To bake a butternut squash lay it on it’s side and carefully press a knife through the center.  Cut down towards the bottom end, then turn the squash around and cut from the middle back to the top.  Open the squash and remove the seeds that are in the bottom of the squash.

Place them upside down in a baking tray and add about 3 cups of water.  This will help keep the squash from sticking to the pan as it cooks.  Cover with foil.

Bake at 350F for about 45 minutes.

To tell if the squash is done, gently press with a fork.  If the fork easily presses through the squash you know it’s done!  Let it cool until it’s easy to handle.  Turn the squash over and scoop out the the cooked flesh.  Puree this in a food processor or a blender.  If you don’t have one you can also use a potato masher and hand mixer.

If your not wanting to use the puree right a way, you can freeze it in storage containers or freezer bags. I prefer to measure mine out in 2 cup portions, I find most of my recipes use this amount.  You can also dehydrate the puree.  I will be adding a video on how to do that soon.

This same basic method can be used for most squashes and butternut puree can be substituted easily in any recipe calling for pumpkin puree.

Yesterday dh checked the news online and all the sites were buzzing about a fall “weather bomb”.  Apparently it dropped tornadoes in the USA, brought snow to Saskatchewan and Manitoba.  Ontario had tornado warnings up, and I didn’t even know.  It had been grey sky’s most of the day, but nothing that looked to bad.  Finally started to rain in the late afternoon.  It did get windy, but we’ve sure had worse!

Today was still a little windy.  Early in the afternoon all the lights serged then the power went out.  It stayed off for 10 min or so.  But our internet has been flicking in and out since.  There are quite a few hydro outages in the area (with in an hour, and father to).  Winds have been brining down tree branches.  Thankfully the winds are to start calming down tonight.   We have wood stoves to heat and cook with and are just fine with out power.   Some times its real nice when it goes off.  It’s so QUIET!!  But I do worry about others who are not as prepared.

It is so important to have an emergency pack on hand.  Everyone needs food and water as well as a way to heat your home and cook with.  You can never know when it will come in handy!  Do you keep an emergency kit?  What do you store in it?

Related articles

• Strong winds blast Prairies to Quebec (cbc.ca)
• Wind warning for Toronto area (cbc.ca)
• Massive storm destroys property but spares lives (dispatch.com)
• Storm cancels hundreds of flights (chron.com)
• Storm Moves to Eastern United States and Canada: Photos, Videos (nowpublic.com)

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Today I trimmed the grass around the raised beds and weeded them well.  Tomorrow I will be planting cucumbers and beans in there.  We are hoping to start planting the potatoes as well.

The ground is terribly dry, I’m hoping we really do get the rain they are predicting for Sat.  This weekend is Victoria Day weekend, so it’s a good bet that we will get some rain. LOL!  It always seems to rain on that weekend!

Italian Zucchini

Henderson Pink Tomato

Huckleberry

One of our gardens, photo taken from the middle.  This shows were the tomatoes, cabbages, huckleberry’s, peas, onions and garlic are planted.

Check out this video of more info.

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