




Butternut Squash
Estimated Inventory, 35 lbs : 54.69
This item was last sold on : 02/15/25
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.
Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
Knotty Barrel- Rancho | San Diego CA | 858-484-8758 |
Seneca | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
Pitchers | San Diego CA | 858-472-1251 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
Revolution Roasters | Oceanside CA | 760-330-6827 |
Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
Rancho Bernardo Inn (Avant) | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
The Remy | San Diego CA | 619-886-1358 |
Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
Echale | Encinitas CA | 303-210-2892 |
Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
Amalfi Gourmet LLC | San Diego CA | 619-379-3099 |
Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
Fox Point Farms (Haven) | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
Higher Grounds Coffee + Cafe | San Diego CA | 831-247-5395 |
Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
Carolines Seaside Cafe | La Jolla CA | 619-646-1481 |
Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Lafayette Hotel - Lou Lou's | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
Bar Same Same (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-470-9143 |
264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
Sheldons Service Station | La Mesa CA | 619-741-8577 |
Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
Fresco Cocina | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
Alexander's on 30th | San Diego CA | 858-774-3062 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
Marys Gourmet Salads | La Jolla CA | 858-925-4690 |
Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
Shoreside Support Boat | San Diego CA | 704-277-7929 |
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Ciccia Osteria | San Diego CA | 619-674-4069 |
Wildland | Carlsbad CA | 619-385-0914 |
Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
The Crossings | Carlsbad CA | 760-444-1800 |
Counterpoint | San Diego CA | 619-564-6722 |
Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
Pizzeria Luigi | San Diego CA | 610-539-7025 |
Burgeon Beer Co. | San Diego CA | 760-814-2548 |
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
Town & Country San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-291-7131 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
California Culinary Arts Institute | San Diego CA | 858-868-1401 |
Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
Paradise Point Resort Tidal | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
Cardellino | San Diego CA | 619-722-3398 |
Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Candor | La Jolla CA | 858-581-2205 |
Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Shore Rider | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5308 |
Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
Pete's Premade Paleo | San Diego CA | 770-359-8274 |
The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza | Oceanside CA | 760-310-1535 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
The Smoking Goat | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
College Cuisine - ZBT | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
Adobo House | San Diego CA | 619-990-8340 |
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
Primal Balance Nutrition LLC | Vista CA | 818-259-0995 |
San Diego Unified School- CCTE | San Diego CA | 619-884-3899 |
Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
Red Door Friends | San Diego CA | 619-295-6000 |
Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 619-865-1918 |
Leichtag Foundation | Encinitas CA | 760-230-6772 |
Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Butternut Squash. One

