How to pick the best butternut squash at the store
While butternut squash is typically available all year round at the grocery store, it’s best in the early fall months and into the winter. Follow these tips the next time you’re picking a butternut squash at the grocery store:
- Pick it up and check the weight.
A butternut squash should feel pretty heavy for its size. Pick up a few that look similar and feel the difference between them—a lighter butternut squash may not be ripe enough yet.
- Look at the color and surface.
Butternut squash has a thick skin and starts out yellow or green and changes to beige when ripe. When choosing one at the store, be sure to select one with a creamy tan color. Light surface scratches are normal, but avoid choosing one with soft spots, bruises or cuts. Butternut squash should also have a matte finish. If it’s shiny, it means it was picked too early.
- Check out the stem.
Butternut squash should have a firm, dry stem. Any softness or mold growth may indicate that the squash is overripe.
- Look for longer necks and smaller bulbs.
While a longer neck doesn’t necessarily mean the quality of the squash is better, it will be easier to cut and peel. A “straighter” squash with a smaller bulb and fatter neck also means it has a smaller seed cavity and more meat to use in your favorite butternut squash recipe.
- Tap the sides.
Knock on the side of your squash and check to see if it sounds hollow inside. If so, then it’s ripe for the picking, literally. If it sounds dull, the squash could be spoiled or not ripe enough yet.
