topic Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash? in Kitchen

Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

Ladybug724 — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 15:34:32 GMT

The kids and I grew butternut squash this year. We love making butternut squash fries! They're even better than sweet potato fries, honestly.

But what's an easy way to peel and cut them? They are really thick and difficult to peel and cut. I have a good knife and it still is not easy!

Any tips?

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

Sooner — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 15:49:23 GMT

@Ladybug724 BE CAREFUL! Honestly? I've never found them easy but be sure they do not roll! That's my biggest tip.

I'm sure there are videos, but you need a good stable sturdy knife for sure! And SOME of them you can use a veggie peeler to help with the skin, but some are too hard for that.

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

PA Mom-mom — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 16:00:20 GMT

@Ladybug724 I agree with @Sooner , you need a large, sturdy and sharp knife for sure. If you have a Groovetech or santoku knife to release easily from the sticky insides, use that. I cook butternut squash at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I cut off the stem and cut off the "bulb" from the neck. Then I peel the neck with a knife or a peeler. After that I cut the bulb in half and scrape out the seeds. Then I peel it. If the "bulb" is small and the neck is thick or long, you might not need to use the "bulb." Make sure you have a firm surface and grip. Keep your fingers away don't let it roll!

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

Carmie — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 16:17:42 GMT

We peel and cube a lot of pumpkin every fall for the freezer.

I would not be without my Titan peeler. I bought one many years ago on QVC and it has been one of the best kitchen gadgets I have ever purchased. I like it so much, I bought two more. I have three of them.

Amazon sells them and sometimes I see them at Walmart.

The peels just glide off like butter and they are safe to use. I have never cut myself. The blades last forever. I use mine almost everyday for potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, apples, etc.

I just cut the pumpkin or squash in half, remove the seeds and peel and cut the flesh down to the size I need.

Give the Titan a try. It normally comes with two tools. I use the peeler only and have never used the julienne tool that comes with it. I have seen the peeler sold as a single, but not for a while.

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

knittykitty — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 16:22:54 GMT

I make butternut squash soup a few times in the winter. I buy the cubed up squash from the big box store. problem solved, LOL

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

Mistreatedbycs — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 16:31:34 GMT

@Ladybug724

My tip is BEFORE you cut or peel anything, even an apple,

Make sure you create a FLAT surface so your fruit or vegetable will not slip.

If you peel top down, cut the bottom of the squash,

if you peel side to side, cut a small piece off to have a flat surface.

Avoid slippage with a towel underneath, silicone mat or anything that is not slippery.

It's the "slips" that move the knife and that's an easy way to cut yourself.

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

RedTop — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 16:52:04 GMT

@Ladybug724

Use the same cutting technique as if you were cutting a pineapple.

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

jackthebear — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 16:53:55 GMT

@Ladybug724 wrote:
The kids and I grew butternut squash this year. We love making butternut squash fries! They're even better than sweet potato fries, honestly.

But what's an easy way to peel and cut them? They are really thick and difficult to peel and cut. I have a good knife and it still is not easy!

Any tips?

this is one thing where it's worth paying to have it done for you!

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

HLP — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 17:26:49 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@Ladybug724 BE CAREFUL! Honestly? I've never found them easy but be sure they do not roll! That's my biggest tip.

I'm sure there are videos, but you need a good stable sturdy knife for sure! And SOME of them you can use a veggie peeler to help with the skin, but some are too hard for that.

I bought my first one this Fall. Cut the bottom and top off, it was easy then to sit it up and cut. I had a recipe followed it to a tee, it came out perfect and was beautiful to look at. Baked in the oven, didn't have to peel it. Took two bites, and threw it out. I love acorn squash, but thumbs down on butter nut. Sorry, just had to tell this.

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

RollTide2008 — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 17:35:06 GMT

With my hands? No thank you. I buy it already cubed.

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

wadesmom — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 18:02:12 GMT

Generally I have found it easier to put a squash in the microwave for a few minutes (2 to 5 depending on the size, variety etc) and then to cut it up. It is easier to get the knife through the rind. It sounds delicious. Good luck!

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

Sooner — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 18:06:41 GMT

Easiest way? Split it and bake it! Dig out the squash when it is done! Pour on a tiny bit of maple syrup, add sauce and eat or use!

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

skatting44 — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 18:54:49 GMT

Sometimes, I peel it using a potato peeler and then cut up in pieces to broil /roast or cook in a skillet

I also bake in the oven wrapped in foil with water in the pan , then cut and scoop out the soft butternut squash .

you can take it and steam it in a electric roasting pan, then cut open and scoop out the squash

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

CritterKeeper — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 19:00:14 GMT

If I have a difficult time with the thick skin, I use my electric knife.

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

Scooby Doo — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 19:41:12 GMT

I love it caramelized. Cut in chunks, put butter, brown sugar and cinnamon on it. Bake until tender.

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

Ladybug724 — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 20:21:43 GMT

Thank you all for your replies!

I totally forgot that I bought an electric knife recently, I'll give that a try!

I knew I could count on my board friends!

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

RespectLife — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 20:23:28 GMT

Chain saw

Just kidding....actually, both Wegman's and Tops will cut it for you. I have it done all the time. Esp at Weg, they have tons of staff on in the back kitchens.

Harder at Tops, understaffed all the time....rarely find anyone!

Just have to ask someone in produce....they take it in the back and return it all wrapped up on a tray.

We grew our own last year...so I think my DH did use a hacksaw on it come to think of it.

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

Mistreatedbycs — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 21:29:29 GMT

@RespectLife I was just hitting the "reply" on another thread you commented on and poof it's gone, I don't know if I have to read faster or you have to type faster..........oh too funny.

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

novamc1 — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 22:09:18 GMT

@Ladybug724

It's far more easy to buy butternut squash cubes in the grocery store produce department.

But when I want to cut an acorn squash in half, I set it on a clean towel on the floor, get a rubber mallet out of the tool box, position a large butcher knife across the squash and whack the knife with the mallet. Usually cuts the acorn in half with one whack.

Saves the potential emergency room visit if I tried to halve the squash any other way.

A rubber mallet might work just as well with a big butternut, if you insist on the DIY method.

Re: Any Tips on How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash?

Ladybug724 — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 22:28:42 GMT

@novamc1 wrote:
@Ladybug724

It's far more easy to buy butternut squash cubes in the grocery store produce department.

But when I want to cut an acorn squash in half, I set it on a clean towel on the floor, get a rubber mallet out of the tool box, position a large butcher knife across the squash and whack the knife with the mallet. Usually cuts the acorn in half with one whack.

Saves the potential emergency room visit if I tried to halve the squash any other way.

A rubber mallet might work just as well with a big butternut, if you insist on the DIY method.

@novamc1 I agree it's easier to buy it already peeled and cut, but like I said in my original post, the kids and I grew butternut squash in our garden so I was just looking to see if anyone had some easy hacks for cutting it.