Ways To Prepare And Cook Butternut Squash For Baby
ThrivingNest
Serve butternut squash steamed, roasted or boiled, as finger food for baby led weaning or pureed. Here are several ways to cook and give butternut squash to your 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 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
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. Cut into pieces (cubes, strips, or small sized half moon shapes).
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.
Have you tried any of these recipes? Your feedback is really helpful, please rate and leave a comment below recipe card!!