Butternut Squash - the bane of my life. >_>

RedVelvetCurls
RedVelvetCurls Posts: 304 Member
edited October 7 in Food and Nutrition
I love it, don't get me wrong, but what puts me off it preparing it. I can't peel that bad boy to save myself. How do you guys do it?
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Replies

  • Ashleysh22
    Ashleysh22 Posts: 204 Member
    i often buy frozen butternut squash. i know, kinda lame - but soooo much easier!
  • FitFunTina
    FitFunTina Posts: 282 Member
    I bought a butternut squash once. Epic fail. lol.

    I have noticed that you can buy them from the produce section (near the salad mixes) already cut up. May do that the next time I want to cook it.
  • SueGremlin
    SueGremlin Posts: 1,066 Member
    It's SUCH a pain, isn't it? I cut it in half, scoop out the seeds and roast at 350 for about 45 minutes, face down in a half inch of water. Let it cool and scoop out the yummy parts.
    You can also microwave it, which makes the skin separate easier.

    It's great to mash it with a little bouillion.
  • SueGremlin
    SueGremlin Posts: 1,066 Member
    i often buy frozen butternut squash. i know, kinda lame - but soooo much easier!
    Totally not lame. I can never find it in any grocery store I go to. I would buy it by the truckload if I could!
  • alib510
    alib510 Posts: 24 Member
    if you're making it into soup, you don't have to peel it, just remove the seeds and chop it up!
  • rileamoyer
    rileamoyer Posts: 2,412 Member
    I poke holes in it and put it in the micowave like a baked potato. When soft I split it open to cool the scoop. Or I bake it in the oven, and do the same. It tastes better from the oven, but the micro makes it soooo easy.
  • tjslangille
    tjslangille Posts: 1
    I have a special knife to cut it in half. Then I scoop out the seeds and peel it with a vegetable peeler. It then gets chopped up into chunks and slices along with chopped onion and I bake it in the oven with a bit of water, curry, coriander, and turmeric, salt and pepper. Sometimes I just bake it with the onion and add Parmesan cheese. Yummy!
  • besav11
    besav11 Posts: 5
    I love squash!! Most of it! I will try the roasting idea thanks!. I NOrmally can just deal with the long part of the squash. I could live off it!!
  • RedVelvetCurls
    RedVelvetCurls Posts: 304 Member
    Ah, I like to roast it in strips, just the skin makes it awkward for me! I guess I can cut it into strips, roast a little, remove the skin when it's soft and roast some more?
  • SueGremlin
    SueGremlin Posts: 1,066 Member
    if you're making it into soup, you don't have to peel it, just remove the seeds and chop it up!
    Huh? I don't get this.
  • sms1986
    sms1986 Posts: 113 Member
    if you're making it into soup, you don't have to peel it, just remove the seeds and chop it up!
    Huh? I don't get this.

    The skin is edible.
  • hanky1
    hanky1 Posts: 39
    I love butternut squash! You don't need to remove the skin or seeds, just chop it up and roast them all in together. The seeds come out all tasty and crunchy and the skin is nice too. Makes life a lot easier!
  • Raemonda
    Raemonda Posts: 1 Member
    nice sharp knife, cut off a chunk and then use the knife to whip off the skin.....plus i think it counts as some kind of workout cos it does make my arm kill!!
  • therebeccajones
    therebeccajones Posts: 12
    I get my boyfriend to cut it for me! ;)
  • gail1101
    gail1101 Posts: 9 Member
    Forget peeling it. Cut it in half, season, bake in oven at 350 degrees until tender. Scoop out the inside when squash is tender. I usually bake a small piece of chicken at the same time (no sense using the cooktop when the oven is already on). Add a salad w/o dressing (or low fat) and you have a great meal. Hope this helps...try it!!!
  • jo_marnes
    jo_marnes Posts: 1,601 Member
    I slice into discs (like you would a pineapple). Then I slice the skin off that disc and chop squash into chunks. And repeat. Possibly not the quickest method but it works for me!
  • crunchybubblez
    crunchybubblez Posts: 387 Member
    I don't peel it either. Just scoop the middle.
  • SueGremlin
    SueGremlin Posts: 1,066 Member
    if you're making it into soup, you don't have to peel it, just remove the seeds and chop it up!
    Huh? I don't get this.

