The butternut squash is far too delicious to avoid. It is easier to peel and cut than you think! Once you get inside, you have gobs of delicious squash flesh on your hands to use in your favorite soup or to roast in the oven for an easy side dish. Watch these easy step-by-step instructions to get the scoop!
I fully admit that I avoided the delicious butternut squash for a very long time due to its slightly intimidating thick skin. I had no idea how to get past it and I know I’m not the only one. After trying various squash recipes at restaurants I decided to grab my sharpest knife and give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was much easier than I ever could have imagined. Yay!
WATCH THIS VIDEO TUTORIAL TO EASILY CUT UP A SQUASH
HOW TO PEEL AND CUT A BUTTERNUT SQUASH
First, you’ll want to grab your sharpest chef’s knife. If you do not have a long, sharp knife microwave the squash for 1-2 minutes to soften the skin. Stab the squash with a fork a few times first, if you go this route.
Place the squash on its side on top of a cutting board and cut top and bottom ends off. Discard.
Use a potato or vegetable peeler to remove the skin away from the squash, all the way around.
Stand it on its end and cut the squash down the center lengthwise.
Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds toward the fat part of the squash. Discard.
Turn the peeled butternut squash halves over so the flat sides are on the cutting board.
Slice each half lengthwise into 1-inch strips, then crosswise into 1-inch strips. Lay slices flat and cut another set of lengthwise cuts to create cubes.
The squash is now ready to roast or to use in your favorite recipe!
DELICIOUS BUTTERNUT SQUASH RECIPES
Roasted squash is super easy and one of the most delicious ways to enjoy the winter squash (recipe below).
Make this totally yummy butternut squash soup!
Roasted squash and apples is a unique but very tasty side dish that you should add to your to-make list.
Roast and mash it and use is as a replacement for pumpkin puree in your next pumpkin recipe! Think: pumpkin mac and cheese, pumpkin pie bars and Instant Pot pumpkin oatmeal!
HOW TO MAKE ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray. Add 1 peeled and chopped butternut squash in a single layer. Drizzle 4 tablespoons of melted butter or olive oil over the top and toss to coat. Place squash in the oven.
Sprinkle with sea salt and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice throughout. Sprinkle with extra salt, if desired, and serve immediately!
How to Peel and Cut a Butternut Squash
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash
Instructions
- Place the squash on its side on top of a cutting board and cut top and bottom ends off. Discard.
- Use a potato or vegetable peeler to remove the skin away from the squash, all the way around.
- Stand it on its end and cut the squash down the center lengthwise.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds toward the fat part of the squash. Discard.
- Turn the peeled butternut squash halves over so the flat sides are on the cutting board.
- Slice each half lengthwise into 1-inch strips, then crosswise into 1-inch strips. Lay slices flat and cut another set of lengthwise cuts to create cubes.
- The squash is now ready to roast or to use in your favorite recipe!
Notes
- Grab your sharpest chef’s knife to cut into the squash. If you do not have a long, sharp knife, microwave the squash for 1-2 minutes to soften the skin. Stab the squash with a fork a few times first, if you go this route.
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