Season: July to December
Description: Butternut squash is an excellent source of vitamins A and C which are antioxidants that may reduce your risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Vitamin A helps maintain eye health. Vitamin C helps protect skin from bruising, helps heal cuts and keeps gums healthy. Eating foods with vitamin C boosts absorption of iron. Butternut squash also provides potassium, vitamin K, magnesium, fiber and folate. Potassium helps maintain healthy blood pressure, vitamin K and magnesium help build and maintain strong bones, and fiber helps control cholesterol and keeps bowel movements regular. Folate may reduce your risk of heart disease. Eating foods with folate before pregnancy helps lower the risk of delivering a baby with neural tube defects.
Selection: Select a squash that is heavy for its size, and has no soft spots, cracks or bruises.
Storing: Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 month. Once cut, refrigerate the unused portion within one week.
Nutrition Data: Nutrition data for Butternut Squash
