Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Gratin Recipe - Pinch My Salt (2024)

FAQs

Which is sweeter butternut squash or sweet potato? ›

Sweet potatoes are about double calories, carbs, and sugar per serving than butternut squash. That being said, it does have more fiber and protein than butternut squash. Both are excellent choices, especially during the fall months when they are in season.

You Say Potato, We Say Butternut

We've lightened up the holiday staple, swapping out sweet potatoes for less-carby butternut squash. The taste is right on the money, and our new-and-improved recipe is low in calories and healthier than ever.

Butternut squash is often thought to be a starchy vegetable but you can see that it's not quite as high in starch as a potato. This makes butternut squash a great option for those on a lower carb diet who still want to get the flavor of a starchier root vegetable.

For a basic butternut squash recipe, halve the squash, scoop out the seeds and chop into chunks. You don't have to remove the skin — it will go soft and sweet as the squash cooks — just make sure you wash it well before cooking. Roast at 180°C for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden and soft.

Nguyen said that people with diabetes can "confidently" eat butternut squash and sweet potato interchangeably, "as per their individual needs of carbohydrate intake." However, when in doubt, always consult with your doctor (and moderation is key).

Butternut squash is a low-calorie food and is packed with nutrients. While it's higher in carbs than some other veggies, its low glycemic index (a ranking of how carbs affect blood sugar) still makes it a healthy choice for most people.

To begin with, the butternut squash beats the sweet potato with fewer calories, carbs and sugar per serving. Moreover, it is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B6 and E. On the other hand, the sweet potato, however, provides more fiber and protein.

When is butternut squash in season? Butternut squash are harvested in late summer and autumn, but because they keep so well, they can be found all year round.

As for nutrition, a cup of cooked cubed butternut squash has just 80 calories, 22 grams of carbs, and 4 grams of sugars, and supplies an impressive array of nutrients.

For example, compared to butternut squash, one cup of spaghetti squash has just 1/100 the amount of beta-carotene, a plant compound the body converts to vitamin A and uses to protect our eye health and immune system. And it contains just 1/3 the amount of fiber, folate and potassium.

Is butternut squash a starch or a vegetable? ›

Starchy vegetables as their name implies have more starch, but they still have a lot of nutrients. Common starchy vegetables are potatoes, corn, peas, and winter squash (acorn or butternut). We need some carbs to keep our body fueled, and a great way to get your carbs in is by eating more vegetables.

Butternut squash contains a type of fiber that's not digestible. If you have diabetes, it can help keep your blood sugar from rising after eating. Butternut squash also has a low glycemic index, which means that its carbs are digested more slowly. This also helps keep blood sugar from rising.

In a large bowl mix the cubed squash, garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes until tender all the way through.

Halve butternut squash lengthwise; scoop out seeds. Place cut sides up in a roasting pan (to help it sit level, slice a thin strip from skin sides). Fill each cavity with butter and pure maple syrup; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Roast until fork-tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Microwaving the squash will make it much easier to peel. Simply slice off the top and bottom, poke the squash all over with a fork and microwave it on high for about 3 minutes. When it's cool enough to handle, peel the squash. The softened flesh will make peeling (and slicing) way easier.

The mustard color flesh of the kabocha squash is very sweet and rich tast-ing. Its texture is floury dry, like a balance between a sweet potato and a pumpkin. It has the highest sugar content of any squash, and is excellent baked as a side dish or stuffed. The hubbard squash has a very sweet, dry orange flesh.

Butternut Squash is almost exactly the same as Sweet Potato except Butternut Squash is better in every way. As far as I can tell: It's better nutritionally. It has a more subtle flavor. It seems to be more versatile.

If you cube and eat them on their own you notice things like butternut squash is sweeter and other types have more stringy fibre. However, if you use them in recipes the difference is less noticeable. The fibers of acorn squash disapear when blended.