BUTTERNUT SQUASH (PREORDER)

~20 lbs Butternut Squash aka "Butternut Pumpkin", "Hu-Tao-Nan-Gua", "胡桃南瓜" Butternut squash is a large hard-shell winter squash that grows on a vine. It has tan-yellow skin and elongated bell-shaped. The orange flesh contains a compartment of seeds in the blossom end. Butternut squash has a sweet, nutty taste similar to that of a pumpkin. Butternut squash is usually roasted with olive oil. Butternut squash is available year-round. Handling Tip Selection Butternut squash is firm and heavy for its size. The skin is smooth and dull with no soft spots, bruises, or brown patches. Shiny rind indicates an immature butternut squash. Butternut squash has a uniform beige color. Storage Butternut squash should be stored at 50°F - 55°F (10°C - 13°C) with a relative humidity of fifty to seventy percent and no mist. The typical shelf life is two to three months. Extremely low humidity may lead to excess weight loss and flesh deterioration. Butternut squash is not sensitive to ethylene, a naturally occurring gas that regulates ripening, and produces a low amount of ethylene. However, butternut squash with bruises and cuts greatly increases ethylene production. Butternut squash is sensitive to chilling injury at storage below 50°F (10°C). Symptoms include loss of flavor and sunken pits of the surface.