Do you take a pass on all of the amazing butternut squash recipes on Pinterest and in magazines because pre-packaged fresh squash is too expensive or you don’t know how to prep a whole squash yourself? Then let me show you how to easily peel and seed butternut squash that does not involve microwaving the squash first. All you need is a sharp knife.
For years, I always wondered if people really ate squash. I mean…weren’t they just used for decorations in the Fall? The only squash I had ever eaten was at Thanksgiving and it came in pureed frozen blocks from the freezer section! Now that I know how to actually peel these odd shaped squash, I make them as often as I can.
I like to buy the largest butternut squash I can find. And I buy two so I can have lots of seeds to roast. But that is just me.
Start by cutting the squash in half crosswise where the larger bottom half of the squash starts narrowing toward the top. Then cut a thin layer off the top of the squash, where the stem is. That will give you a flat surface to steady the top half of the squash on as you cut.
Start cutting thin slices of skin off the sides of the squash, working all the way around. Cut the skin off both the top and bottom halves.
Cut as little of the flesh off with the skin as you can. That is the edible part we want to preserve.
When you have finished cutting the skin off the sides of the bottom half, slice off the bottom of the squash so it sits flat. Then cut the peeled piece in half to get to the seeds inside.
Next, use a large metal spoon to easily scrape the seeds and fibrous strands out of the squash. Use your fingers to “comb” the seeds from the fibers and then you can roast them. Discard the fiber stuff.
And there you have it, all done and ready to be sliced and diced for your recipes. Enjoy!
When you are done, if you want to roast your squash seeds, you may enjoy this easy recipe for Spicy Squash Seeds.
