Storage of Butternut Squash

I've just bought a butternut squash. On the label it says "Keep at room temperature". Why shouldn't I store it in the fridge?

storage squash

Best Answer

Two factors affect the storage of butternut and other winter squash, temperature and humidity. From Bonnie Plants :

You’ll see best storage results when you stash squash in a cool, dry spot. For most winter squash, store at 50º to 55º F with relative humidity of 60 to 70 percent.

Obviously, the temperature in our refrigerators is much lower than 50°F - 55°F. And humidity levels can be all over the place, higher or lower than recommended.

To further answer why temperature makes so much difference: winter squash and pumpkins are still alive even after being harvested and continue to 'breathe'. From NC State :

Respiration rate of fruit is most effectively controlled by lowering the temperature. For each 10°C (18°F) reduction in fruit temperature, the respiration rate is reduced by approximately one-half. Chilling injury can occur, however, to some fruits at temperatures below 50°F.

Also:

Whether in a home, garden or commercial planting, special care should be exercised to protect harvested fruit from excessively high (>95°F) and cold (<50°F) temperatures, asphyxiation, and mechanical injuries such as scratches, cuts or bruises. Not only are mechanical injuries unsightly, they also provide an easy entrance for various rot-producing organisms.

Pictures about "Storage of Butternut Squash"

Storage of Butternut Squash - White Skin Butternut Squash on the Table

Storage of Butternut Squash - Colorful Fruits on Beige Fabr

Storage of Butternut Squash - Orange Pumpkin on Green Grass

Quick Answer about "Storage of Butternut Squash"

Storing It Store your fresh, uncut squash in a cool, dark place, such as a basement or closet, where sunlight won't hasten its ripening. Under the right storage conditions, your butternut squash should last two to three months.

How do you store butternut squash after harvesting?

How to Store Winter Squash

Store winter squash in a cool, dry place; store winter squash at 50\xb0 to 55\xb0 F with a relative humidity of 50 to 70 percent\u2014higher humidity can result in rot.

Store cured squash on a shelf or rack, not on the floor.

Keep the skins of cured squash dry to prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria.

How do you store butternut squash over winter?

Squash store best at an even 50\xb0F in a dark place. This could be a cool and dark shelf, cabinet, or drawer in the kitchen, pantry, or closet. They also store well in a warmer section of the root cellar such as on the top shelf.

Should fresh butternut squash be refrigerated?

Do not refrigerate whole butternut squash; it will keep for a month or more in a cool, dark place. Peeled butternut squash should be stored tightly covered and refrigerated for up to five days.

Can I freeze raw butternut squash?

More good news: It does fine whether frozen raw or cooked. And the fact that yours has been cut into small chunks is no problem. You can freeze raw butternut squash pieces in the same way you would freeze berries: Place them on a baking sheet, spaced out so they don't touch each other, and freeze until very firm.

How To Cure and Store Butternut Squash! (To Last All Winter!) Garden Harvest Preservation

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Mark Stebnicki, MART PRODUCTION, Karolina Grabowska, Mathias Reding