Storing Winter Squash – Tried and True Methods needed ASAP!

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  • November 11, 2011 at 5:13 am
    blue j
    Participant

    I came home to a LARGE quantity of various kinds of squash in my kitchen.  I would can them, but I am burnt out in that area, AND I don’t have enough jars (if I had the jars, I would force myself to do it no matter).  We’ve already purchased well over 20 dozen jars this canning season, and I just can not squeeze another 7 dozen or more out of the budget at this point.  Does anyone have any tried and true methods for keeping winter squash more than a month? I really need these to last about 3 months total – or we will need to have squash at least 2 x’s a week for the next month – there are really that many in my kitchen as I type.  I have long neck butternut, acorn, and spaghetti.  The butternut I have kept for a couple of months, but never more than that without issue.  I am all ears for suggestions.

    November 11, 2011 at 8:44 am
    Kristen
    Participant

    I keep mine in the basement were it is dark and cool and they last for several months.  I keep an eye on them and if one starts to spoil I use it as soon as I can.  The ones that I wouldn’t be able to keep, I bake in oven til done and then scoop out and cook some more on stove top to mash good.  (I don’t use the blender or anything, because I hate washing it!) Then I put it in freezer bags, 2 cups each.  Tedious, but I hate to throw out perfectly good food.

    November 11, 2011 at 12:47 pm
    Rachel White
    Participant

    yes, either store them in a cool, dark place; rotating periodically and checking for spoilage. Other than that, you cook and puree in amounts needed for a recipe and freeze. I always puree in 1 cup portions. You could cut into chunks, too instead of puree, for mashed squash at a later date.

    You’re not supposed to can winter squash, or at least not pueed squash; only chunky squash, but I’ve never bothered.

    Rachel

    November 12, 2011 at 12:57 am
    blue j
    Participant

    Thanks, ladies.  The girls and I found a darker corner than the area where we had tried storing them.  I didn’t really think about the sun that was able to reach them from the basement window for some reason.  I’m sure that is at least part of why we had the issues in the past.  Hopefully the new location will suit them and they will ALL keep fairly well. 🙂

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