I have found many people around me confused about the Squash classification; a few wonder if it is a bright-colored fruit, while others think it is a mild and savory taste vegetable. It has become hard to decide which category of the food pyramid it belongs to.
After extensive research, I found that Squash is a health-giving bright-colored fruit that is a source of vitamins, minerals, and fibers. Technically, butternut squash is a fruit that grows on a vine. It is an oval-shaped, long, bell-bottom fruit with a yellow-orange; the inside is seedy and orange flesh, but the outside is hard outer skin.
Let’s walk through this article to understand why this fruit is taken as a vegetable. In addition, its side effects and benefits are also discussed here, so to know all about this Butter Squash, you can read it till the end.
Key Takeaway:
- In most places, Squash is available year-round.
- According to botanical definitions, Squash is a fruit with seeds that grows from a plant’s flowering portion.
- Although technically, Squash is a fruit but most often prepared as a vegetable.
- Squash can be consumed in multiple ways – you can even eat the entire plant, the flesh, skin, leaves, flowers, seed, etc.
- Squash is usually served as a savory component along with other vegetables.
- Winter squash is often served as an addition to vegetable dishes and soups, whereas summer squash is primarily used in baked items and as an alternative to low-carb noodles. Squash lovers often prefer to eat it stuffed with other foods – the Squash combo feels so delicious.
Butternut Squash: What Mystery Is It?
Squash fruit-vegetable confusion is genuine as it offers both features in different ways. But beyond this confusion, Squash is a power-packed plant that offers countless health benefits, particularly the yellow variety of summer squash. The summer squash is high in B6, folate, fiber, vitamins A and C, riboflavin, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.
Since yellow Squash is rich in manganese minerals, it helps the body’s ability to process carbohydrates and fats; additionally, it boosts bones’ strength. You can enjoy the vibrantly colored squash vegetable and its smooth texture by braising it with basil – a smothered yellow squash.
Let’s dive into the discussion to finalize the Butternut Squash classification.
Botanically, Butter Squash Is A Fruit
Squash belongs to the plant family that is available in various types – its winter varieties include acorn, delicata, butternut, Hubbard, pumpkin spaghetti squash, and kabocha. At the same time, summer squash includes Zucchini and yellow Squash — either with straight or crooked necks.
All varieties of Squash have seeds and are derived from plant flowers. In fact, Squash produces edible blooms that are referred to as “squash blossoms.”
Fruits grow from a plant’s blooms and contain seeds. Vegetables, on the other hand, are a plant’s stems, leaves, or roots. However, many people don’t agree with this botanical classification to distinguish fruits and vegetables.
But this classification regards Squash as a fruit!
Not only Squash but many other plants Tomatoes, eggplants, avocados, and cucumbers, are considered vegetables, but they are fruits.
Used As A Vegetable In Cooking
A fruit is the sweet and fleshy portion of a plant used in cooking. Even though some varieties of Squash have a moderate sweetness, they are not as sweet as a regular fruit. Instead, Squash is prepared and served as a vegetable because of its primarily earthy flavor, except for some varieties like pumpkin that are used in baked goods like pies.
Unlike fruit, Squash is typically not consumed uncooked, particularly Zucchini and yellow summer squash. Squash is commonly prepared as a vegetable, so most people think of it that way.
Nutritional Benefits Of Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is an oval-shaped plant that has yellow-orange skin. There are numerous healthy butternut squash dishes, such as butternut, cinnamon oats, and butternut biryani with cucumber raita are very famous.
An 80g (baked) serving contains:
- 0.7g protein
- 26 Kcal/110 KJ
- 0.1g fat
- 1.5g fiber
- 224 mg potassium
- 5.9g carbohydrate
- 12mg vitamin C
How To Add It To Your Diet: Quick Ideas
Since Squash comes in different types – each type brings different packed nutrients and fun as you can consume them in various ways.
Summer Butternut Squash
Summer squash – Zucchini and crookneck – have green and yellow skin with flesh. These types are typically in hot months – from June through September. Zucchini and yellow crookneck squash are generally roasted, sauteed, or grilled with garlic and olive oil and added to sweet bread and muffins. Since these squashes can be spiralized, they have become an excellent replacement for low-carb noodles.
