Baby Foods for Fall: Squash

Since my baby food posts have been surprisingly popular, I will continue to share what I’m making with you mamas.  I’m so excited that I can share my passion for feeding Raya fresh and healthy foods!  This weekend’s batch was squash, and guess what?  You can make it in the microwave.  One batch can beready in about 20 minutes!

Raya LOVES squash, and it’s a really cost-effective baby food to make.  This is an acorn squash.  At $0.79 a pound, this one cost $1.28, and I got 14 oz. of baby food from it.

(You can make all winter squashes following this method, just keep in mind that a bigger squash will take longer to cook.)

Wash it off first since you will be cooking it in its shell.  You just want to make sure there’s no lingering dirt.  Cut it into halves and scoop out the seeds and membranes.

Put the halves into a microwave-safe dish.  You may add cinnamon or other spices if you normally give them to your baby – just avoid adding sugar or salt to baby food.  Add a couple tablespoons of water to the bottom of the dish to keep it moist.  Cover with plastic wrap.

Microwave for 10 minutes.  For larger squashes, you will need to increase your time.  It will be done when it’s soft to the touch.

Scoop the squash from its shell.  It should remove easily.  Be careful not to get the shell in the squash, but if you do, just spoon it out.

Put it into your food processor/blender and puree it. 

You may want to thin it a little for younger babies, but I usually just keep it thick.  If I need to thin it, I usually do so at feeding time.  You can add a little bit of breastmilk or formula then.  Older babies will probably like a thicker texture.

I spoon it into trays for freezing, but you can keep it refrigerated up to 3 days.  (That’s just a LOT of squash for three days, LOL!)

Once it’s frozen, remove the cubes to ziploc baggies.  Be sure to label them with the type of food and date – and you can freeze them up to three months.

I made this batch when I was home from work on my lunch hour, and still had time to help get Raya down for a nap and eat lunch before heading back to the office, so I promise this is a pretty simple one!! :) 

As always – feel free to message me if you have questions, or leave a comment with a way to contact you back.  I love making baby food, and I love when other mamas want to give it a try!!

I link to these fabulous parties!