How to Tell When Butternut Squash Is Ripe

I like to shop for in-season fruits and vegetables when I can. It helps that there’s a lot to love about fresh fall produce! The most important thing to pick up in fall is, funnily enough, winter squash—acorn, spaghetti and, most importantly, butternut.

Butternut squash is an essential ingredient for comforting soups, skillets and baked goods. Finding the right one can be difficult, though. Stay away from any squashes with obvious cuts or soft spots that might lead to rot or mold. Brown marks, usually caused by frost, are a sign the squash won’t last as long or will have an undesirable texture.

Next time you’re at the grocery store or farmers market, here’s how to find a ripe, recipe-ready butternut squash.

How to Pick a Good Butternut Squash

Consider the weight

Pick up the squash to feel its weight. A ripe butternut squash should be hard and heavy for its size. Pick up other squashes to get an idea of the average weight. If a squash is too light, it’s not ripe enough. You can also do the tried-and-true knocking test. Tap the outside of the fruit (yes, like tomatoes and zucchini, squashes are fruits). If it sounds hollow, it’s ready to use in butternut squash recipes.

Look at the stem

You want a butternut squash with a full stem that’s firm to the touch. When the stem is intact, your squash will keep longer. If the stem is missing, it may have popped out because the squash is past its prime. Look at the color of the stem too. The perfect hue is a deep brown.

Examine the skin

Butternut squash should be dark beige. Green spots or streaks mean the squash isn’t fully ripened. But that pale spot you might find? That’s OK—it’s just where the squash was lying on the ground in the field.

Your butternut squash should not be shiny or waxy (a sign it was picked too early). Look for one with a matte finish, with even color across the surface. The thickness of the shell is equally important. Use your fingernail to gently prick the surface. If your nail goes through easily, it’s not a good squash. You want one with a hard exterior.

If you’re at a market and still unsure about your squash, talk to the farmer! They know best, after all.

Next Up: Learn how to cut butternut squash safely.