A nut, not as common as other types, that is grown mainly in the eastern U.S. The large oval shell of this nut contains an oval shaped nut that is high in oil content, which makes it susceptible to becoming rancid more quickly. Due to the difficulty in cracking the outer shell, this nut is not grown or harvested as extensively as other varieties. Most often, the butternut is used in desserts, cakes, cookies, and maple nut frosting, a popular New England topping. When storing butternuts, place them in the refrigerator to lengthen their useful life. This nut is also referred to as the white walnut.