Stage 3 Butternut Squash Baby Food

Stage 2 and 3 Butternut Squash Baby Food is pureed butternut squash mixed with lots of fruits. Picky baby and toddler approved!

Homemade Stage 3 baby food recipe

This homemade butternut squash baby food is a nutritious Stage 2 and Stage 3 puree and made with butternut squash, fresh fruits and berries. Once the batch is ready (it takes less than 30 minutes), store it in the fridge or into baby food pouches so you can take it on the go. I love the healthy blend of fruit while my toddler can’t get enough of the delicious flavors!

Can babies eat butternut squash?

Yes! Butternut squash can be introduced to babies as soon as they’re ready to start eating solid foods (usually between 4 and 6 months). Its mild flavor, smooth texture, and variety of vitamins and minerals make it an excellent choice when your baby is beginning to experiment with different fruits and veggies.

Butternut squash is an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and multiple B vitamins. With all of these packed together into one delicious winter squash, your baby’s eye sight, skin, bone health, and brain development will all benefit. Some parents find that squash can be constipating for babies, but with apples and berries included in the puree, digesting should be easy.

Storebought vs. homemade baby food

Making your own baby food from scratch rather than always picking some up at the store will give your baby plenty of nutrient-dense and filling meals without wreaking havoc on your wallet. These are a few of my favorite benefits:

1. They’re flexible. You can make baby food using any combination of fruit and vegetables, making it easy to determine food sensitivities and provide a wealth of nutrients.
2. No added sugar. Making your own baby food gives you the chance to reduce excess sugar in your child’s diet. 
3. It’s affordable. You end up paying way more for the cost of ingredients in storebought baby food than you would if you bought the fruits and veggies yourself.
4. No junky ingredients. Say goodbye to preservatives! Homemade baby food doesn’t contain any weird stuff that keeps the storebought food pouches shelf-stable for weeks on end.
5. Clean out your fridge. Forget about food waste because you can use up all of your fresh, baby-friendly fruits and veggies in the fridge when experimenting with pureed baby food recipes.

How to make butternut squash baby food

Once you make homemade baby food once, you’ll never go back to storebought. It’s so easy and ready after a few simple steps:

Cook the butternut squash and apple together in a pot of boiling water. Once the squash is fork tender, drain the water.

Transfer the cooked fruits to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Add in banana, raspberries, and blueberries. Pulse until it’s a smooth consistency.

Tip: Want to add veggies? Add in 2 stalks of celery – it’s a sneaky way to add some extra nutrients into this baby food!

Serve the baby food once cooled down or place it in the fridge or freezer for later.

Tips and variations

• Save time and deepen the flavor of the mash by roasting the squash ahead of time instead of boiling it. Just keep the roasted squash in an airtight container in the fridge until it’s time to puree.
• Serve the butternut squash puree with mashed lentils or beans for an extra dose of vitamin C.
• Add even more to the puree, like strawberries, beets, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, lentils, beans, carrots, pears, and more.

Storing baby food

To store: Keep the leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

To freeze: Baby food can be stored in airtight glass containers, silicone freezer storage cubes, or reusable pouches for up to 3 months.

Need more baby food recipes?

• Apple, Pear, and Banana Baby Food
• Homemade Baby Pea Puree
• Cinnamon Carrot Fries for Baby
• Carrot Baby Cookies
• Sweet Potato Fries for Baby Led Weaning

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