Friday, October 20, 2023

Butternut Squash Bread!

Butternut Squash Bread
(File Photo)

Butternut Squash Bread! What a delicious dessert!  Yes, I did write Butternut Squash. For years- that has led to decades- I have been using this veggie instead of pumpkin when preparing this dessert bread.  It is so yummy that you may just want to enjoy a half slice as a snack! 

Lately, the amount of Butternuts in the bushel container in our garage has been reduced.

The Bushel of Butternut Squash
Many of the squash have been cooked/ mashed.  Labeled freezer bags of this orange veggie are on their designated freezer shelf.  This weekend the remaining squash will be prepared and more bags will be frozen.   

One delicious treat that is made using the mashed Butternut Squash is Butternut Squash Bread.  Usually I bake 2 breads at once, so I double the recipe and stagger the pans in the oven before/ when baking.  This weekend I will be using the freshly mashed Butternut Squash when baking these breads.  

During the year I defrost a bag containing 2 cups to bake 2 breads.  The Butternut Squash will defrost overnight in the fridge.    

This dessert bread is very easy to prepare!  While it is baking the aroma of Cinnamon and Nutmeg will float from your kitchen to other rooms in your home.  A small amount of Ground Cloves can be added to the batter, too.  It is also at this time of year that one of the 2 breads that I bake will be placed in our freezer to enjoy over Thanksgiving.  If you will also be doing this, after the bread cools, wrap in heavy duty foil, label and freeze.

I use Egg Whites in this recipe. 
Remember- when baking:

***
2 Egg Whites = 1 Whole Egg

With the current price of Eggs, you may want to use  2 Egg Whites + 1 Whole Egg for 1 bread. 
When baking that would equal or be the same as using 4 Egg Whites.    
 

Click here for my recipe for Butternut Squash Bread!  It is a family favorite in my home and it just may become a favorite for you and your family, too!

Enjoy!
Yummy!


                

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Freezing Butternut Squash!

Preparing Butternut Squash
for the freezer!
(File Photo)

It's that time of year!  The new "buy local" crop of Butternut Squash is available in October!  This yummy orange veggie is a great side dish at dinner and we have always enjoyed it!  For that reason we purchase a bushel of Butternut Squash at one of the local farms and prep the squash to freeze.  Yes, they can be purchased individually and sold by the pound at roadside stands and grocery stores, but we purchase a bushel and store it in our garage.  Then, a new project is added to our "to do" list.  Preparing the squash for the freezer.  

In addition to enjoying this vegetable as a delicious side dish at dinner, I use the prepared/ cooked/ mashed Butternut Squash in recipes by replacing it for canned pumpkin.  It works so well!  More on that later.   

The process for prepping and freezing the squash is quite simple.  After the individual squash are washed under cool running water, dry them.  Then, remove the stem, seeds and skin.  Cut into chunks and steam.  There is more to the process, so click here for my process/ recipe.  It works very well and before you know it you will have this tasty vegetable in your freezer, too!

Freezing Butternut Squash 

It will be in your freezer ready to take out whenever you want this tasty veggie to be included with your dinner or you will be using it in baking a treat.  The frozen Butternut Squash is defrosted in the microwave very easily!  Or it can be defrosted overnight in your fridge!

Enjoy!
Yummy!


 

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp

Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp
(File Photo)
My dessert is currently baking in my oven.

Today was the day! The day to bake a Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp!  The dessert that has fresh apple slices that are baked with an oat topping that also contains Cinnamon and Nutmeg.  Nothing beats enjoying this dessert when it is prepared with fresh apples.  In Autumn I use McIntosh or Cortland apples or a combination of the two.  Craisins (dried cranberries) and raisins are placed in the baking dish along with the apple slices.  

When this dessert is baking the wonderful aroma of apples, Cinnamon and Nutmeg float through our home.  It is a teaser of how great it will taste- later.  

You are one click away from my recipe.  Click here!

Bake a Craisin Raisin Apple Crisp soon.  Do not forget to purchase the vanilla ice cream.  A small scoop tastes so good on top.

Enjoy!
Yummy!