How to Freeze Butternut Squash Sustainably (3 Ways, No Plastic)

Freezing is a great way to ensure you always have your favorite foods nearby when you crave them. Check out how to freeze butternut squash to enjoy this fall favorite year-round.

Butternut squash is an excellent addition to many recipes, but it can be tough to find out of season. Instead, learn to freeze it in advance so you can use it all year round. Read on to learn how to freeze this classic autumnal food in three easy ways.

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Zero Plastic Freeze-Safe Containers

For each of these freezing methods, you’ll need freezer-safe containers. The following options are great alternatives to single-use plastic bags.

• Glass jars (particularly good for purée)
• Metal or glass reusable containers
• Wax paper
• Cotton bags (best if you are planning to freeze for only a few weeks)
• Waxed cartons

1. Freeze Raw Squash

Follow this method to freeze raw butternut squash and save it for later.

Materials:

• Butternut squash
• Cutting board
• Knife or peeler
• Cookie trays that fit inside the freezer
• Freezer-safe containers

Instructions:

1. Cut the butternut squash in half and remove seeds and innards.
2. Use a peeler or remove the skin with your knife as you cut the squash into cubes.
3. Place the cubes in a single layer onto the cookie sheets and place them into the freezer. 
4. Keep them inside the freezer until they are frozen all the way through, about 30 minutes. This is known as a flash freeze. 
5. Once completely frozen, place the squash into the freezer-safe containers and put it back into the freezer. You can freeze squash for up to one year in the freezer. Pop them directly into your recipes from the freezer, no thawing necessary. 

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2. Freeze Butternut Squash Purée

Follow this method to freeze squash you’ve already cooked.

Materials:

• Cooked butternut squash
• Food processor or masher
• Spoon
• Freezer-safe containers

Instructions:

1. If you have already cooked your butternut squash and want to freeze it, pop the pieces into a food processor, or use a masher to purée the squash. 
2. Once puréed, divide the purée into your freezer-safe containers and place in the freezer until completely frozen, about 30 minutes.
3. Frozen butternut squash purée can be frozen for up to 3 months and must be adequately thawed before adding to recipes.

3. Freeze Cooked Butternut Squash

If you have already cooked your squash and have it in cubes, follow this method. It’s similar to freezing raw butternut squash.

Materials:

• Cubed butternut squash
• Cookie trays that fit inside the freezer
• Freezer-safe containers

Instructions:

1. Place the cubes in a single layer onto the cookie sheets and place them into the freezer. 
2. Keep them inside the freezer until they are frozen all the way through, about 30 minutes. 
3. Once completely frozen, place the squash into the freezer-safe containers and put it back into the freezer. You can freeze cooked squash for up to three months in the freezer. Thaw the squash before you cook with them.

How to Use Frozen Butternut Squash

Squash is a versatile ingredient that you can use in both sweet and savory dishes.

• Keep it simple with oven roasted butternut squash
• Blend the purée into a vegan winter squash soup
• Swap pumpkin for squash in this vegan pumpkin cheesecake recipe
• Use it as a substitute for avocado on sandwiches
• Mix with pumpkin to add a richer element to this vegan pumpkin gnocchi

Read on:

• Winter Squash Varieties and How to Use Them
• Can You Eat Pumpkin Skin? Hokkaido, Butternut Squash, and More 
• Freeze Foods Without Plastic: 6 Sustainable Household Hacks

Tags: Fall Food Freezing Guide Recipes