Ways To Prepare Butternut Squash For Baby (BLW)
Butternut squash is popular amongst baby food recipes thanks to the sweet, slightly nutty taste. On top of providing a host of health benefits, the butternut squash is very versatile and can be prepared in many ways – steamed, roasted or boiled. You can make delicious puree combinations, use as finger food or for baby led weaning feeding.
Butternut Squash For Babies
Butternut squash is perfect for your baby’s first solid food, once cooked it’s sweet, easy to chew, and is full of nutrients (Vitamin A and C specifically). Also did you know that a cup of cubed butternut squash provides more potassium than the amount available in a banana? It’s best to introduce butternut squash to kids when they’re babies and toddlers, this will help them develop healthy eating habits early and probably later in life.
How To cook Butternut Squash For Baby
First peel the butternut squash, cut it in half the long way and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
Cut into smaller pieces and then you can:
- Steam – bring 1 inch of water to boil in a saucepan fitted with a steamer basket and cover with a lid. How long to steam butternut squash? Butternut squash steams quickly – about 15-20 minutes, pierce with fork and check when it’s ready.
- Bake / Roast – here you have two options: if you want cubes or strips, it’s best to cut then bake. If you intend to serve with a spoon or make a butternut squash puree then cut your butternut squash in half lengthwise (no need to peel) and bake face down to trap the moisture inside. For a caramelized surface roast cut-side up. Roasting time is about 30-45 minutes, it depends on how big are the pieces. You can roast in advance and use to make a butternut squash soup later.
- Boil – this method is best when you make soups and purees as you would keep the water with all the nutrients that leached in there while boiling.
Butternut Squash For Baby Led Weaning
Just like baby led weaning with carrots or sweet potatoes, the butternut squash has a nice soft texture (when cooked), is nutritionally dense and is one of the best sources of vitamin A.
How To Cut Butternut Squash For Baby Led Weaning
You have two options:
- Peel and cut first, then bake / steam, OR
- bake in the oven first (cut in half) then cut and serve to your baby.
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For a fun crinkle-cut shape use a crinkle knife, it’s quick to cut and easy for babies to hold with their little hands because it doesn’t slide off.
You can also cut into pieces (cubes, strips, mashed with a fork, as a puree or small sized half moon shapes.
Also bear in mind that if you prepare the butternut squash as finger food, it should be cooked until tender but still firm enough to keep its integrity.
How To Serve Butternut Squash For Babies
Butternut Squash Baby Puree (Stage 1)
This involves making baby butternut squash puree by itself with a very smooth and soupy texture. This is usually suitable for babies between 5-8 months of age and 6+ months for baby-led weaning.
After baking, roasting or steaming, you just scoop out the soft flesh and puree butternut squash in a food processor or blender until smooth. Then you add water as needed to reach the desired consistency. No salt or spices needed.
Butternut Squash Baby Puree Combinations (Stage 2)
After several months of stage 1 single-ingredient purees, your baby will probably start expressing readiness for the next phase (stage 2): more kinds of food, thicker textures and larger portions. This is typical for babies 8 months of age and older.
Here is what butternut squash puree combination you can try:
- steamed kale and butternut squash puree
- butternut squash and carrot puree
- butternut squash and cauliflower puree
- pureed butternut squash and cooked chicken or beef
- steamed broccoli and butternut squash puree
- cooked beans (black, white beans, chickpeas) and butternut squash puree
- steamed apples (or pear) and butternut squash puree
- peas and butternut squash puree
- mashed avocado and butternut squash puree
- pureed butternut squash with rice or oatmeal porridge
- puree cooked squash with a some broth or cream and add seasonings of your choice
- zucchini and butternut squash puree.
Butternut Squash Finger Food Recipes For Baby
- steamed (roasted) crinkle-cut butternut squash sticks
- roasted butternut squash cubes
- butternut squash muffins (just like these baby banana muffins, replace mashed banana with mashed butternut squash).
- butternut squash pancakes (use this baby banana pancakes as reference, by replacing banana with squash).
