Cut the squash in half and cut off both ends. The squash should be able to stand flat on its end. Use a sharp chef’s knife with a smooth blade to shave off the outer peel. [2] X Research source Cut the butternut squash into cubes. For most purposes, 1-inch (2. 5-cm) cubes work best, but you can make the cubes larger or smaller as desired. Remove the seeds and pulp as you cube the squash.
Make sure that the pieces are spread out in a single layer and are not touching each other. The pieces of raw butternut squash should be frozen separately, but if they are stacked or touching, they will freeze together instead. If you do not have parchment paper, wax paper will also work well.
Leave 1/2-inch (1. 25-cm) empty headspace at the top of the container. As food freezes, it expands. The extra space allows the squash extra room to expand. [4] X Trustworthy Source National Center for Home Food Preservation Publicly-funded center dedicated to educating consumers about research-backed safety practices for preserving food Go to source Avoid using glass containers since glass is more likely to shatter in the freezer. If desired, you could also use resealable plastic bags as long as they are freezer safe. Mark the container with the current date so you will know, for future reference, how long the butternut squash has been in the freezer.
Frozen chunks of butternut squash can usually be used directly from the freezer, but you may also thaw them to reduce cooking time.
If you do not have any baking dishes that are large enough to fit two halves, you may need to use two separate dishes.
Remove the seeds and stringy pulp with a metal spoon, melon-baller, or metal ice cream scoop.
Remove from the oven and let cool, 30 to 60 minutes, or until it has cooled enough for you to touch the squash without burning your fingers.
If you are having a hard time peeling the skin off by hand, you can shave it off with the knife.
The cubes must be arranged in a single layer and should not be touching one another. Otherwise, the pieces of butternut squash may end up freezing together, making them more difficult to use.
You could also use freezer-safe plastic containers, but glass containers are not recommended since glass is more likely to break when frozen. Leave 1/2-inch (1. 25-cm) empty headspace at the top of the container to allow the butternut squash cubes room to expand. [7] X Trustworthy Source National Center for Home Food Preservation Publicly-funded center dedicated to educating consumers about research-backed safety practices for preserving food Go to source Label the bag or container with the current date so you will know how long the squash has been in your freezer later on.
Pre-cooked squash cubes are often easier to use straight from the freezer, without thawing them first, than raw squash cubes are. You can cook the squash in boiling water for 4-5 minutes or until it becomes tender. Then drain as much excess moisture from the squash pieces as possible. Put them in airtight containers. Date the containers or bags and keep them in the freezer.
Depending on the size of your cooking dish, you may need to cut the squash in half once more so that it will fit. Cutting the squash into quarters may also make it easier to remove the seeds. Scoop out the seeds and pulp. Use a metal spoon, melon-baller, or metal ice cream scooper to dig out the seeds and stringy pulp.
If you do not have a big enough dish to fit the entire squash, you may need to cook it in batches. Alternatively, you can cook the squash on the stove in a stockpot filled with boiling water for approximately twice as long.
If the squash is not soft enough, continue microwaving it for 3 to 5 minutes at a time until done. This process usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes total. [9] X Research source
If cooked enough, the squash should come out of its skin with relative ease. Let the squash cool slightly before you handle it to minimize the risk of burns. You may also want to hold the squash with an oven mitt or dish towel as you work.
You could also use a standard blender, hand mixer, or fork to puree the squash, but a hand blender is the most convenient and quickest tool to use.
Leave roughly 1/2-inch (1. 25-cm) of empty headspace so that the squash has room to expand as it freezes. [12] X Trustworthy Source National Center for Home Food Preservation Publicly-funded center dedicated to educating consumers about research-backed safety practices for preserving food Go to source This method is especially useful if you already know that you will need to use the squash in puree form. You could also use resealable plastic freezer bags instead of the plastic container. Ice cube trays with covers or ice cube trays covered in plastic wrap will also work well. Label the container or bag with the current date before placing it in the freezer.
