Apple and Butternut Squash Baby Food Recipe

I discovered a new flavor! It was butternut squash with apples. I have tasted apples before, but I had no idea butternut squash was so delicious. The combination of sweet apples and savory butternut squash was unexpected but amazing. This apple and butternut squash baby food recipe is too good not to share with the world.

I think this flavor combination might be my new favorite. The sweetness of the apples pairs very well with the earthy, nutty flavor of the butternut squash. It’s like a match made in culinary heaven. You must try this out for yourself.

Here is the recipe for our delicious apple and butternut squash baby food. Let us know in the comments below if you give it a try and how your little one enjoyed it!

Apple and Butternut Squash Baby Food

This meal is simple to make and perfect for introducing new flavors to your baby’s palate. It combines the creamy texture of butternut squash with the fresh sweetness of apples, creating a well-balanced and nutritious meal. The vitamins and antioxidants in both ingredients will help support your baby’s immune system and overall growth and development. Plus, the high fiber content will aid in digestion, keeping your little one’s tummy happy and healthy.

Butternut squash is a nutritional powerhouse, brimming with vitamins A, C, and E, along with magnesium and potassium. Apples, with their natural sweetness, are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, particularly vitamin C. Combined, these two foods provide a delightful and diverse array of nutrients essential for overall well-being.

These vitamins and minerals play crucial roles in maintaining health. Vitamin A supports vision, immune function, and skin health, while Vitamin C aids tissue repair, iron absorption, and immunity. Vitamin E protects cells from damage and supports immune health. Potassium regulates fluid balance, muscle contractions, nerve signals, and healthy blood pressure. Magnesium is essential for many bodily functions, including muscle and nerve function, energy production, and bone health.

Ingredients:

1 medium-sized butternut squash

5 small apples

Preparation:

Preheat your steamer on high heat.

Wash your apples and the butternut squash. Peel the butternut squash, cut in half, and remove the seeds. You can use a peeler or a knife to remove all of the tough skin. It may take several passes with the peeler. Chop the butternut squash into small cubes.

Despite being commonly referred to as a vegetable, butternut squash is technically a fruit because it contains seeds. It belongs to the gourd family, which includes pumpkins, cucumbers, and melons.

Cut your apples into quarters and remove all traces of seeds and core. The tough bits may not blend, so take care to get all of it. Apple peels can be irritating to some tummies. If you have such a tummy, peel your apples. Note that if you peel your apples, the color of your finished product may be slightly different.

Place the butternut squash and apples in the steamer and reduce the heat to medium. After about 15 minutes, check if your squash and apples are tender by piercing with a fork. They should be soft, but holding their shape. Once all of the pieces are tender, you’re ready to make yummy apple and butternut squash baby food.

Originating in Mexico and Central America, butternut squash has been cultivated for over 10,000 years. Its mild, sweet flavor makes it a popular choice for introducing babies to solid foods.

If the squash or apples are still tough, steam for another 5 minutes and check again. The amount of time it takes to cook will depend on how large you make your butternut squash and apple pieces and on how full your steamer basket is. It can vary substantially. This batch took about 25 minutes to cook.

Once your butternut squash and apple pieces have been thoroughly cooked, remove them from the steamer and place on a plate to cool. When the cubes are room temperature, or slightly warm, put them in a food processor or blender and puree until a velvety smooth. If it’s too thick to blend, you can add a little water, formula, or breast milk to reach your desired consistency.

This recipe makes a large batch as it takes into account the size of one butternut squash. You can store the apple and butternut squash baby food in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, but you will lose much of the nutritional value due to oxidation. It is better to leave the squash and apples in pieces and store them in the fridge. Then only puree what you will use at one meal.

You can freeze the baby food for future use. It should keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. We like to use freezer safe baby food containers to freeze in meal sized portions. Alternately, you can reduce the batch size by using only a part of the squash. This homemade apple and butternut squash baby food is a nutritious and delicious option for your little one!