Pumpkins aren't the only vegetable to shine brightly in autumn. All sorts of different squash varieties find their way into product bins about the same time the leaves begin falling from the trees. Not only can they spruce up your fall decorating, they can also be a healthy addition to your baby or toddler's diet.

"Squash, especially a winter variety such as butternut squash, are good early foods for babies and toddlers," says Peggy O'Shea, a Boston-based nutritionist and president of the Massachusetts Dietetic Association. "They offer a soft consistency when cooked and generally have a mild flavor."

Nutritionally, each squash has a unique nutrition profile dependent on the specific variety. "In general, winter squash varieties tend to be a good source of niacin, iron, beta-carotene and vitamin A," O'Shea says.

O'Shea says when cooking any squash, be certain to remove all seeds, which are more likely eaten by adults in summer squash varieties versus winter varieties. The seeds pose a serious choking hazard for children under the age of 4, she says.

Squash can be baked, steamed, boiled or poached. "Different varieties of squash offer slightly different textures, but essentially all of them can be cooked to a soft consistency and then cut up for a soft finger food for babies with teeth or pureed for early eaters," O'Shea says. "Squash is also easily combined with other early baby foods such as apple puree, pear puree, etc."

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