Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Apple Squash Puree Baby Food Recipe

Organic Gala Apples & Organic Acorn Squash

I found this recipe on Wholesome Baby Food and decided to try it out. The recipe called for an entire squash, but I halved the recipe as an entire squash would produce more than I could fit into my Baby Bullet at once and I doubt that I could use that much up over the next month or so. So keep in mind you can double this recipe.

This recipe can be used for grown ups as well, just sprinkle with some pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon and a little brown sugar and skip the pureeing!




Ingredients:
  • 1/2 Acorn Squash
  • 2 Apples
  • Water as needed to achieve desired consistency
  • A pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice can be added if desired. I did not add anything to my baby food.
Recommended for:
  • 4-6+ months
Yeild: 
  • Approximately 15 oz 
Cost Comparison
  • $0.13 per oz (I used organic Gala apples and organic acorn squash) vs. $0.27 per oz for the commercially prepared organic baby food (based on $1.20 per 4.5 oz glass jar).


Directions
  • Peel and dice apples
  • Cut squash in half and scoop out  the seeds
  • Put about an inch of water in the bottom of a baking dish
  • Place the squash face up in the dish of water
  • Fill the hole of the squash with the diced apple
  • Add cinnamon or spice if desired
  • Pour a bit of water of the apples, enough to fill the hollow part of the squash where the apples are sitting
  • Cover dish & bake at 400° for about 40 minutes or until the squash is soft (you can check this by poking at the meaty part of the squash with a spoon, you should be able to slice through it with next to no effort)
  • Scoop the apples and squash out of the shell and put in to your blender/food processor/Baby Bullet. If you would like a thicker/lumpier consistency you can just mash it up with a fork.
  • BLEND! Add water to achieve desired consistency. I added 2 oz for a nice applesauce like texture.

The decimated remains of my squash


Apple Squash Puree!

Storage:

You can use whatever type of containers to have on hand to refrigerate or freeze your baby food, but there are a couple things that you should keep in mind:

  • Any baby food you put in the fridge should be consumed within 3 days.
  • Frozen baby food is optimal if consumed within 30 days, but can be used for up to 60 days.
  • Keep baby food in small portions, as you will have to discard any left over from each feeding. This is because babies (and adults!) mouths are full of bacteria, once this bacteria touches the spoon and gets into the food it starts to grow. If you put this food back in the fridge the bacteria will continue to grow, and feeding this to your baby later may make them ill. 
  • Do not freeze puree that has been made with previously frozen breastmilk. If you want to use breastmilk in your puree, it is best to use fresh breastmilk.


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