Butternut squash is a nutritious vegetable packed with fiber, vitamin A, and C. the rest of the family members, especially the kids, will love the sweet flavor.
There are different ways of cooking butternut squash in minutes. Learning how to microwave butternut squash will give you the easiest way to put this delicious meal on your table.
Wash the butternut squash well. Use a chef’s knife to cut both ends and then cut it into two halves. Scoop out the seeds from both the two halves of the squash. Place the two halves on parchment paper. Put the parchment paper in the microwave and heat it for 10 to 20 minutes. The time varies depending on how huge the butternut squash is. Carefully remove it from the microwave. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh of the butternut squash from the shell and serve.
This article contains detailed information to guide you through cooking butternut squash in the microwave. The author has illustrations of three different ways a microwave will make the cooking process easier for you. The article has also answered frequently asked questions about microwaving butternut squash.
3 Methods on How to cook butternut squash in microwave
There are so many ways of cooking butternut squash in a microwave. Below are some of the methods you can cook butternut squash in microwave.
1. Cooking whole butternut squash in the microwave
Requirements
- butternut squash
- Fork
- Microwavable bowl
Procedure
Step one: Clean the butternut squash
Wash the butternut squash and dry. Since the squash is being microwaved whole. Proper cleaning is required to prevent any possible spread of germs.
Step two: Prevent possible explosion of the butternut squash
Use a knife or fork to pierce through the butternut squash all around. The piercing allows the steam to escape, preventing a potential explosion of the vegetable inside the microwave.
Step three: Prepare for microwaving
Place it in a shallow microwave-safe bowl and put the bowl in the microwave.
Step four: Microwave the squash
Heat butternut squash for 10 to 20 minutes. However, the microwaving time varies depending on how big the butternut squash is.
Step five: Serve the squash
Carefully remove the butternut squash from the microwave. Use gloves or a towel to touch the bowl since it is still hot. Use the knife to cut it open and remove the seeds.
2. Cooking half butternut squash in microwave
Requirements
- butternut squash
- knife
- A shallow microwavable bowl.
Procedure
Step one: Ensure proper cleanliness
Ensure the butternut squash is clean by thoroughly washing it to eliminate any fertilizer chemicals or pesticides.
Step two: Prepare the butternut squash for cooking
- Chop both ends and cut them in half.
- Cutting the butternut squash into halves will allow the escape of steam easily.
- Remove the seeds from both haves and put the vegetables in a shallow microwavable bowl facing down.
Step three: Microwave the butternut squash
Place the bowl in the microwave and heat for 10 minutes. Remove the bowl from the microwave and carefully flip them. Cover the butternut squash with wax paper and return it to the microwave. Heat again for an extra 5 to 10 minutes.
Step four: Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave
Then use a spoon to scoop the flesh of the butternut squash, placing it in a different bowl. It is now ready to be served.
3. Cooking butternut squash in cubes
Requirements.
- butternut squash
- Chopping board.
- Knife
- Microwavable container
Procedure.
Step one: Ensure the butternut squash
As usual, the butternut squash has to be thoroughly cleaned. Proper, thorough washing gets rid of any fertilizer chemicals, pesticides, or preservatives the squash might have gotten from the farm or the store where you bought it.
Step two: Peeling the skin of the squash
- Place the squash on a clean chopping board.
- Use a vegetable peeler to peel off the skin of the squash.
- Chop the squash into pieces or desirable shapes using a knife.
Step three: Prepare for microwave cooking
Place it in a microwavable container. Ensure the container’s cover is air-tight. Put the container in the microwave and heat it for 10 to 15 minutes?
Step four: Serve the squash
Carefully remove the container from the microwave and serve the squash.
Cooked butternut squash can be enjoyed as a top-up to another delicious main meal. It can also be used to add colour and texture to a salad. You can mash it up with the baby’s food, and they will enjoy it or add some seasoning, salt, pepper, and potatoes, then mash it up to make a delicious mashed potato squash meal for yourself. Squash can also be blended into a sweet soup that can be served alongside many delicacies.
Nutritional value of butternut squash
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is known for playing a vital role in maintaining the normal functioning of our eyesight. It also contributes to the stable function of other body organs like the kidney, heart, and lungs. Vitamin A also boosts our immune system and reproduction.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential for the development and repair of body tissues. The availability of ascorbic acid in vitamin C has also enabled it to be part of the function of the immune system that deals with healing wounds and maintaining bones and teeth.
Fiber
Since fiber is the indigestible part of what we eat, it plays an important role in helping the digestion process by solidifying stool by absorbing water and adding bulk to it. Through this, the stool can be passed out easily without experiencing constipation. Therefore fiber improves our digestive health and has recently been discovered as a weight loss agent.
Faqs On How to Microwave Butternut Squash
1. How long do I cook a buttercup squash in the microwave?
There is no accurate time for how long squash needs to be microwaved. The time varies depending on the size of the squash. For instance, Medium-sized butternut squash may microwave for 15 minutes, while those that are larger may take up to 25 minutes.
2. How do you soften buttercup squash in the microwave?
Five minutes is enough to soften your squash in the microwave. You will be able to peel it easily and even chop it into several pieces of your choice.
3. Can you put butternut squash in the microwave?
Yes, you can. You can chop it into small pieces. Put them in a microwave-safe container. Add some water and tightly cover the container. Place it in the microwave and set a 4 minute. Ensure the heat level is high and hit the START button.
4. Is it safe to melt butter in microwave?
Yes, it is safe to melt butter in the microwave. However, proper care should be taken as you melt. As you heat the butter, stop the microwave halfway to the set time to stir the butter before returning it to the microwave to continue melting. Stirring will enable the distribution of heat in the melting butter to prevent the possibility of burning in specific parts while others are yet to melt.
5. What is the difference between butternut and buttercup squash?
Buttercup squash is easily identified by its round shape and dark green colour. At the same time, butternut squash has a tan bowling pin shape. It is also a dark shade of beige in colour. Butternut squash also grows at large during winter.
6. What is the easiest way to cut buttercup squash?
The easiest way to cut through buttercup squash is to chop both ends with a chef’s knife. Then use one of the ends to split it into two halves. Ensure to be careful not to cut your hand with the knife.
7. How long does it take to boil butternut squash?
Boiling butternut squash takes 9 to 15 minutes. Chop it into sizeable pieces, place them in a saucepan, add some water, and cover completely. Place the pan on the stove and boil for 9 to 15 minutes.
8. Can butternut squash skins eat?
Butternut squash skin can be eaten. They too, are nutritious and delicious, especially if cooked well.
9. Can you freeze butternut squash?
Yes, you can. Chop it into pieces. Use a freezer bag or freezer-safe container to store the pieces and ensure both are air-tight. Frozen butternut squash is known to last for months or even a year.
10. Do I need to peel butternut squash before roasting?
No, you do not. You can still roast butternut squash with its skin still on. The skin will not interfere with the roasting process; it will soften and taste so delicious when eaten.
11. Is butternut squash hard to cut?
Yes, it is. But with the easy steps, you can find it easy to navigate through the process. The easiest way to cut through buttercup squash is to chop both ends with a chef’s knife. Then use one of the ends to split it into two halves.
Conclusion
Butternut squash is microwavable in several ways. The process is easy and takes a few minutes. The vegetable is rich in vitamins A and C. it is also perfect for your digestion since it contains fiber. However, as you plan to microwave your next butternut squash, ensure to give it proper cleaning to get rid of preservatives and fertilizer chemicals.
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