    The skin is edible.
    No. Way. Seriously?
    You learn something new every day.
  • sd101483
    sd101483 Posts: 419 Member
    I used to have that problem, too, but, Veggie peeler! Seriously works wonders. :) Then just chop it how you like it, or, leave it as a whole chunk - whatever floats your boat!
  • Lazytoad2001
    Lazytoad2001 Posts: 45 Member
    Hi

    Skin is edible, have a google for the Jamie Oliver butternut squash recipie I think he roast it with skin on and everything :)

    K x
  • Lillemeddy
    Lillemeddy Posts: 94
    I just hand it to my boyfriend and he peels it with a potato-peeler. Cuts it in two, then little squares - and we bake it in the oven. Before him though, I'd buy the frozen cooked squash that is usually next to the spinach in grocery stores. It's yummy, but more baby food looking that anything. Lols.
  • shakybabe
    shakybabe Posts: 1,578 Member
    I buy it already sliced and just put it in oven! .. I'd never tried it before I started this diet and love it... I love sweet potato chips too and I'd never had those before either.
  • chrissi_k
    chrissi_k Posts: 175 Member
    when I make butternut squash soup I first cut it in big slices and then I will cut the skin off with the sharpest knife I have.
  • charlotte66
    charlotte66 Posts: 248 Member
    i use 2 knifes one big ol one to chop in half the half again twice then my sharp little everyday knife to peel :D
  • fisher110
    fisher110 Posts: 29 Member
    Just made the best soup - Butternut Squash! Use a really sharp knife and cut the squash into fourths. (I use 3 squash to make a large pot.) Clean out seeds and bake until soft. While baking, sautee a whole garlic (about 10 sections) and a medium sized onion in low fat butter (about two or three tablespoons). Add 1/2 cup fat free chicken broth. Puree the squash and onion/garlic mixture. Add remaining broth (about 3 cups) to mixture, with 1/2 cup fat free 1/2 and 1/2. Cook on low about an hour. Add pepper (and a little salt or reduced sodium salt) to taste. If you like Butternut Squash, you will love this! So healthy for you and delicious. I put in small containers and froze, so I can pull one out now and then!
  • EmmaDSmith
    EmmaDSmith Posts: 1
    Cut it into sections before peeling it helps! Also, if you bake it just cut it into sections and bake with the skin on. Then just scoop the flech out when you eat it! :)
  • emcohen
    emcohen Posts: 46
    My girlfriend and I love gourds! We buy all sorts of squash and pumpkins. Last night I made pasta with pumpkin sauce....so good. But I'm always in charge of chopping the butternut squash. We use a vegetable peeler to skin it.

    People were right about the skin being edible. When they are baked, the skin gets caramelized a bit and gets really good.
  • TheGoktor
    TheGoktor Posts: 1,138 Member
    If I'm not making it into soup or roasting it (in both cases I leave the skin on), I use one of these Y peelers to get rid of it - so much easier than trying to use a knife!

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/OXO-Good-Grips-Y-Peeler/dp/B00004OCIU

    And if you cut it in half lengthways first, you get a good starting point at the edges for the peeler!
    When they are baked, the skin gets caramelized a bit and gets really good.

    So true! I love baked squash skin....'tis most nomsome! :tongue:
  • kimodonovan
    kimodonovan Posts: 12 Member
    Well I cut it up quite regularly

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbecyb7TgDE

    I use a paring knife to cut off the skin, as my veg pealer is not strong enough
  • katrinasilva
    katrinasilva Posts: 1 Member
    I am in love with butternut squash right now. Here is a recipe I found from whole foods.
    Baked butternut squash and apples

    1 sm butternut squash, about 2lbs (peeled, cleaned, cubed). (i justed used my carrot peeler to remove the skin and then sliced it, scooping out the insides).
    2 apples (cored, peeled, cubed) (I used 3 apples, helps add some more natural sweetness)
    1/2 c brown sugar
    1/4 c cold butter or margarine
    1 Tbsp flour
    1Tsp salt
    1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
    1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
    1/4 c chopped pecans (I put 1/2 cup)

    Place squash and apple cubes in 9x13 baking dish. Blend the remaining ingredients with fork until crumbly. Distribute over squash and apples. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top.
    Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes.
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