Let's learn how to dehydrate butternut squash! It does take a little prep work.
Although butternut squash can be difficult to peel, it's well worth the effort! I use this veggie in our doggie's dinner.
Read more about making your own dog food here.
Top question: How do you dehydrate butternut squash?
Read further down the page for complete deets on how to dehydrate butternut squash!
Is there dehydrated butternut squash for dog treats?
I use butternut squash to make my doggies "chicken chow" dog food. Read more about that here.
How to dry butternut squash seeds for planting?
Here are the steps for properly drying butternut squash seeds for saving and replanting:
With this drying method, you'll have a ready supply of heirloom seeds perfectly suited to your regional growing climate. Enjoy nurturing your home-grown butternut squash plants!
Mother's Day Specials!
VITAMINS: Loaded with Vitamin A. Also contains Vitamin C, Folate, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Niacin, and trace amounts of Pantothenic Acid and Thiamine, so it's well worth your time and energy.
MINERALS: Potassium ranks high, followed by Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus, with trace amounts of Selenium, Manganese, and Zinc.
Butternut squash also contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
If using frozen butternut squash, ignore steps 1 and 2.
I'd like to make a note here that I have not tried dehydrating puréed frozen butternut squash, but I think it would work just fine on the fruit roll sheets! Just let it thaw out first...
When dehydrating butternut squash, it needs to be steamed lightly first, to aid in the dehydrating process.
Butternut squash makes a great soup and purées well for sauces.
As I mentioned at the top of this page, my primary use of butternut squash is for my Chicken Chow dog food for our perfectly adorable Miniature Pinscher!
I would like to add here that it's better to have even-sized pieces of the squash on the dehydrator trays—it dries out better and at the same rate, so you're NOT taking off the small pieces and still running the dehydrator to finish drying the larger pieces.
Don't let my photo of the bigger piece of butternut squash on the dehydrator tray (shown in the previous section) lead you astray!
Oops, sorry about that... :-)
(do as I say, not as I do! LOL)
There is more than one type of butternut squash.
The most common type of butternut squash is the Waltham Butternut Squash.
This type of squash is large and oblong, with a yellow-orange color. It has a sweet, nutty flavor that makes it perfect for soups, stews, and pies.
Another type of butternut squash is the Buttercup Squash. This type of squash is smaller and rounder than the Waltham Butternut Squash. It has a greenish-yellow color and a sweeter, more delicate flavor. It is often used in baby food because of its smooth texture.
Finally, there is the Pumpkin Squash. This type of squash is small and round, with an orange-yellow color. It has a mild, sweet flavor that makes it perfect for pies and other desserts. So, if you're looking for a specific type of canned butternut squash, be sure to check the labels before you buy.
The best areas to grow butternut squash are in warm climates with well-drained soils. Butternut squash is a warm-weather crop, so it does not do well in cold or damp conditions. Additionally, butternut squash needs full sun and well-drained soil to thrive.
So, if you're looking for the perfect spot to grow butternut squash, make sure it is in a warm climate with full sun and well-drained soil.
Butternut squash is related to pumpkin. They are both members of the gourd family. Butternut squash is actually a type of winter squash, which is a group of squash that is characterized by its hard skin and sweet flesh.
Pumpkin is also a type of winter squash, but it is more commonly used for carving than for eating. So, while butternut squash and pumpkin are related, they are not the same.
Now you know how to dehydrate butternut squash and pumpkins, I'd love to hear from you! Contact me here and share your recipe!
If you want to try your hand at making butternut squash soup, check out this Butternut Squash Soup recipe from AllRecipes.com
The photo is NOT from their website, but you use it for serving inspiration!