Paleo Foods: Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is a beloved winter squash -- they're one of the sweetest varieties of winter squash, and and they have a slightly nutty taste, similar to that of pumpkin. Butternut squash is a good source of Vitamin A (the pre-Vitamin A form), Vitamin C, minerals and carbohydrate.

The shape of a butternut squash makes it slightly difficult to cut. One of the easier ways to cut and dice a butternut squash is to cut it in half with a large knife and a steady hand, scoop out the seeds, peel the exterior skin and dice into cubes.

Butternut squash can be a less starchy alternative to a sweet potato. Substituting potatoes for butternut squash in a soup or stew, casserole or a batch of fries can be a good option for low-carbers.

Nutrition Details

Macros in Context

Here's how 1 cup of butternut squash stacks up in the context of a typical Paleo meal:

Blue bars show the typical range in grams for a Paleo meal. For example, a Paleo meal usually includes 30-60 grams of fat, but where you personally fall in that range will depend on your preference.

Orange dots show how 1 cup of butternut squash fits into the typical nutrient profile of a Paleo meal.

Buy It

• FRUIT OR VEGETABLE: A butternut squash is actually a fruit! However, in day-to-day life, it's lumped into the starchy vegetable category.
• SEASON: Peak harvest for butternut squash are the fall and winter seasons.
• TASTE: When ripe, the flesh of a butternut squash turns deep orange, and tastes even more sweet.

Cook It

Recipe Ideas

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash And Apple Soup

Butternut Squash Fries

Roasted Butternut Squash And Turnips

Butternut Squash Soup