Vegetables - Butternuts

Vegetables - Butternuts - BioGro Certified

Approx 1.5kg

They have a creamy beige skin and an elongated shape thicker at one end. They have orange flesh and a sweet flavour.

Flavour varies with variety, growing conditions and season.

Pumpkins and squash are a good source of vitamin A, containing high levels of the carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin) which the body converts to vitamin A (some more than others). The stronger the colour of the flesh, the more carotenoids the pumpkin will contain.

Pumpkin is also a good source of vitamin C and a source of vitamin E plus contains dietary fibre and potassium at levels of dietary significance. Buttercup squash is a good source of folate and a source of dietary fibre, vitamin E and niacin plus contains potassium. While pumpkin is lower in carbohydrate and calories compared to vegetables of similar texture like kumara or potatoes, buttercup squash has a similar carbohydrate and calorie content to potatoes. 

The most abundant phytonutrients in pumpkins are the range of carotenoids which as well as being a source of vitamin A are being investigated for other heath benefits.