Organic Pumpkin – Butternut 280g Australia

Origin: Australia
Status: Organic
Certification: NASAA
Highlights: Domesticated possibly 10,000 years ago by the Central American peoples, this unusual shaped squash has a fibre-rich orange flesh with a sweet, nutty taste. One of the ‘3 sisters’  of the Blue Zone diet in the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, it is often accompanied by corn and beans. Named from the local word askutasquash, meaning uncooked or eaten raw, squash can indeed be eaten raw, lightly steamed or stir-fried and is particularly good pureed or made into soup.

The deep orange colour of the Butternut squash is an indication of the high level of the carotenoids betacarotene, lutein and zeaxanthin it contains. These are essential for eye health, immune support and growth. Betacarotene is the precursor to vitamin A and is converted in the body to retinol. This is needed for healthy skin and mucus membranes and is thought to help slow degenerative disease.

The rich dietary fibre, 100g baked butternut squash supplying 7% RDA, helps balance blood sugar, keep weight in check and reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.