Learn how to roast a whole butternut squash to save yourself some time and hard work! Whole roasted butternut can then be added to stew or salads.
Hi lovely, do you've a butternut squash sitting in your kitchen for some time now, and you still do not have the energy to pick a knife to peel and cut it?
I am here to show you how to roast a whole butternut squash without any effort! Are you in?
You can sometimes have cravings for roast butternut squashes or winter squashes when you see them in markets or shops. More likely, you are excited by yummy butternut recipes that make your taste buds yearn for some.
The thing is, roasting a butternut squash when you have painful hands or when you are sick, tired, out of time, or super busy isn't a simple thing to do.
But from here on, you'll now be enjoying your roasted butternut anytime you want to. Roasting whole butternut squash takes all the tough work off your hands!
Peeling butternut squash
- Can I just remind you again that vegetable and fruit skins are packed with phytochemical nutrients.
- Do not peel your butternut squash before roasting it.
- The skin of butternut squash contains about 80% moisture.
- Butternut skin has fat.
- The skin is rich in phenolic compounds and is edible once well cooked.
- Butternut skin has a high level of antioxidants than in the seeds.
Having these points in mind, you'll now roast your whole butternut squash without any doubt of preserving the most nutrients.
I've roasted 2 whole butternut squashes for you;
- On one butternut, I applied a mixture of coconut oil with balsamic vinegar together with sumac spice to add flavor. I don't let the butternut squash to roast completely, this way, you can dice it and incorporate it in your other recipes or serve it as a side dish.
- On the other, I only rubbed coconut oil and some salt. I also cooked it longer than the 1st one so that you can make a homemade butternut puree. It's also perfect for making a butternut soup. You just need to peel the skin with your fingers or by using a spoon.
How to store whole roasted butternut
- You can roast several butternuts and store some in the fridge or freeze them.
- If you want to freeze, cut open the roasted butternut and scoop out the seeds.
- Dice them into cubes and put them in freezer bags
- Otherwise, you can wrap the whole roasted butternut in a kitchen towel, then slide it inside a freezer bag and store it in the fridge for up to 10 days.
I hope this post is helpful to you. Please drop me a comment and share what you think; I would love to hear from you. Please don't forget to pin and share.
My love to you, Githu.
See these healthy recipes with butternut squash.
- Massaged kale salad with smoky chickpeas
- The best and the healthiest sweet potato recipe
- Vegan buddha quinoa bowl
- Healthy vegetable stir fry
How to roast a whole butternut squash
Materials
- 1 medium butternut squash
- 1 tsp olive or coconut oil
- some salt
- ½ tsp spices of your choice (here I use sumac)
- ½ tsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Clean your butternut and pat dry it
- Turn on your oven to 200°C (392°F)
- Using a thin sharp-edged knife or a fork, stab the butternut all over to make small holes. This will accelerate the cooking
- For spicy roasted butternut, mix the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl, and apply the mixture all over the butternut squash
- However, for simple roasted butternut, apply oil and salt all over.
- Put the butternut to roast. After 30 mins, turn the butternut to roast the other side
- If you want to incorporate the butternut squash in a stew or in a salad, don't let it cook too much. About 40 minutes are enough. This way the butternut will hold well especially in salads
- For a puree, let the butternut roast for up to 1 hour. It will be tender and the skin will peel off easily
- Leave the roasted butternut to cool before using it.
Source
Gloria
I love roasting squash, but I will say I have never tried this method. I usually cut it in half and bake. I will give this a try next time. Love that you don't have to peel it....that is the worst part.
Githu
Hi Gloria, I am glad you'll try to roast a whole butternut, you'll see how easy it is. Be blessed
Sharon
Great steps and instructions for cooking squash. A great way to make squash ahead to have on hand for side dishes or soups.
Githu
Sharon, you are right. Roasting butternut ahead of time makes cooking easy and especially when you are busy and have less time. Many blessings
Amy
Wow! I have never roasted a butternut squash whole before! And I definitely have never roasted it with the skin on the way you have described it. But I love knowing all about the nutritional value of having the skin on. What an great side to have with dinner.
Adriana
Thanks for the tips. I guess everyone has different ways to cook butternut squash. My favorite by far is baking it because it enhances the flavors.
Githu
Hi Adriana, I am sure the end results are the same, delicious. Thank you for sharing your way.
Kay
Followed your directions and added curry powder for my chosen spice. It was lovely!
Jo
Butternut squash is best when roasted. The caramelization that happens on it due to roasting is mind blowing flavors. Simply love whole roasted butternut squash.
Githu
Hi Jo, I am happy that we share the love of roasted butternut. Many blessings.
Eva
This was very useful! I always peel my butternut squash and roast it in chunks, but I remember having it with skin on at a restaurant in a salad, and it had a different texture than the chunks I roast. Must have been roasted whole, then chopped. Gotta try next time, I want to replicate that salad!
Githu
Hi Eva, roasting whole butternut prevents the loss of flavors and nutrients, and that makes the end result is amazingly delicious. Now, you can go ahead and make that memorable salad.
Sunrita
Such a great post with such good ideas. Balsamic and Sumac sounds like a good idea to season and bring a dash of flavour.
Jill
This was so helpful you wouldn't believe! I have tried peeling a butternut squash before and you know that's just impossible. This was beyond easy!
Githu
Jill, I know, it's not easy to peel a raw butternut squash. I am happy that this post helped you.
Kathryn Donangelo
This is such a great post because I've always wondered how to roast a whole butternut squash! Thank you so much!
Githu
Kathryn, I am so happy you found this helpful. Many blessings
Veronika
I love roasting butternut squash and use it in different recipes! Thanks for all the tips and tricks you provide, definitely will try your method!
Githu
Hi, Veronika, I am happy to know you'll give this recipe a try. Many blessings.
Beth
I'm so excited to see someone else roasts their squash whole - it always made so much sense to me. But I have never tried it with anything but olive oil on the outside. I can't wait to try seasoning one.
Githu
Hi Beth, I am glad that you too roast whole butternut. Yes, you can spice them especially if you'll eat the skin... Much love.
Heidy McCallum
Butternut squash is one of my favorite squashes, and this recipe was outstanding. Roasting the butternut squash really brings a whole new level of flavor. The kids even enjoyed it! Happy Sunday!
Githu
Hi Heidy, I so happy that your kids loved roasted butternut. Many thanks.
Amy
Thank you for this easy, helpful tutorial! I love butternut squash and followed this to make some for adding to my salads this week!
Githu
Thank you, Amy that you found this helpful. I hope you love roasted butternut in salad as I do. Be blessed.
Cindy
This was so much easier than having to peel and cut the butternut squash beforehand and it tasted great! I enjoyed it with just olive oil and salt and it was perfect as a side dish.
Githu
Cindy, you made it just the right way. Olive oil and salt on roasted butternut, mmmmm miam. I am happy you love it.
Melanie
Big fan of butternut here, your recipe was spot on. A keeper for sure.
Githu
Melanie, I am glad I not alone who keeps butternut in the house. There's always a new recipe to explore with butternut. Many blessings
Debbie
This is such a different method of roasting a butternut squash. We love this at my house and you just made my life so much easier .
Githu
Debbie, I am so happy that this recipe was helpful.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
I am so excited to learn this technique. We love butternut squash and I always have it in hand. Roasting the squash makes it even more sweeter and flavorful.
Githu
Thank you Sandhya, I am glad that this recipe will be helpful.