Butternut Squash: How to Freeze Chunks

By rcjas

Butternut squash is a seasonal vegetable available only three months of the year, from September to November. Freezing butternut squash chunks allows you to enjoy the tasty vegetable year-round. While typical methods of freezing butternut squash usually involve cooking and mashing it, freezing it in chunks gives you the option of using it in your favorite recipe straight from the freezer. Cook frozen butternut squash chunks by adding them directly to boiling water, stews or casseroles without having to thaw the vegetable first.

Ingredients

• Things You'll Need
• Vegetable scrubber
• Knife
• Spoon
• Y-shaped vegetable peeler
• Large pot
• Colander
• Large pan
• Plastic freezer containers or bags

Details

Adapted from livestrong.com

Preparation

Step 1

Clean your butternut squash with a vegetable scrubber and cold running water.
Cut off the stem of the butternut squash and slice it in half.
Scoop out the stringy fibers and seeds with a spoon.
Peel the skin off with a Y-shaped vegetable peeler. Scrape the skin in a direction away from your body.
Cut the butternut squash into chunks.
Place the chunks into a large pot of boiling water. Boil for three minutes to blanch. The Colorado State University states that blanching is a quick-boiling technique that slows the enzymatic action of fruit and vegetables to help preserve the flavor, nutrients and texture while freezing.
Drain the butternut squash through a colander.
Place the colander in a large pan of cold, ice water to cool the butternut squash.
Place the chunks of butternut squash into plastic freezer containers or bags. Seal tightly.
Mark the container or bag with the date and "butternut squash."
Keep your butternut squash in a freezer set to 0 degrees F for up to one year.