Food for Blog: Squash for Babies and Big kids

I have been making a lot of my own baby food since my first born but I always resorted to store bought when it came to squash.  Simply because I didn't really know how to prepare it.  Now that I'm much more computer literate and a self proclaimed semi-professional googler I decided I would buy some and give it a try.

I googled "how to make squash baby food" and used the first 2 recipes I found.  The first was for baby food and the second recipe was for roasted squash seeds.  Ellie helped me in her dress up clothes.  Her reaction was how beautiful the squash was inside.  Ethan wanted to know if we could roast the seeds like we do with a pumpkin, to which I replied "I don't know, lets google it and find out."  Sure enough you can and we did.

This baby food is so easy to make.  Not to mention you can give your older kids (or yourself) a yummy snack too.  I followed the recipes almost exactly.  I put pumpkin pie spice in the water when it is cooking.  It makes the whole house smell delicious and gives it some flavor.  I made butternut and acorn squash.  Be careful, the acorn squash looks similar to applesauce.  Definitely not the same!

If you don't have a food processor or don't want to spend the money on one but still want to make your own baby food I suggest investing in a BabySteps Hand Crank Food Mill.  My mom bought this one for me when Ethan was born and I am now using it with Jack.  I love it!  If we have green beans so does Jack.  I can pack it and take it with us anywhere.  Four kids and still going strong.

Ready, set, make it:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
• Cut desired squash in half
• Scoop out seeds (an ice cream scoop works really well). Discard or save for later to roast.
• Put halves skin side up in a baking dish 
• Add 1 to 2 inches of water
• Sprinkle in water spice such as cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (optional)
• Bake uncovered for 40 minutes
• Let cool for at least 10 minutes or until you can handle without burning yourself
• Scoop squash meat into food processor and blend until desired consistency
• Put in cute canning jars, or spoon into ice trays to freeze and pat yourself on the back for being so fabulous and saving a ridiculous amount of money and making your house smell yummy.