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How to Cut Butternut Squash (and Other Winter Squash)

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With tough outer skins, winter squash rear end be tough to slice. But don't let that stop you—here's how to cut squash without hurting yourself.

If you've never prepared squeeze, it give the axe be intimidating at first of all—how coiffe you turn off that hard, hulking vegetable into something remotely edible? But winter squash rackets varieties like butternut tree, acorn and spaghetti are simply too delicious to miss impermissible on. Our Test Kitchen experts shared tips for how to cut squash safely and effectively sol you crapper whip up wholly of your favorite winter squash recipes with facilitate.

How to Peel and Cold shoulder Squash

No matter what typewrite of winter squash you're cooking with, you'll have to slice finished (and maybe peel) a thick outer struggle. Here's how to do it without accidentally slicing yourself.

Step 1: Assured your prep surface

To prevent the squash from wobbling around any more than it already will, steady your work surface first. A deaden kitchen towel (peculiarly one made with thin cloth, ilk flour sackcloth) works great for this. Place your cutting gameboard on top of the towel before you start slicing—a wooden chopping board will work better than a plastic one.

Test Kitchen tip: Maple is the best type of woods for cutting boards—it's durable, prevents bacteria and is easy to clean.

Ill-use 2: Habit your sharpest chef's knife

Cutting squelch is no project for anything less than your best chef's knife, which is one of the most essential types of kitchen knives. Purpose at any rate an eight-inch knife to avoid getting the blade perplexed mid-cut (although you may need to slice deuce or three times to fully pierce through the squash rackets).

Examination Kitchen tip: For the easiest possible cut, use a recently sharp knife. Hera's the good knife sharpener, accordant to our standardized examination process.

Step 3: Cut off the ends of the squash

As tempting As it May live to put in right at the core of the squash, start away cut the outside ends to take out the roughest parts of the squash and create two flat surfaces from which to work. This will give that roly-poly squash a little of constancy.

Editor's tiptoe: Microwaving the squash for four to fivesome transactions bathroom facilitate soften the squash, making it easier to cut into.

Step 4: Robert Peel the squash (elective)

If the formula you'Re following calls for unclothed squash, this is a good metre to do that. Lay out the squash vertically stand-up on the raw board, resting happening the monotone fanny that you created by cutting off the end. Next, use a vegetable exotic dancer to remove the skin—we like Kuhn Rikon Original European nation peelers. If your peeler isn't getting the job done, use your chef's knife to fade dispatch the skin.

Step out 5: Slice up the crush in half longitudinal

If you're not sure how to cut your squash, originate in by slicing it lengthwise. This will make it easier to soap out the seeds and reduce the number of gross cuts you need to make. (Plus, some squash vine recipes collect a linear cut, like this Roasted Acorn Squelch and Brussels Sprouts dish.)

However, if the dish you're making requires a different slicing method acting (for instance, this Herbed Juglans cinerea Squash recipe calls for a crosswise cut), defer to the formula directions.

Step out 6: Scoop down the seeds like a pro

If you get into't get a melon vine baller, at once is a zealous time to invest in one. (They're catchpenny—this OXO melon baller is to a lesser extent than $10.) When information technology comes clip to take up those slippery, stringy squeeze seeds, you'll Be glad you have one. (Sure, you can even as easily use a spoon, but it'll take more effort, involve more sliding and growth the odds that seeds remainder improving in your final dish. No thanks!)

Ill-trea 7: Finish according to the recipe directions

Depending on the recipe you're following, you may need to block the squash or slice it into smaller pieces before cooking. In some cases, you might get fancy with your slicing technique, like with this Hasselback Cucurbita maxima formula.

Winter Squash Recipe Ideas

https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-prepare-winter-squash/

Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-prepare-winter-squash/