Can You Freeze Butternut Squash? Keep It Fresh for Months!
You can freeze butternut squash! Freezing it keeps it ready for soups, casseroles, and roasts and extends its lifetime.
Whatever way you want to use it, you can freeze it raw, blanched, or cooked. Although freezing might slightly soften the texture, storing it properly helps keep the quality. This article talks about the best ways to freeze butternut squash, organize it, and use it after it has been frozen.
Can You Freeze Butternut Squash?
The Short Answer
You can freeze butternut squash to make it last longer. It remains best in quality for 8-10 months when frozen, though it may last up to a year with proper storage. What you want to do with the squash will determine the best way to freeze it.
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Raw butternut squash: Blanched butternut squash is best for roasting or stews, as blanching helps preserve texture.
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Freeze cooked butternut squash: Ideal for soups, purees, and baby food.
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Frozen squash: For best results, store frozen squash in an airtight freezer bag or vacuum-sealed packaging to prevent freezer burn..
Why Freeze Butternut Squash?
One great way to save time and money when making meals is to freeze butternut squash. Whether you have extra winter squash or banana squash, freezing retains most nutrients, though minor vitamin loss (such as Vitamin C) may occur over time.
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Helps you save time: Squash cubes that have already been cut are ready to use.
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Cuts down on waste: extra peeled squash stays fresh longer.
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Keeps the flavor: Great for roasting, baking, and making butternut soup.
Is It Better to Freeze Raw or Cooked Butternut Squash?
Freezing Raw Butternut Squash
For stews, stir-fries, and roasts, raw butternut squash is best. It can be used in many ways if you freeze it raw, but it may get a little softer when it thaws.
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Preparation: To prepare the squash, peel it with a vegetable peeler, cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and cut it into cubes.
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Freezing quickly: Put the cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for an hour. Then, put them in a plastic freezer bag and freeze again.
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Storage: Keep in a container or freezer bag that can go in the freezer for up to 12 months.
Freezing Cooked Butternut Squash
If you want to make butternut squash puree, baby food, or soups, you can freeze the cooked squash. If you cook something before you freeze it, it will stay smooth.
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Cooking methods: Either roast them in an olive oil-filled baking dish or steam them until they are soft.
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How to Freeze: Mash the butternut squash into a puree, then freeze it in muffin tins or ice cube trays so that it can be served in small amounts.
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Storage: Moving frozen food to a freezer bag or another freezer-safe container is how you store it.
Does Freezing Butternut Squash Change the Texture?
How Freezing Affects Texture
If the squash was frozen raw, it may get softer after it thaws. The change in texture is most noticeable in raw butternut squash. It doesn't affect butternut soup or purees, though.
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Raw frozen squash: Can become slightly mushy when thawed.
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Cooked squash: Retains a smooth texture, perfect for butternut squash soup.
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Butternut squash puree: Freezing helps preserve consistency for later use.
Best Ways to Preserve Texture
If you freeze your butternut squash the right way, it will keep its texture. Texture changes can be lessened by blanching before freezing.
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Blanching: Put squash cubes in boiling water for two to three minutes, then move them to water that is very cold.
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Flash freezing: Put the cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment lined baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour.
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Proper thawing: The best way to thaw frozen squash is to leave it in the fridge overnight or cook it straight from frozen in stews and soups.
What is the Best Way to Freeze Fresh Squash?
Preparing Butternut Squash for Freezing
Getting ready is important whether you're freezing butternut squash cubes or puree. When you cook different kinds of winter squash, like banana squash, in the same way, the quality stays high.
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Peel and cut: Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin, then slice in half and scoop out the seeds.
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Cut into cubes: Chop into even butternut squash cubes for uniform freezing.
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Blanching (optional): Boil for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to ice water to prevent texture loss.
Choosing the Best Freezing Method
Depending on what you want to do with the squash, there are different ways to freeze it. The right way to store food keeps it fresh and stops freezer burn.
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Freezing raw cubes: Put them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for an hour. Transfer to a freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing it.
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Freezing cooked squash: You can freeze cooked squash by roasting it in olive oil in a baking dish and then mashing or pureeing it. For best results, freeze the mixture in ice cube trays or muffin tins and then store it in a container that can go in the freezer.
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Freeze butternut squash soup: Put butternut squash soup into containers or freezer bags with enough room for it to expand before freezing.
What FullyHealthy Can Do for You
FullyHealthy’s Organic Butternut Squash
FullyHealthy has high-quality, organic butternut squash products that make it easier to plan meals. Their choices are good for people with a range of dietary needs, such as AIP and gluten-free.
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Farmer’s Market Organic Butternut Squash: Pre-pureed and ready for soups or food styling.
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Convenient storage: Comes in a BPA-free can for easy use.
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Versatile use: Great for butternut soup, stews, or baking.
Other FullyHealthy Products for a Healthier Diet
FullyHealthy has more than just squash. They also have many other organic and allergy-friendly foods. With their selection, it's easier to make healthy meals without giving up taste.
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AIP-compliant snacks: AIP-friendly snacks are natural, healthy foods that don't have any added ingredients.
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Spices and pantry essentials: organic spices and baking needs.
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Discount products: organic and specialty foods are always on sale.
Final Thoughts
It's easy to keep butternut squash fresh for months by freezing it. The taste will stay the same whether you freeze butternut squash soup, raw butternut squash, or puree. To freeze chunks, put them on a sheet pan. To store mashed squash, put it in ice cube trays.
Move to a freezer bag and squeeze out as much air as you can after it's cool. You can use frozen squash in a lot of great recipes, from soups to roasted meals.
FAQs
Can I freeze butternut squash with pumpkin?
Yes! Use the same method to freeze both. Cut into chunks, toss them on a sheet pan, freeze, then store.
Can I cook frozen squash directly in the oven?
Yes. For best texture, thaw frozen squash slightly before roasting, or increase cooking time to allow for moisture evaporation.
Will frozen butternut squash affect the taste?
Freezing may slightly soften texture and cause minor flavor loss, but it remains ideal for soups and mashed dishes.
Can I freeze butternut squash in large chunks?
Yes, but smaller pieces freeze better. Cut into cubes for a convenient method.
How do I freeze cooked butternut squash for later recipes?
Mash or puree, let it cool, then freeze in ice cube trays for easy use in soups or sauces.
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