What's the best way to prepare BUTTERNUT SQUASH w/o STABBING yourself??!

[MissyBabee]

First time i've ever bought a butternut squash - giving to DD for one of her 'first tastes' - and, despite considering myself quite into cooking, I stood there and thought, what am I supposed to do with this?!

So, I sliced it in half, then quartered it, then in half again (it was a pretty big one), and then peeled the thick hard skin off. Then diced, now steaming.

BUT... surely there's an easier way to prepare it? I'm amazed I didn't slice my hand off, the way the knife kept slipping as I peeled it.

Anyone? How do you prepare your butternut squash??

I know this - I read it somewhere just yesterday - if you boil it for 5 or 10 mins in its skin (I guess chopped a bit forst) then the skin peels off really easily.

Peel it first with a normal veg peeler then cut into lumps - you have to do two rounds though as the peeler only takes off a thin bit.

Fantastic - thank you!

This is why I love MN!

A happy missy

I peel mine with a cheese slicer it's much easier.

what's a cheese slicer, ledodge?
is it like a twin prong fork with a bit of wire across the top??

mine looks like this

I roast min whole for about 30 mins then once cooked the skin comes off really easy.

You can cut in half, scoop out seeds, wrap both sides in cling film and microwave for about 8 mins. Then you scoop out the cooked flesh. Just make sure you have a tea towel to hold it when you take it out!

agree with mrs b - a veg peeler

agree with mrs b - a veg peeler

i obviously really agree then!

no don't veg peel, halve, scoop out seeds, smear with a litthe oil and roast for around 30-40 mins..

...and while your at it pop in a pumpkin, (easier to peel) cube and bash some garlic (still in skin)put in roasting tray with a drizzle of oil. When it's all done liquidize with some chicken stock and you have a fantastic soup healthy and delicious.

just shove it in the oven whole and roast it

takes about 40 mins at around 180-200C (just bake it till you can poke a knife or fork into it and it feels soft)

then you can cut it open easily and scoop out all the nice bits

none of this faffing about with knives malarky

ah, that's a cheese slice! thanks ledodge.

mmm, that soup sounds lovely rebelmum [yum]

thanks for all your tips. will give them a go next time around. dd loved it pureed by the way