Dehydrating Butternut Squash

Dehydrating butternut squash takes a little prep work. Although butternut squash can be difficult to peel, it's well worth the effort! I use this in our doggie's dinner. Read more about making your own dog food here.

Butternut Squash Nutrition Info.

Butternut squash is loaded with vitamin A, followed by 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.

In the butternut squash's mineral department potassium ranks high, followed by calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, with trace amounts of selenium, manganese, and zinc. Butternut squash also contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids too.

Butternut Squash Soup!

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If you want to try your hand at making butternut squash soup, check out this Butternut Squash Soup recipe from AllRecipes.com 

Photo above is NOT from their website, but you can use it for serving inspiration!

Dehydrating Butternut Squash ~
Save a Step—Buy Frozen!

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, and as I mentioned at the top of this page, my primary use of butternut squash is for my Chicken Chow dog food!

Are There More Than One Type of Butternut Squash?

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 Pumpkino Squash. This type of squash is small and round, with a 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.

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How to Dehydrate Butternut Squash

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...

1. Peel the butternut squash and cut into 3/4-inch strips, or cubed butternut squash is fine for more even drying
   
2. Steam over boiling water for about 7 minutes, or until your squash is tender
3. Arrange the butternut squash on your dehydrator trays, making sure they don't overlap each other.
4. Turn on your food dehydrator and set the temperature between 125°F and 135°F (or per your food dehydrator's instructions) and that's all there is to it!

• Drying time: between 7-10 hours.
• Butternut squash will be leathery in consistency when dried.
• Please remember to rotate your dehydrator trays for even drying.

Cut Evenly Sized Pieces—it Dehydrates Better!

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 above) lead you astray! Oops, sorry about that... :-)

Butternut Squash Ready For Steaming
and Dehydrated Butternut Squash

What Are the Best Areas to Grow Butternut Squash?

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.

Is Butternut Squash Related to Pumpkin?

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.

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