sauté it until it becomes soft and brown. For this, you have to cook it for around 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Next, add the butter and allow it to be cooked for 1-2 minutes.
- Step 4: After that, remove the pan from heat and add the cinnamon, honey, and apple cider vinegar. Then, season it with salt.
- Step 5: Now, make the toast, pile the squash on top of it and finally sprinkle some red pepper flakes.
How to Cook Butternut Squash in the Oven?
If you wish to ignore the hassle of cutting and peeling your butternut squash, and wondering how to cook butternut squash in oven, here’s the method you can use. You have to make some slits in the skin, put it on a microwave-safe plate, set the timer, and watch it as it spins its way to an incredibly tasty dish. To make sure that it is done, you can check it with a paring knife.
After that, let the squash cool down before you slice it lengthwise. Then, remove the seeds and scoop out the flesh. Finally, enjoy this buttery and sweet vegetable with your loved ones.
Cooking Butternut Squash in Microwave – How Long Does It Take?
The cooking time of butternut squash in the microwave depends on the size of the chopped vegetable. If you have a 3-pound squash, then it will take around 12 minutes. In that case, you may start checking it at 10 minutes and then continue to check it again at 1-minute intervals.
Some More Recipes for Butternut Squash
If you are looking for some other recipes to enjoy butternut squash, some of these are Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberry Glaze, how to Cook Butternut Squash in an Instant Pot, how to Cook Butternut Squash in Air Fryer, etc.
Important Things to Know
- Preparation Time: 5 Minutes
- Cooking Time (On Stove): 10-12 Minutes
- Cooking Time (In Oven): 10-12 Minutes
- Total Time: 15-20 Minutes
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
The Bottom Line!
If you love to cook different dishes and enjoy them with your friends and family, you must try this amazing dish, sautéed butternut squash, at least once to impress your guests. This buttery dish is tasty and healthy, which will definitely leave you craving for more!
