JessReplanted Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Peeling and cutting a butternut squash shouldn't leave you in a sweaty huff of a mess, should it? So, what am I doing wrong? Are my knives just too dull? I had the squash in the fridge, does that make a difference? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 I find that really difficult too! I have actually picked recipes lately that have your roast the squash and then scoop it out and put it into whatever. Peeling and cutting is too hard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 We toss ours (whole, uncut) in the microwave for a couple of minutes first. It softens up nicely and cooks just the way it should afterward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 I like the cook it whole tactic too. But if you need to roast it in pieces, do make sure your knife is sharp! I often cut the ends off and peel it whole, then cut. The stem end is the hardest part to cut! Trying a pumpkin pie recipe with some this weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skimomma Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 I use those cheesy little pumpkin carving knives for all winter squash. They work like a charm. This was discovered only after my dh would not let me "borrow" the chainsaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in New York Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 I find a vegetable peeler gets the skin off easily. Then a good sharp knife to cut the squash itself. My "flatter" measuring Tablespoon does the trick with removing seeds. By "flatter", I mean one that does not have a deeper curve or "bowl" but more spread. The rim is thin and somewhat sharp and lends itself to scraping the insides of the squash very cleanly. ~Melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 I cut both ends off, then use a veggie peeler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy the Valiant Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 I use a freshly-sharpened knife, cut off the top & bottom of the squash, slice it in half and cook it. Easy peasy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I see people on Food Network peel one with a vegetable peeler but when I try it, my peeler just slips and doesn't do a thing. I have a pretty good peeler so it really bugs me that I have to cut it into fourths and then use a knife to peel it. My knives work well- that's the fastest way I have found to dice one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sdel Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I also use a veggie peeler, but it still takes a while. We are going to be eating a lot of butternut squash this week since that is what it on sale this week. Stefanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 How timely! I was just discussing this today with some other moms. I am usually in the cut off the ends, cut in half and roast camp. They are such a pain to cube! Anyway, in the discussion today one of the moms (whose hubby is an ER doctor) was telling us that when her hubby was on call last month a lady was brought in...she lost an EYE because she apparently tried to cut up butternut squash the wrong way. Awful:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsuga Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I use those cheesy little pumpkin carving knives for all winter squash. They work like a charm. This was discovered only after my dh would not let me "borrow" the chainsaw. My partner uses a drill with a saw blade attached to carve pumpkins, to the delight of all children in the vicinity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I cook the squash whole or in halves. Halves is the most I will cut it. If a recipes wants cubes of squash I buy frozen cubed squash. Mostly I'm using puréed squash so I cook it whole and scoop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessReplanted Posted December 6, 2014 Author Share Posted December 6, 2014 How timely! I was just discussing this today with some other moms. I am usually in the cut off the ends, cut in half and roast camp. They are such a pain to cube! Anyway, in the discussion today one of the moms (whose hubby is an ER doctor) was telling us that when her hubby was on call last month a lady was brought in...she lost an EYE because she apparently tried to cut up butternut squash the wrong way. Awful:( How horrible!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessReplanted Posted December 6, 2014 Author Share Posted December 6, 2014 We toss ours (whole, uncut) in the microwave for a couple of minutes first. It softens up nicely and cooks just the way it should afterward. I think I will try this next time. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I cut in half, cut into the right sized segments, then peel with the knife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ailaena Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 ...she lost an EYE because she apparently tried to cut up butternut squash the wrong way. Awful:( And this is why if I ABSOLUTELY need it cubed, I just buy it pre-cubed. It's fresh squash during squash season and I will buy it frozen if I'm seriously craving something that needs cubed squash. But I am firmly in the Stab and Throw camp: Stab it a couple of times, throw it in the oven, keep both of your eyes and all of your digits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I think I will try this next time. Thanks! I just shared the microwave tip with my mom over Thanksgiving. She couldn't believe how much easier that made it. We'll never go back to brute force! I think I'll cook one up today due to this thread. We still have two left from our garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 America's Test Kitchen to the rescue: http://food-hacks.wonderhowto.com/how-to/easiest-way-prep-peel-cube-butternut-squash-for-your-favorite-fall-recipes-0148886/ I love butternut squash but I hate peeling it. It shows me that I really need a new vegetable peeler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diplomum Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 If you're pureeing the butternut for muffins etc., you don't need to peel it. Just steam or boil, and zap with skin on. I learned that from Jamie Oliver but was still skeptical until I tried it. The skin disappears when pureed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diplomum Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 If you're pureeing the butternut for muffins etc., you don't need to peel it. Just steam or boil, and zap with skin on. I learned that from Jamie Oliver but was still skeptical until I tried it. The skin disappears when pureed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 I have an actual jigsaw to cut up squash. Yes, that thing you would buy dh to saw things in the garage. One of those. Works like a charm for cutting squash. Everyone in the house knows it's mine. It comes out, cuts the squash, gets washed and goes back in the cabinet. It has never seen the inside of the garage. It's mine. Don't touch it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 Sharp knife and a good peeler (I have the Oxo one)---even dd14 can cut up butternut squash :) I cut off the ends, cut it in half vertically right above the bulbous part, and stand each half on end to slice downward. I peel each quarter separately as it's easier to hold that way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted December 6, 2014 Share Posted December 6, 2014 How timely! I was just discussing this today with some other moms. I am usually in the cut off the ends, cut in half and roast camp. They are such a pain to cube! Anyway, in the discussion today one of the moms (whose hubby is an ER doctor) was telling us that when her hubby was on call last month a lady was brought in...she lost an EYE because she apparently tried to cut up butternut squash the wrong way. Awful:( This is the kind of thing that would happen to me. I tried the sharp knife route and it just led to injuries from slippage. At least when the duller knife slipped, I didn't get cut! I also COULD NOT STAND the papery coating that peeling and slicing butternut squash left all over my hands *shudder* Thankfully, I'm the only one in the family who liked butternut, so I just let it go. Now when I have to cook squash, I cut it in half and cook it in the oven, then scoop it. I'm still the only one here who has any kind of affinity for winter squash, though. I have a big acorn squash and a small butternut on my shelf right now. I think I may roast one for lunch today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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