Pick it up. Don’t be shy. Squash is heavy for its size, and that’s a good thing. A heavy squash means dense, juicy flesh inside.
Look at the skin. It should be a uniform, pale beige color. No green patches. Green means it was picked too early—unripe and sad. No deep gouges or soft spots either. Those are bruises, and they lead to rot.
Fun fact: Butternut squash is actually a fruit, not a vegetable. Botanically, it’s a berry. A giant, wintery, edible berry. Tell that at your next dinner party. You’ll sound smart.
The Stem is a Clue
Check the stem. It should be firm and dry, with a tiny bit of corkiness. If it’s mushy or missing, bacteria may have snuck in. No stem? No deal.
Also, a long, curved neck is your friend. More neck means less of that hollow seed cavity. More solid flesh for your recipes. It’s like finding extra bacon in your breakfast. A win.
