No penury to get into a coat of armor to peel , cut off , and seed this sturdy squash .

grade right up there withremoving the pit from an avocadoas one of the more potentially - dangerousmeal preptasks , get over how to geld butternut squash can experience dash .

It ’s no wonder the freezer gangway and give rise section almost always let in peeled and cubed versions of this gourd vine quick to grab and go . While that can be convenient , you ’re almost guaranteed to pay a premium for pre - cut butternut squash . Plus , in the case of frozen cubes , you have less control condition over the terminal consistency . And with the refrigerate sort , we ’ve constitute that they can err on the teetotal side ( since the surface domain has been exposed to air for hours … and sometimes days ) .

cut butternut squash

Credit:Jacob Fox. Food Styling: Annie Probst

For this understanding we suggest buckling up , rolling up your sleeves , and following our easy guide for how to hack butternut squash . We ’ll walk you through every step of the means so you may safely slit ( and die , if desired)—no world ’s strongest human - level muscle power required .

Jacob Fox . Food Styling : Annie Probst

What You’ll Need to Peel and Cut Butternut Squash

Sarah Brekke , M.S.,Better Homes & GardensTest Kitchen culinary medical specialist , says that you only need fourkitchen toolsto become a pro at how to cut butternut squash :

Related:29 Butternut Squash recipe You ’ll Want to Make All time of year

How to Peel Butternut Squash

For the longest shelf life for your squash , moisten and remove the skin just before you design to utilise it , Brekke say .

To peel butternut squeeze with a veggie striptease , feel liberal to do so when the squash is whole . For easy desquamation , cut both ends off before peeling . Rinse the skin well under ladder water supply , using a blank dish towel to sweep off any soil .

Rest the conclusion of the squash on the cutting board . With the vegetable stripper in your rife script and your non - prevailing hand supporting the squash ( with finger safely forth from the press clipping sharpness ) , incline the veggie peeler from top to bottom of the squash rackets to remove the Sir Robert Peel . cultivate your way around the squash , tilting and/or flick it as necessary , to take off the entireness of the skin .

peeling butternut squash

Credit:Jacob Fox. Food Styling: Annie Probst

If you do n’t own a peeler or prefer to use a knife , after wash the squash racquets , Brekke recommends using the tongue to cut the squash vine in half , crosswise , to separate the orotund , seed - make full light bulb end from the top of the calabash . Place one of the squash vine composition cut - side down on the cut board . With the chef ’s tongue in your predominant hand and your non - rife hand supporting the squash ( with fingers safely out from the leaf blade ) , run knife blade from top to bottom of the squash to remove the Robert Peel , describe as close to the pelt as potential to preserve as much of the flesh as you could to employ in your recipe . do work your way around the squash vine , tilting and/or flipping it as necessary , to take off the entirety of the pelt . Repeat with the other mash half .

How to Cut Butternut Squash

Once the butternut crush is peel , you ’re ready to cut down it in half crosswise to sort the pear-shaped incandescent lamp from the top — if you did n’t do so already before peeling the squash vine with a tongue .

Step 1: Cut Squash in Half

Use your knife to slice ¼-inch off the prow destruction and the stem end . Place the top , gash - side down , on a cutting board , then slice up or chop as want .

Step 2: Remove Pulp and Seeds

For the bulb end , place it cut - side up on the cutting board . Use your knife to abbreviate it in half , then expend a spoon to scoop out the seed and stringy pulp parts from both halves .

Step 3: Cut into Cubes

Place the clean squash bulb halves , pear-shaped - side up , on the cutting board . apply your knife to slice or chop as hope . For cube , rationalize farsighted landing strip of squash . Once cut , chop up the strips into cubes .

exam Kitchen Tip : Prefer toroast white walnut squash halves ? No need to peel it first . lap the butternut squash , then site it on the cut board with the stem pointing off from your consistence . apply your knife to slice up ¼-inch off the root ending and the root final stage . With your non - dominant hand steadying the squash , draw the knife from death to terminate the duration of the squash racquets . ( Place the heel of our predominant mitt ’s palm on the top part of the tongue , if necessary , to get more leverage to exhort down and switch off the squash vine into two tall halves . ) Use a spoonful to outdo out the seed and stringy flesh parts from both half . channelise the squash to a canvass pan , drizzle with oil or coat in melted butter , then time of year as desired and roast at 350 ° F for 30 to 40 minutes , or until pinnace .

The Best Ways to Cook With Butternut Squash

Besides roasting in half or cubes , we love to transform squash into vegetable noodles . Check out ourButternut Burrito Bowlsfor inhalation . Come fall , little feel cozier than a butternut squash rackets soup . rooter spout aboutButternut Squash and Carrot SoupandGluten Free Butternut Squash Soup with Polenta Croutons . For a heartyvegetarian chief dish , we rely byFour - tall mallow Butternut Squash Macaroni and Cheese , Butternut Squash and Mushroom Noodle Bowl , andButternut Squash and Chickpea Curry .

Any which way you choose to chow down on squash , now that you ’re a professional at how to cut butternut squash , you ’ll be bare minutes away from shake your recipe .

slicing peeled butternut squash

Credit:Jacob Fox. Food Styling: Annie Probst

scooping out seeds from butternut squash

Credit:Jacob Fox. Food Styling: Annie Probst

slicing butternut squash

slicing butternut squash

slicing butternut squash

slicing butternut squash