




Butternut Squash
Estimated Inventory, 35 lbs : 40.96
This item was last sold on : 02/07/25
Description/Taste
Butternut squash is medium to large in size and has a bell-like shape with a long neck attached to a bulbous end. The smooth skin is very thin, light tan, firm, and is connected to a light brown, rough stem. The long neck of the Butternut squash contains a solid orange, dense, and moist flesh and in the bulbous end, there is a small hollow seed cavity with stringy pulp and a few flat, cream-colored seeds. When cooked, the flesh of the Butternut squash becomes tender and offers a mild squash flavor with sweet and nutty nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Butternut squash is available year-round, with peak season in the fall through winter.
Current Facts
Butternut squash, botanically classified as Cucurbita moschata, is a winter squash that grows on a trailing vine and is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family along with gourds and pumpkins. A relatively new variety, the Butternut squash we know today is the result of years of crookneck squash breeding to produce a variety with a more compact size, straight-necked trait, and stackable capabilities. Butternut squash is one of the most popular modern varieties on the market today and is valued for its thin, edible skin, dense flesh, and small seed cavity that produces little waste in cooking. It is also classified as a fruit but is commonly prepared as a vegetable and can be used in a wide variety of culinary applications.
Nutritional Value
Butternut squash provides vitamins A, C, and E, manganese, potassium, iron, soluble fiber, and magnesium. Deep orange colored squashes such as the Butternut are also rich in beta-carotene.
Applications
Butternut squash is best suited for cooked applications such as roasting, toasting, steaming, sautéing, baking, braising, and grilling. It can be sliced into rounds, wedges, or cubes and added to curries, chili, soups, stews, risotto, a filling for tacos, enchiladas, empanadas, and ravioli. It can also be diced and used in lieu of potatoes in a hash or served atop pizza and flatbread. Butternut squash can be used in baked goods such as pies, bread, and muffins. The seeds of the squash are also popularly roasted, salted, and consumed as a snack food similar to pumpkin seeds. Butternut squash pairs well with sage, thyme, bay leaf, apple, cinnamon, pear, shallots, pecans, butter, cream, feta cheese, ground beef, sausage, and bacon. It will keep 1-2 months when stored in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Initially, straight neck winter squashes were not a preferred variety, and the lengthy, curvy winter crooknecks were the squash of choice. As the commercial shipping and distribution of squash in bulk increased in demand, the need for winter squash that was stackable and compact grew and inspired the development of modern Butternut varieties. This squash is also known for its thin skin, small seed cavity, and dense flesh which gives it the largest amount of flesh per dollar. The name of the original Butternut squash is believed to have come from the squash creator, Charles A. Leggett, who described the Butternut’s flavor as, “smooth as butter and sweet as a nut.” Today the farmland in Massachusetts where the original Butternut squash was developed is now a golf course aptly named, Butternut Farm Golf Club.
Geography/History
Early Butternut squashes were believed to have originated in the United States in the 1930’s as a natural outcrossing or mutation of the Canadian crookneck squash. These early Butternuts were problematic as the plants were not dependable in providing consistent production of straight necked squashes. As demand for compact, straight-necked squash increased and bulky crooknecks fell out of fashion, plant breeders worked hard to breed out these inconsistencies. One of the earliest known dependable Butternut varieties was believed to have been created by amateur breeder Charles A. Leggett around 1940, and after much experimentation in the garden, Leggett brought his squash to the Waltham Agricultural Experiment field station where the Waltham family helped to popularize his Butternut squash. Credit for the creation of this early Butternut variety is also given to Professor Robert E. Young of the Massachusetts College of Agriculture, who worked with the original squash from Leggett to create what would come to be known as the Waltham Butternut squash. Today Butternut squash is widely available in grocers and farmers markets in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
Wildland | Carlsbad CA | 619-385-0914 |
Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
Shore Rider | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5308 |
Rancho Bernardo Inn (Avant) | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
Javier Plascencia | Bonita CA | 619-295-3172 |
Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
Ciccia Osteria | San Diego CA | 619-674-4069 |
Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
Mission Ave Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-717-5899 |
KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
Adobo House | San Diego CA | 619-990-8340 |
The Crossings | Carlsbad CA | 760-444-1800 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
Red Door Friends | San Diego CA | 619-295-6000 |
Lafayette Hotel - Lou Lou's | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
Pete's Premade Paleo | San Diego CA | 770-359-8274 |
Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
Fay's Diner and Cafe | San Diego CA | 661-858-8895 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
College Cuisine - ZBT | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
Fox Point Farms (Haven) | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
San Diego Unified School- CCTE | San Diego CA | 619-884-3899 |
Knotty Barrel- Rancho | San Diego CA | 858-484-8758 |
Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Leichtag Foundation | Encinitas CA | 760-230-6772 |
Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
Pizzeria Luigi | San Diego CA | 610-539-7025 |
Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
Revolution Roasters | Oceanside CA | 760-330-6827 |
Burgeon Beer Co. | San Diego CA | 760-814-2548 |
US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
Paradise Point Resort Tidal | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 619-865-1918 |
Cardellino | San Diego CA | 619-722-3398 |
Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
Marys Gourmet Salads | La Jolla CA | 858-925-4690 |
Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
Echale | Encinitas CA | 303-210-2892 |
Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
Carolines Seaside Cafe | La Jolla CA | 619-646-1481 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
Higher Grounds Coffee + Cafe | San Diego CA | 831-247-5395 |
Amalfi Gourmet LLC | San Diego CA | 619-379-3099 |
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
Sheldons Service Station | La Mesa CA | 619-741-8577 |
California Culinary Arts Institute | San Diego CA | 858-868-1401 |
Primal Balance Nutrition LLC | Vista CA | 818-259-0995 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Pitchers | San Diego CA | 858-472-1251 |
Counterpoint | San Diego CA | 619-564-6722 |
Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Wolf In the Woods | San Diego CA | 619-851-7275 |
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
Town & Country San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-291-7131 |
The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Butternut Squash. One

