Health Benefits of Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is a type of winter squash with pale orange skin and a bright orange interior. Both the skin and the pulp are hard and firm, and have the shape almost of an elongated pear. Like pumpkins and zucchini, butternut squash is a member of the cucurbit family.
Pumpkin is among the oldest known crops, dating back 10,000 years in Mexico and Central America. The name pumpkin comes from the Native American word askutasquash, which means raw or eaten raw.
The flavor of the pumpkin is quite mild, a little sweet and a little nutty. Its flavor may remind you of a cross between a sweet potato and a carrot or turnip.
Nutritional profile
A serving of squash is 1 cup. Without adding anything, he has:
• 63 calories
• 0 grams of fat
• 16 grams of carbohydrates
• 2.8 grams of dietary fiber
• 3 grams of sugar
• 1.4 grams of protein
• 6 milligrams of sodium
For vitamins and nutrients, one serving of butternut squash is packed with:
over 100% of the daily requirement of vitamin A
Almost 40% of the daily requirement of vitamin C
About 15% of the daily magnesium requirement
About 18% of the daily potassium requirement
About 5% of the daily calcium requirement
It can help blood pressure. Butternut squash is high in potassium, which can help keep blood pressure in check. Blood pressure management can reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.
Its fiber helps with blood sugar. Butternut squash contains a non-digestible type of fiber. If you have diabetes, it can help keep your blood sugar from rising after eating. Butternut squash also has a low glycemic index, which means its carbohydrates are digested more slowly. This also helps keep blood sugar from rising.
How To Peel Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is known for its thick, hard skin. Peeling it can be a nice arm workout, but there are a few ways to make it easier:
Cut a thin slice from the bottom and top so that the squash lies flat on a cutting board. Then use a knife or peeler to cut the skin from top to bottom. Always cut away from your body.
If the skin is too tough to handle, prick the squash a couple of times with a fork and place it in the microwave for a minute or two. This will soften the skin and make it easier to peel.
Cut it in half and bake the pumpkin with the skin. It will come off easily once cooked.
How to cook butternut squash
After peeling it, it’s time to prepare the pumpkin. Cut it in half lengthwise and remove the seeds with a spoon. You can throw them away or lay them out on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven, just like you would with pumpkin seeds.
There are so many delicious ways to eat pumpkin. Here are four to get you started.
Boil: Cut the pumpkin into cubes and boil them until soft.
Roasting: Cut the pumpkin into cubes, spread the cubes on a baking sheet, drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Then roast in the oven until cooked.
Puree: Do one of the above. Then mash the pumpkin with a fork or potato masher.
