Claire Wright
Serves: 4
Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 15 mins
Ingredients:
1 butternut squash
More:
Cook a whole butternut squash in just 15 minutes for a quick, versatile side. Watch the video or follow the recipe below for step-by-step guidance.
Method:
Wash and scrub the butternut squash well, then pierce all over with a sharp paring knife, poking several holes all over the surface of the skin to prevent steam buildup, which can cause the squash to burst. (Don’t skip this step!)
Place the whole, pierced squash on a microwave-safe plate and cook on high power for about 12-18 mins, or until the squash is tender enough for a fork to easily slide into the flesh. Flip the squash after 5-7 mins to ensure even cooking, and start checking after 10 mins and every 1-2 mins after that until a knife slices easily all the way through to the middle of the squash. It should feel soft and tender.
Once tender, carefully remove it from the microwave, let it cool (it will be too hot to handle!), then cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, and use as desired. If it’s not fully cooked, you can put the bits that need more cooking back in the microwave for a few mins until done.
Some of our favourite ways to use 15-minute squash:
Engaging Kids
Kids who engage regularly with veg through veg-themed activities, such as arts and crafts, sensory experiences, growing and cooking are shown to be more likely to eat the veg they engage with. Encouraging kids to engage and play with veg is the handy first step to them developing a good relationship with veg and life-long healthy eating.
Kids in the kitchen
Kids will enjoy pushing the microwave buttons, and if you allow it to cool for long enough, they could even help you scoop out the flesh of the squash when cooked!
Activities
Got a kid who loves science? Try dropping one of the seeds from the squash into a glass of fizzy water, and watch it rise up and sink down again and again until the bubbles run out – the carbon dioxide bubbles bring the seed up to the top! You can find more at-home science fun with veg with our videos from Stefan Gates’ here.
Sensory
Explore what a whole and halved squash look and feel like. What can you see? Encourage your child to use their imagination and descriptive language. Try feeling the difference between the inside and outside of the squash with your hands, and how does it make your hands feel after touching the inside? Try touching the seeds and seeing what they remind you of.
Watch our video from Ruth Platt for a visual guide to exploring butternut squash with your senses here. Find more sensory ideas, tips and videos here. If you get stuck and need a little help with describing words, we have a selection for you here, too!
Serving
Next time you make this meal and want to give your child an extra opportunity to get involved and engaged before eating, why not ask them to create an orange coloured centrepiece for the table? Can they find all orange items that make for an attractive display to match the squash?
Find the best ways of involving your own child and their skills and interests on our Roles for Kids page.
Claire Wright
Claire has been working with children, food and communications for over 15 years, and is our Editor at Veg Power, helping translate expert advice into small, practical steps for busy families, and creating recipes that are actually simple.
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