Choice and Storage
Within the U.S., buttercup squash is out there from fall to mid-winter months in farmers’ markets.
When deciding on buttercup squash, keep away from these with blemished, delicate, or rotting stems, in addition to any which can be broken or have cuts or punctures.
Buttercup squash has a thick, laborious rind, permitting it to be saved for as much as six months in a cool, dry place.
Nonetheless, as soon as lower, sections must be utilized in cooking promptly. When you intend to retailer lower sections for prolonged use (as much as 1-2 days solely), wrap them in cellophane and place them within the fridge set at excessive relative humidity.
Preparation and Serving strategies
Buttercup squash is among the many common winter greens within the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, usually serving as an alternative choice to butternut, kabocha, or pumpkin in equally cooked recipes.
Its dense, starchy, grainy, orange-yellow flesh carefully resembles that of candy potatoes.
Buttercups are famend for his or her dry-textured flesh, which retains its form when utilized in complete baked dishes, stuffed recipes, stews, and curries. It’s well-suited for varied cooking strategies together with baking, roasting, steaming, stuffing, boiling, and sautéing.
Whereas its powerful rind is edible, some cooks choose to peel it earlier than consumption.
Much like kabocha, buttercup squash could be sliced into rings or cubes and integrated right into a myriad of recipes together with soups, salads, stews, gratins, sandwiches, and risotto.
Listed below are some serving suggestions:
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Buttercup is often utilized in creamy soups in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.
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Uncooked grated buttercup is a pleasant addition to salads, imparting a candy crunch and a burst of yellow-orange hue.
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Much like kabocha or delicata squash, buttercup squash is halved, seeded, filled with bread, grains, bacon, meat, cheese, mushrooms, leafy greens (akin to spinach), and herbs, after which baked within the oven.
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Take pleasure in buttercup squash gratin with complementary greens or sausage.
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Mashed or pureed buttercup squash serves as a wholesome different to mashed potatoes.
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Whether or not baked, pureed, or mashed, buttercup squash could be utilized as a filling for empanadas, enchiladas, and ravioli, or integrated into desserts, pies, puddings, and bread.
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Buttercup squash kernels make for a satisfying snack when toasted within the oven.
Security Profile
Allergic reactions to buttercup squash are unusual, making it protected for consumption by pregnant ladies and infants. (Medical disclaimer).
You might also wish to learn ≻≻-
≻≻- Spaghetti squash Diet info.
≻≻- Acorn squash Diet info.
≻≻- Delicata squash Diet info.
≻≻-Pattypan squash Diet info.
≻≻-Again to Greens from Buttercup Squash diet. Go to right here for a powerful checklist of greens with full illustrations of their diet info and
well being advantages.
≻≻-Again to Residence web page.
Additional studying:
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Kabocha and Buttercup Squash for Western Oregon Gardens- Oregon State College Extension Service.
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Watch your backyard grow- College of Illinois Extension (PDF).