Description
Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata), also known in Australia and New Zealand as butternut pumpkin, and “Batana” in Sri Lanka is a type of winter squash. It has a sweet, nutty taste similar to that of a pumpkin. It has yellow skin and orange fleshy pulp. When ripe, it turns increasingly deep orange, and becomes sweeter and richer. It grows on a vine. The most popular variety, the Waltham Butternut
Although a fruit, butternut squash is used as a vegetable that can be roasted, toasted, puréed for soups, or mashed and used in casseroles, breads, and muffins.
In Australia it is regarded as a pumpkin, and is used interchangeably with other types of pumpkin.
Butternut squash finds common use in South Africa. It is often prepared as soup or grilled whole. Grilled butternut is typically seasoned with spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon, or stuffed (e.g. spinach and feta before wrapped in foil and then grilled). The grilled butternut is often served as a side dish to braais (barbecues) and the soup as a starter dish.
It is a good source of fiber, vitamin C, manganese, magnesium, and potassium. It is also an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin E.
