Butternut Squash- Not a Bean, But Still Beautiful

In addition to the snap beans, we are also growing another of my favorite vegetables:



You can see part of the trellising system I rigged up with leftover bamboo stakes from peas. Keeping the fruits off of the ground (and away from puddles that might accumulate during the rain) is one of the most important factors to getting a good harvest of butternut squash. Make the trellis larger than you really think you need- the vines get adventurous and like to wander. Plant several seeds (in little hills) and let them all grow. Soon enough, the less hardy ones will commit hara-kiri without your interference (don't believe me- try it and see!). Cross pollination is required for fruit setting, so having multiple vines growing at once in the same area is pretty much a necessity.

Butternut squash conjures up happy childhood memories for me of big holiday dinners with the family. I'm not sure why, but mashed potatoes was not a big thing at our house. We roasted potatoes and mashed the butternut squash. So delicious! Simply peel the skin, slice it in half and remove the seeds, and then cube the delicious squash meat. I've heard of people successfully steaming butternut squash cubes before mashing, but when I tried it came out muy mushy. Instead, I boil the cubes until they are fork-tender, drain in a colander and then return to the pot. Then I add 1/2 a stick of butter (so wrong, yet so right!), a tsp or so each of cinnamon and allspice, and salt to taste. If you're really adventurous, feel free to add chopped walnuts or pecans. Stir with a wooden spoon until the consistency seems right to you, and then voila! You have a lovely side dish to rival mashed potatoes.

How do you like your butternut squash? Let's share some ideas!