Kabocha squash has some incredible flavour and texture within it that can make it a highly sought-after ingredient for many people the world over. They can be tough to get hold of. So if you have managed to grab a few, how should you store them?
Can You Freeze Kabocha Squash?
Yes, you can freeze kabocha squash for up to 1 month. Remove the stem from the squash before slicing it in half and removing the seeds and pith. Then, remove the skin, and slice the remaining flesh into cubes roughly an inch in size. Transfer the cubes to a freezer bag, and freeze.
Do Does Kabocha Squash freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Kabocha Squash? Yes
How to Freeze Kabocha Squash
Freezing squash, or any ingredient, in your home isnāt as easy as throwing the whole thing into the freezer. Therefore, here are some steps to follow to make sure that you get the most out of your kabocha squash:
- Remove the Stem, Seeds, and Pith: The first step to freezing kabocha squash is to remove the stem, seeds, and pith since these are all things that you cannot eat. You may as well do all your prep now.
- Remove the Peel: Skin the kabocha squash, using a small paring knife to remove the peel in long strokes. You can do this in any way that might be easier, but a paring knife is often the easiest.
- Dice the Squash Into Cubes: Cutting the squash into cubes means it will fit together in the bags much more efficiently and take up less space in your freezer.
- Place the Cubes Into Freezer Bags: Try to stack the cubes in the bags since this will be the most effective way to store them. You donāt have to go to great lengths to stack them, though, as theyāll likely get moved out of place in the freezer.
- Label and Freeze: Label the bags of squash cubes with the date that you are freezing them on, as this will allow you to ensure you eat them in good time. Place them in the centre of the freezer to avoid freezer burn from setting in.
Yes, cooked kabocha squash can be frozen for around 1 month in freezer bags. Once cooked, it must be fully cooled before it can be frozen.
3 Tips for Freezing Kabocha Squash
Now you know how to freeze it, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing kabocha squash to have the best results:
Ensure a Tight Seal
Ensuring that the bags are sealed in your freezer will prevent them from soaking up too much in the way of freezer aromas, which squash, of all types, is pretty likely to do.Ā
Don’t Be Too Delicate
Donāt obsess over making sure that the squash in the bags is as efficiently stacked as possible. Instead, making sure to fit as much into the bags as possible is most important, as that will determine your efficiency much more clearly.
Use a Flat-Bladed Knife
This is less of a freezing tip, but itās a worthwhile one for knife safety. Considering the hardness of squash, itās worth using a flat-bladed knife and pushing it through the squash rather than a curved-bladed knife and rapidly dicing it as you would with an onion.Ā
How Long Can You Freeze Kabocha Squash?
You can freeze a kabocha squash for around 1 month before youāre likely to notice any level of degradation in the squash itself.
Beyond that point, the squash will still be safe to eat, but it will also have lost some texture to freezer burn.
A whole, uncut kabocha squash can be kept in a cool, dark cupboard for around 1 month. Once prepared, it will only last for 2 days or so in the fridge.
How Do You Defrost Kabocha Squash?
The easiest way to defrost kabocha squash in your home is to transfer the bags to the fridge and store them there overnight. Place the bag on a plate or dish so that you don’t end up with water dripping all over the fridge.
That will ensure that the squash thaws out while also making sure that it is stored safely.
Can You Refreeze Kabocha Squash?
Yes, you can refreeze kabocha squash.
The reason is that the squash itself is very fibrous, meaning that freezer burn doesnāt have too much effect on it.
The only exception is with cooked squash. Freezing it over and over again can lead to it becoming quite soft and mushy.
Does Kabocha Squash Freeze Well?
Yes, kabocha squash does freeze well!
All squashes and gourds freeze quite well since theyāre very fibrous. This means that theyāre deeply unlikely to succumb to freezer burn since, quite simply, theyāre too tough.
Related FAQs
If youāve still got questions about freezing kabocha squash or squash in general, then these may help:
Yes, Japanese pumpkin, also known as kabocha squash, can be frozen for around 1 month. It should be frozen in freezer bags in portions.
Yes, soup made with kabocha squash can be frozen in good-quality, thick freezer bags once it has cooled to room temperature.
