Butternut squelch can continue to ripen after being picked . Like other winter squash varieties , butternut squash undergoes a process cognize as cure , which allows the squash to recrudesce its full sapidity and sweet .
After harvesting butternut squash , it is important to heal them properly for optimal ripening . Curing involves allowing the squash to sit in a warm and dry surroundings for a period of time , typically around two weeks . During this metre , the squash ’s skin hardens and its starches exchange into sugars , result in a sweet and more flavorful squash .
To cure butternut squash , start by cutting the squash from the vine , leaving a short stem tie . It is authoritative to handle the squash rackets carefully to prevent any bruising or damage . Once reap , pose the squash vine in a ironic and well - give vent area , such as a service department or shed , where the temperature is around 80 ° F ( 27 ° coke ) . Avoid expose the squash racquets to unmediated sunshine , as this can cause spotty aging or premature spoilage .
During the cure cognitive process , the squash should be fan out out in a individual level , let melodic line to circularize around each individual squash . This help to prevent any moisture buildup that could lead to rotting . It is also of import to regularly inspect the squash rackets during curing and remove any fruits that show signs of decay or damage .
As the butternut squash cure , you may notice changes in its appearance . The skin will bit by bit alter from a pale tan or green color to a deeper , more halcyon chromaticity . to boot , the skin will become harder and more repellent to pressure . This is a good indication that the squash is ripening and developing its flavour .
After the curing period , the butternut squash can be store in a coolheaded and dry location , such as a basement or pantry . Properly cure and store butternut squash can last for several calendar month , supply a delicious and nutritious accession to your meal throughout the winter time of year .
In my personal experience , I have harvest butternut squash from my garden and allowed them to cure before ingest them . The flavor dispute between impertinently foot Juglans cinerea squash and properly cured squash is quite noticeable . The cure squash racquets had a sweet-scented and richer appreciation , make it a delightful factor in soups , stews , and roast vegetable dishes .
To summarise , butternut squash can ripen after being picked through the process of curing . heal involves set aside the squash to sit in a warm and dry environment for a dyad of weeks , during which starch convince into sugars and the squash develops its full flavor . Properly cured butternut squash can be salt away for months and render a tasty addition to winter meal .
Caroline Bates
