Butternut Squash

Making Baby Food

Yum-o! Last night my facebook status spurred some new moms' attention when I posted this comment, "It is so interesting how homemade baby food looks true to the vegetable color but jarred food is all variations of brown. It goes to show that preservatives and processed foods lose their vitamins. I am proud that I have kept up making it all for Bailey."

It's true I have made it all. We have used jarred food only when absolutely necessary, like on vacation....otherwise its all been homemade. I don't want you to think I am a chef or an expert in the kitchen because I am not. I am just a mom trying to provide the best for for her baby! And you too can do it too...with just a little knowledge and a bit of love and care in the kitchen.

Ok first things first! Here are the things you need to have in order to be able to get off on the right foot...a food processor, spoons, and some ice cube trays. Now I knew I was in for the long haul so I bought ice cube trays with lids from Babies R Us. Kinda expensive, but if you plan on use them every week, you'll surely get your money out of them. I have 8. I love them and use them A LOT. But if you are not sure that making baby food is for you...you might just want to buy some ice cube trays and cover them aluminum foil. Or if you want to go the cheap way..this is the route for you! Either way is acceptable.

Once you decide on the route you are going to go with the ice cube trays, wash everything thoroughly and get ready! If you are just starting solids for the first time, we need to talk about cross contamination---This means that you have to wash everything, soap and water, between different foods. Just in case your LO is allergic.

When I started making foods for Bailey I started with avocado...it is as bland as they come. I mushed it with a fork very finely and fed it to her...easy peasy! Right?? No work involved yet!

Now it's time for the real business to begin. After Eric and I waited three days, just to make sure she wasn't allergic to avocado- we started butternut squash!

Here's what to do: First buy and wash the outside of the butternut squash. I usually buy two at a time. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Then cut off each of the ends.Cut the butternut squash in half, so that you have the bulb part and the neck part. Then split the two pieces in half and scoop out the seeds. Place in a 13 x 9 pan skin side up. Fill the pan half full of water and cook for 40 minutes. When the timer rings, pull each piece of squash out of the oven and place in an ice bath. (A bowl full of ice water.) This stops the cooking process and will help for easier peeling off of the skin. Peel off the skin and any tough strings that you might find on the squash. Put the "meat" in the food processor and puree. Depending on your child's eating habits you will need to thin it out with water to make the right consistency. New moms: thin it out coffee creamer consistency. Last place in molds and freeze. Label your ziploc bags with the food and the date cooked.

And BINGO you did it you made butternut squash! Pictures of the process will be posted soon.