Well, well, well. It seems like I've seen this packaging before. But Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Pizza Crust packaging is darn similar to another item. If you pick up Trader Joe's Cauliflower Crust, then you might accidentally find yourself picking up this product instead. Fortunately, not only is the packaging similar, so are the end products.
Taste
This is one of those Franken-food mashups that Trader Joe's seems to love to pull on us. It isn't traditional pizza. Cauliflower pizza was going mainstream when the new crust hit. But that original Cauliflower crust made a lot of people go crazy.
Especially the low carb peeps. Cauliflower crust was originally designed to fit a need in the gluten-free and the low carb communities. But like Trader Joe's Cauliflower Crust, this too will only satisfy one of those groups.
If you are consuming this because you are gluten-free, then that is different. This doesn't contain cheese like some of the recipes, it does contain quite a bit of corn flour making it taste more like a polenta or even grits.
But if my receipt tells me anything, it is that this isn't around forever. In fact, I checked and this is marked as "HOL" or holiday or seasonal. So if you like this, then pick up a few.
Now, I when I first purchased this item I actually bought 2 of them. When I bought my first Cauliflower crust at Trader Joe's it took a while for it to come back into stock, so I felt I was better off safe than sorry.
The one you are seeing pictured is actually the second. The first one I tried via Instagram stories was vastly uneven in thickness leading to near burnt on one side and done enough on the other. For this second one pictured, that wasn't an issue.
Perhaps there are some quality issues here. So you all will have to let me know.
Otherwise, you'll have to allow for 25+ minutes to get this pizza done. You'll also need to get your oven really hot to 450F and eventually to broil. In my world, aka electric oven world, this meant another 20 minutes.
Timing gripes aside, this was an improvement in directions as compared to the original Cauliflower pizza. The crust did crisp up nice, but I was wishing for something just a hair thinner.
It didn't taste too "squashy." The primary taste and texture for me was the corn flour. I didn't mind eating it. I'm almost positive I was still saving calories as compared to eating regular pizza. It held my tomato sauce and cheese well, but I wouldn't load this crust up to heavily as I'm not sure it wouldn't flop over.
Is this worth a try?
Depending on what your priorities are dictates whether or not you should give this a go. If you love the taste and texture of the original Trader Joe's Cauliflower Crust, then yes give this a go. It is very similar. If you are gluten-free, this is ok to try.
Otherwise, I know the whole squash thing isn't everyone's favorite fall veggie, so it is ok to give this a pass too.
As for me, I enjoyed this, but at this price point (and the fact that I can eat gluten) Monteli's Organic Pizza Crusts (not Trader Joe's branded, but sold there) are a far better value.
Just realize this is labeled as being a holiday item. So plan accordingly.
Product photos
The box of Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Pizza Crust:
Calories and ingredients
Directions
How Trader Joe's describes this product:
Out of the package you get:
After being cooked you get:
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Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
The Bottom Line
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Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Pizza Crust
Product Name: Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Pizza Crust
Product Description: A butternut squash pizza crust made with butternut squash, corn flour, olive oil, and salt.
Price: $4.29
Summary
A new gluten free pizza crust for those who don't enjoy the taste of cauliflower or just need a break from everything cauliflower
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- The directions worked well as printed.
- If you like crisp pizza, it is relatively achievable.
Cons
- While this will make the gluten free crowd happy, this will also be too high in carb for the low carb crowd
- Pricey for a pizza crust at over $4
- No. You will not get 6 servings out of this. Three in the real world.
- Still has a polenta like taste to it.
- There is some product inconsistency. I bought 2 of these and one had wildly different thickness to it leaving me with a half burnt half mush crust. The second crust I opened was completely even.
- My receipt says "HOL" which means holiday (aka seasonal)
- Takes longer than regular pizza to cook
I hope to see a corn pizza crust! No brainer almost like polenta. Mash-up of polenta and pizza.
Hey Alek! Well, if Taco Bell can offer a Mexican pizza, it might just work! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and share!
Thanks for sharing! Also for the pro tip on the receipt codes!
Hey Kari! No problem! I see that question asked a lot. This seems to be the time of year when it comes up most. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to stop by.
Great that it’s GF and vegan! I feel like this would be a good candidate for something like a pesto sauce and some mushrooms instead of regular tomato sauce and cheese situation
I don't see why it wouldn't work! Be sure to get it crispy. Thanks so much for stopping by!