Winter Butternut Squash
Winter squashes — such as Hubbard, acorn, butternut, delicata, and pumpkin — are available in abundant quantities from early fall to late spring. These squashes are typically yellow, green, or orange from the outside. The inside bright colored flesh appears in different shades of orange and yellow. Winter squash is often boiled, roasted, or steamed; sometimes, it is served with olive oil, butter, and savory seasonings.
Cooked winter squash can also be used in salads and soups to enhance the taste, aroma, color, and nutrients. Many winter squash lovers use delicata, acorn, or Hubbard squashes stuffed with beans, meats, and other vegetables. Every part of the Squash – skin, flesh, and seed can be consumed, so winter squash’s seeds can be roasted with salt and oil for a crunchy snack – your family gets no chance to say no to these tasteful additions of dishes.
All types of Squash – winter and summer are very nutritious and healthy; besides adding the taste, they can add high-value nutrition content to your servings. Winter butternut squashes are high in vitamin A, fiber, and potassium, while summer squashes are great in vitamins C and B, which really improve your Healthline.
Top Health Benefits Of Butternut Squash
Butternut Squash, without any doubt, is a nutrition-packed fruit that offers multiple benefits, even one serving. Below we have discussed the top five benefits of Butternut Squash that you can read to explore its constant wonders,
1. Support Eye Health
Butternut squash is a rich source of phytonutrients, such as zeaxanthin and lutein, that help to protect eye health and healthy cell renewal.
Some phytonutrients prevent damage to cells throughout the human body, while many phytonutrients reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, cancer, heart disease, strokes, etc.
2. Boost The Immune System
Since butternut squash contains Beta-carotene, it supports the immune system’s natural function and prevents infections. Actually, butternut’s Beta-carotene serves as an antioxidant that prevents the body from free radicals through oxidation.
Similarly, Butternut Squash also contains Vitamin A that serves in normal vision, reproduction, immune system, growth, and development. It also helps the lungs, heart, and other organs work properly.
3. Improve Bone Health
Butternut squash is a diversified diet full of fruits and vegetables that can lower the probability of osteoporosis. Squash is a bone-loving vegetable with all the favorable nutrients required for bone growth.
A 2016 study revealed that Squash contains beta-carotene, vitamin C, zinc, and sodium that are favorable for postmenopausal women’s healthy bone mass.
4. Support Digestion
An adult is recommended to take a 7% fiber intake; the 100g of butternut squash is equipped with 2g of fiber – so many needs are fulfilled. Fiber increases digestion prevents constipation and lowers the risk of heart disease, bowel cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
5. Aid In Weight Management
Butternut is high in fiber and low in calories – features a calming, sweet flavor that may help control appetite.
In addition, Squash is also effective in the following sufferings.
- Gallbladder disease
- Hemorrhoids
- Skin diseases and infections
- Constipation
- Cancer
- Infections
- Other such conditions
Butternut Squash cannot cure these diseases, but it helps in the quick and safe cure while you are on medication.
Is Squash Safe For Everyone To Eat?
For most of us, butternut squash is a nutrient-dense vegetable, possibly safe for most consumers, but it can cause irritation in the stomach and intestines. In some cases, it can cause diarrhea.
However, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitor users may be recommended to limit their use of potassium-rich foods like butternut squash. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding a child, it is unsafe to consume large quantities of butternut because it can overstimulate the bowels. So avoid it during such conditions!
Despite the rarity of butternut squash allergies, however, if the case happens, you can contact dermatitis and seek advice from your doctor or a trained dietician if you are worried or have questions.
Our Summary
So, in the end, I can conclude that all varieties of Squash are considered fruits by botanists because they produce flowers and contain seeds. However, Squashes are not as sweet as other fruits, and they are typically prepared and eaten like vegetables, with notable exceptions like pumpkin.
Butternut Squash is versatile as it can quickly add savory and sweet vegetables. Whatever the classification is, Squash is a literally delicious and nourishing addition to your daily diet.