- butternut squash fritters
- waffles with grated butternut squash or pureed.
How To Store And Freeze Butternut Squash For Baby Food
Store leftover puree for 3-5 days at room temperature.
Freeze: spoon the butternut squash puree into ice-cube trays and freeze (defrost the small amounts when you need it.) Use silicone trays, they are really flexible and durable. Then pop the frozen cubes into a freezer bag or container and return to the freezer for a more convenient storage.
Thaw in the refrigerator. Do not freeze again.
If you have a chance buy fresh whole butternut squashes: when stored in a cool, dry place, the squash will last for months. And whenever you’re ready to cook it, it will be readily available.
Butternut Squash For Babies FAQ
Yes. Butternut squash has a high nutritional value, packing a lot of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. Butternut squash is perfect for your baby’s first solid food due to it’s pleasant, sweet flavor and soft texture (when cooked).
Typically from 6 months and up, or whenever your baby is ready.
Try serving the butternut squash mixed with a favorite fruit or some breast milk. Babies learn to associate the favorite flavors with veggies over time.
If it’s pre-cut, the easiest way is to steam or roast in the oven with a touch of oil until tender.
If you have frozen butternut squash in your freezer, you can definitely use it for roasting (if it’s cubed, throw it directly in the preheated oven) or make a puree.
The skin on the butternut squash is very tough so you need to peel before cooking.
Butternut squash contains soluble and insoluble fiber which help to cleanse the digestive tract and bulks up stool to make constipation less likely. But it might not be the most effective if you expect a laxative effect. Prune puree is a much more effective remedy for baby constipation.
More Baby Led Weaning Recipes & Tips
- Sweet Potato Baby Led Weaning: Ways To Serve
- Carrots For Baby Led Weaning
- Banana For Babies – Baby Led Weaning Method
Need more puree recipes? Check out the puree category for more ideas!
Ways To Prepare And Cook Butternut Squash For Baby
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash (about 2.5 lb)
Instructions
- First peel the butternut squash, cut it in half the long way and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Cut into smaller pieces and then you can:
Steam The Butternut Squash For Mashing or Serve As Finger Food
- Bring 1 inch of water to boil in a saucepan fitted with a steamer basket and cover with a lid. How long to steam butternut squash? Butternut squash steams quickly – about 15-20 minutes, it depends on how big the pieces are. Pierce with fork and check when it’s ready.
Roast / Bake The Butternut Squash Serve As Finger Food (BLW)
- Here you have two options: if you want cubes or strips, it’s best to cut first, then bake. If you intend to serve with a spoon or make a butternut squash puree then cut your butternut squash in half lengthwise (no need to peel) and bake face down to trap the moisture inside. For a caramelized surface roast cut-side up. Roasting time is about 30-45 minutes, it depends on how big are the pieces. If I want soft butternut squash bake at 380F, to get a caramelized, golden brown crust: 410-425F.
Boil The Butternut Squash To Make Purees
- Boiling is best when you make soups and purees as you would keep the water with all the nutrients that leached in there while boiling. When the squash is nice in soft, transfer in a blender and add some water from steamer to help it blend. Add small amounts at a time to get the desired consistency (thinner or thicker). The soupy purees are good for babies from 5 to 8 months then you can make it thicker and clumpier.
Notes
Butternut Squash Puree Combinations You Can Try:
- steamed kale and butternut squash puree
- butternut squash and carrot puree
- butternut squash and cauliflower puree
- pureed butternut squash and cooked chicken or beef
- steamed broccoli and butternut squash puree
- cooked beans (black, white beans, chickpeas) and butternut squash puree
- steamed apples (or pear) and butternut squash puree
- peas and butternut squash puree
- mashed avocado and butternut squash puree
- pureed butternut squash with rice or oatmeal porridge
- puree cooked squash with a some broth or cream and add seasonings of your choice
- zucchini and butternut squash puree.
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What temperature do you set the oven at for roasting?
If I want soft butternut squash – 380F, to get a caramelized, golden brown crust: 410-425F.