Show Me Pictures of Butternut Squash – A Photo Guide to This Nutritious Squash

Butternut squash is a popular winter squash prized for its sweet nutty flavor and smooth creamy texture when cooked. Its tan skin and orange, squash-shaped body make it easy to identify. If you want to learn more about how to identify butternut squash, grow it, and use it in cooking, pictures can be incredibly helpful.

In this photo guide we’ll look at high-quality pictures of butternut squash from farm to table to give you a visual understanding of this healthy versatile vegetable.

Butternut Squash on the Vine

Butternut squash is a vining plant in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. Its vines can spread 10 feet or more once established. The squash itself grows attached to the vine not underground like carrot or potatoes.

Here are some key points about identifying butternut squash plants:

• Large, sprawling vines with large leaves. Needs ample space to grow.

• Yellow trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in summer. Male and female flowers occur separately but on same plant.

• Oblong smooth-skinned squash 6-9 inches long. Tan, sometimes with pale orange blush.

• Attached to vine by thick, cork-like stem. Squash ripens in fall.

• Thick, hard rind. Rind turns from green to tan as it matures.

Harvesting Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is harvested in early fall once the rinds harden and color changes. The squash is cut from the vine carefully with a sharp knife, keeping 3-4 inches of stem attached.

Look for these signs to know when butternut squash is ripe for picking:

• Skin turns tan and feels hard/woody when tapped
• Yellow ground spot on bottom
• Full tan/orange color inside when cut open
• Stems begin to dry and shrivel

Butternut should feel heavy for its size when ripe. Under-ripe squash won’t store well. Handle gently to avoid bruises and cuts.

Butternut Squash Varieties

There are a few different varieties of butternut squash to know:

• Waltham – Most common. Tan skin, orange flesh. Sweet flavor.

• Early Butternut – Ready earlier. Smaller and more oblong.

• Honeynut – Small, 3-5 inches long. Deeper orange flesh. Extra sweet.

• Queensland Blue – Heirloom Australian variety with blue-gray skin.

• Butterscotch – Hybrid with dark orange flesh. Very sweet with smooth texture.

Butternut Squash at the Market

When shopping for butternut squash, look for produce with:

• Hard, tough, tan rind free of cuts, mold and bruises
• Heavy for its size and feels firm when pressed
• Dull not glossy rind (glossy means picked too early)
• Deep orange flesh inside when cut
• Intact and not shriveled stem
• Sweet, nutty aroma

Butternut can be found year round but tastes best fresh in fall and early winter. Try farmers markets for local, organic varieties.

Prep and Storage

Butternut squash is prepared by:

• Cutting in half lengthwise and scooping out seeds
• Peeling tough outer rind with knife or vegetable peeler
• Chopping, dicing, or cutting into cubes to prepare for cooking

Store whole, uncut squash in cool, dry place up to 2-3 months. Once cut, refrigerate and use within 5 days. The seeds can also be washed, roasted and eaten as a snack.

Cooking with Butternut Squash

When cooked, butternut squash takes on a rich, creamy texture and sweet, nutty butternut squash flavor. It’s delicious in everything from soups to pastas, baked goods, side dishes and more.

Here are some common ways butternut squash is prepared:

• Roasted – cubed or sliced, tossed in oil, roasted at 400°F until tender.

• Puréed – flesh scooped out, mashed, and blended with broth into smooth soup or purée.

• Sautéed – diced and cooked in oil or butter until softened.

• Baked – halved and baked cut-side down until easily pierced with fork.

• Steamed – added to steamer basket over boiling water until fork-tender.

• Grilled – sliced into 1-inch planks, oiled, and grilled for 8-10 minutes.

Serving Butternut Squash Dishes

These pictures of finished butternut squash dishes showcase how it can be incorporated into meals:

• Hearty squash soups, garnished with herbs or toasted pepitas

• Ravioli or gnocchi stuffed with cubed butternut squash

• Risottos with butternut squash and sage

• Salads with roasted squash, spinach, feta cheese and pumpkin seeds

• Pizza with squash slices, caramelized onions, broccoli and cheese

• Quiches or frittatas with wilted greens and diced roasted squash

• Pasta tossed with sautéed squash, bacon and Parmesan

• Grilled squash planks served over quinoa with chickpeas and tahini sauce

The Beauty of Butternut Squash

Part of what makes butternut squash such a popular choice is its bright orange color and unique shape. When incorporated into dishes, it adds beautiful color and texture contrast.

These photos give a visual appreciation for butternut squash’s appearance:

• Color gradients from green rind to deep orange center
• Interesting ridged, bulbous base tapering to long neck
• Striking color pop when cubed into soups or salads
• Natural rustic backdrop for autumn meals and decor

So for a true visual understanding of this healthy winter squash, look no further than this guide full of butternut squash pictures. From seed to harvest to table, these photos illustrate the journey of butternut squash and provide inspiration to include it in your own kitchen creations.