You’ll probably be surprised at just how easy it is to peel and cut butternut squash. Once the skin is peeled, the inside flesh of the squash is actually pretty soft. Definitely not as hard as other vegetables like sweet potatoes. Today I’m sharing a step-by-step guide on how to cut butternut squash safely and easily. Once you learn these tips you can then use this versatile vegetable in your favorite soups, chili recipes, salads, or as a quick and easy weeknight side dish.
Picking A Good Squash
When choosing butternut squash at the store or your local farmer's market, here are a few things to look for:
- The color: I always make sure the squash is uniform in color and has a solid orange-peach tone all the way around. If it has spots of green color then that could mean that it was picked too early and is not ripe yet.
- The surface: I also try to stay away from squash that has large dents, cracks, or big bruises on it. This could mean that it was mishandled or damaged at some point.
How To Cut Butternut Squash
Here's a step-by-step guide (with pictures) on how to peel and safely cut a butternut squash:
Step One: First, start by cutting the top and bottom end off of the butternut squash.
Step Two: Peel the butternut squash making sure to remove all of the outer skin and the thin white inner skin layer.
Step Three: Cut the squash in half horizontally removing the top half from the bottom half (the bulb).
Step Four: Now cut the two large pieces in half. Then use a spoon to scoop out the seeds from the bottom bulb. At this point you will have four large sections.
Step Five: Lay each large section of squash on it's flat cut side then slice into large strips. Now dice the strips into cubes depending on your desired size and thickness.
Step Six: Try to keep the cubes roughly the same size, but it doesn't have to be perfect. Now you have plenty of diced butternut squash that you can easily roast in the oven, add to soups and chili, or freeze and save for later!
Helpful Tips!
- Peel the butternut squash using a vegetable peeler and make sure to peel all the way down to the vibrant orange color of the squash. This often means I'll go over a section twice when peeling the squash.
- To make things easier, cut the top half of the squash off from the bottom (bulb) half of the squash. The bottom bulb is where the seeds are stored. Doing this step just makes it easier and safer to slice the squash in half.
- Dice the butternut squash into ½ to 1-inch cubes depending on your preference. It doesn't have to be perfect but try to keep them roughly the same size. This is very important when you're making something like Roasted Butternut Squash.
How To Store Butternut Squash
If you're not going to cook your butternut squash right away, you can store the whole (uncut) butternut squash in a cool, dry, and dark area for 1-3 months! Avoid storing it in the refrigerator. I oftentimes just store it in a cool area on my countertop away from the stove and away from any direct sunlight.
Once the butternut squash has been peeled & cut, store any leftover squash in an airtight container or storage bag in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Or you can place the butternut squash cubes in a freezer safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
How To Cut Butternut Squash
Ingredients
- 1 butternut squash
Instructions
- Start by cutting the top stem and the bottom end off of the butternut squash.
- Next peel the skin off of the squash with a vegetable peeler. Sometimes I will go over one area twice with the peeler until I can see the vibrant orange color of the squash.
- Now cut the squash in half horizontally removing the top half from the bottom half. The bottom half of the squash is called the bulb.
- Cut the two large pieces in half again which will leave you with four pieces. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds from the bottom bulb.
- Lay each large section of squash on its flat cut side then slice into large strips. Now dice the strips into cubes. You can do small cubes or big cubes. Use your cut butternut squash in soups, chili, or roast them for a quick dinner side dish!
Leave A Comment