How To Store Your Butternut Squash So It Lasts Through The Winter

There's nothing cozier than a piping hot bowl of creamy homemade butternut squash soup enjoyed on a chilly winter evening. If you have been growing your own winter squash plants this past year — specifically butternut squash — and want to harvest and correctly store them to use throughout the winter, there are a few key things you should know about this process. Depending on how and when you want to use your butternut squash, you can cure it, store it in your refrigerator or at room temperature, or freeze-dry it for extra-long preservation. Each method will depend on how long you want your squash to stay edible, or how quickly you plan to use it. 

In order to properly store your butternut squash, you'll want to harvest the squash correctly. These botanical fruits are usually ready by late fall or early winter, depending on when you originally planted them. Always harvest squash before the first frost. If the stem is brown and you are unable to pierce the skin with a fingernail, the squash is ready to pick. Next, you can move on to curing and storing them.

It's recommended to cure your butternut squash before storing it to improve its storage life. If you intend on cooking it right away, you don't need to complete the curing process; however, it is always recommended, as it improves the flavor of many varieties. In order to cure the squash, you'll need a dry spot with a temperature ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay out your squashes in a single layer, and leave them to cure for about seven to 10 days, making sure to rotate them to cure fully. This will help toughen the skin; you can tell a squash is cured by its hard rind and uniform tan color.

After curing, choose your preferred method of storage. You can store cured butternut squash in your fridge or cool cellar, which will last up to about six months. If you keep them at room temperature, you can expect the squash to last about three months. For extra-long storage — as long as eight months — you can peel, cut, de-seed, and dice your squash and place it into glass or plastic containers in the freezer. 

You can also dehydrate the produce, which can keep for two years, or freeze-dry it at home, which can last up to a whopping 25 years. No matter how you choose to prepare your butternut squash, you have a wide range of options when it comes to storing your produce to use throughout the winter.