Why you Need to Eat Honeynut…Squash?!

Truth be told, the only ‘honey nut’ food item we had heard of, before a couple of weeks ago, was of the breakfast cereal variety. Luckily, one of our favorite organic produce stands at the farmers market added to our lexicon AND our playing with a new, rather cute food in the kitchen.

What exactly is honeynut squash?

Honeynut squash is the ‘child’ of butternut squash and buttercup squash. This crossbreeding gives it a flavor and shape akin to butternut squash, but it is sweeter and more the ‘pocket-size’ version of its parent. Perhaps think of honeynut squash as your own personal butternut squash.

Why you’ll want to eat it

It’s delicious. As mentioned above, it is sweeter than butternut squash- and spoiler alert! – even more so if roasted. And we haven’t even dove into why it’s great for your health yet…

What honeynut squash does for you nutritionally

As with most winter squashes, honeynut squash contains a high level of vitamin A and beta-carotene (which gives it the yellow-orange color). It’s also a wonderful source of minerals such as potassium, iron, copper, calcium and zinc. Known for helping with energy production, B vitamins are in good supply here in this squash too.

How to incorporate it

One of the best, and easiest ways to cook honeynut squash, just like butternut, is to roast it. Then you can turn it into caramelized cubes of golden-orange sweetness that can be added to a salad. It can also be added to pasta and even turned into a quick, blended soup.

Stay tuned! We’ll have an easy, delicious recipe for you coming up in the next few weeks.

Recipe: Butternut Squash + Apple Soup

I think we’re ready to admit: it’s autumn. A chill in the air, crunchy leaves underfoot, and the season’s bountiful harvest all point to one mission – making one of our favorite soups. Grab some squash from your farmers’ market or from your backyard and we’ll begin!

Too tiny to use but oh-so-cute!

Prep & cook time: 30 min
Servings: about 8
Ingredients
3-4 tablespoons high-quality butter or olive oil (for a dairy-free option)
4 lbs butternut squash, roasted (average butternut squash weighs 2-3lbs so plan accordingly)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 apples, chopped
1/2 cup water or vegetable broth
3/4 tsp cinnamon
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup pumpkin seeds (topping)

Instructions
Roast butternut squash first. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, cut squash open lengthwise and remove seeds. Place squash upside-down on baking sheet and pour about 1/2 cup water on the bottom of baking sheet (or enough so it surrounds squash and helps to steam it). Roast 25-30 minutes, until flesh is fork-tender.

Meanwhile, melt butter/olive oil in pot over medium heat. Add onion and saute until tender (about 8 minutes). Add the roasted squash, apples, and water/vegetable broth. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add cinnamon and turn off burner to cool food slightly. Then, in small batches, transfer mixture from pot to a high-speed blender and puree until smooth. If too thick, add more liquid. Season with salt & pepper, transfer to serving bowl and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds. Optional: serve with blue corn chips or whole grain crackers.