You’re Not Eating Enough of This Sweet Little Buttercup Squash

If buttercup squash isn't on your radar yet, it should be. Here's everything you need to know about what it is, where to find it, and how to prepare it.

This fall, turn your attention to a sweet little vegetable you haven’t been showing enough love: the buttercup squash. It’s similar in size and shape to a small pumpkin but has a green exterior that may remind you of an acorn squash. You can find it at large grocery stores and farmers markets everywhere. And it should definitely be on your list of fall veggies to enjoy.

(Have you met butternut squash’s cute new cousin?)

What does buttercup squash taste like?

The buttercup squash—sometimes called a turban squash—is a variety of winter squash, but its peak season starts in early fall and lasts through the winter. It has an orange flesh that is typically described as sweet and creamy.

Make sure you capitalize on this sweet squash by choosing one that’s ripe. If the cap on the squash is firm, it’s ready to eat. If it’s soft, it’s likely past it’s prime. This being said, if you find a good one, you can store it in a cool dry place for a month or two!

It’s easy to prepare

Preparing the squash is simple. Cut a ripened squash in half, straight through the stem. With a spoon, scoop out the seeds. (Roast them for a delicious treat.) Then cook!

You can easily substitute buttercup for any winter squash, such as delicata, as long as you steam or stew it to bring out the moisture. Otherwise, it can taste dry. Roasting it in the oven is another good alternative, and if you have time to remove the skin from the squash, you can boil it to bring out the moisture as well.

In general, squash makes a hearty, creamy base for soup, and buttercup squash is no exception. It’s also a great substitute for sweet potatoes, so if you have a cozy sweet potato dish you love, try swapping in buttercup squash.

This veggie is a great staple for tasty meals in the cooler months, and it has some excellent health benefits as well; it’s loaded with fiber and vitamins, so you can enjoy it guilt-free all fall and winter.

Try buttercup in these cozy winter squash recipes.

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Julia Mullaney
Julia Mullaney is a writer, blogger and self-proclaimed macaroni and cheese connoisseur based in New Jersey. She is currently a health & fitness writer for Cheat Sheet and previously worked as the editorial manager of Edible Jersey Magazine. Her work has been published in Rachael Ray Every Day, Art Quench, RMagazine and Edible Jersey. She is the author of Man, you can Cook!, a cookbook full of simple recipes for men who consider the kitchen to be uncharted land. In her spare time, she also runs a food blog full of original, easy recipes. Chow down at simplydeliciousblog.com or on Instagram at @simplydeliciousblogger.