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Easy Step-by-Step: How to Peel and Cube Butternut Squash Safely and Quickly

Easy Step-by-Step: How to Peel and Cube Butternut Squash Safely and Quickly

It's butternut squash season! Whether in soups, stuffed dishes, gratins, or mashed, this versatile vegetable shines in countless recipes.

Peeling butternut squash can be tricky and risky, often leading to slips and cuts. Fortunately, as a home cook with years of experience prepping seasonal produce, I've mastered a simple, no-fuss technique shared by a trusted culinary friend. No oven, microwave, or boiling required—just follow these straightforward steps.

Easy Step-by-Step: How to Peel and Cube Butternut Squash Safely and Quickly Easy Step-by-Step: How to Peel and Cube Butternut Squash Safely and Quickly

What You'll Need

  • Cutting board
  • Sharp kitchen knife
  • Quality vegetable peeler

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place the butternut squash on its side on the cutting board.

2. Slice off the top (including the stem) and bottom ends.

3. Firmly hold the squash and peel the skin using the vegetable peeler.

4. Stand the peeled squash on its curved side and slice it in half lengthwise. Then, cut each half vertically into quarters.

5. Use a spoon to remove the seeds and stringy pulp. Your squash is now ready to dice!

6. Position the quarters flat-side down on the board and cut into your desired cube size.

The Result

Easy Step-by-Step: How to Peel and Cube Butternut Squash Safely and Quickly

Perfect peeled and cubed butternut squash—easy, fast, and safe.

Now it's ready to cook. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Pro Tips from Experience

Easy Step-by-Step: How to Peel and Cube Butternut Squash Safely and Quickly
  • For tougher skin, poke holes with a fork and microwave for 2 minutes to soften before peeling.
  • Check out this microwave method for spaghetti squash too.
  • For quicker cooking (roasting or sautéing), cut into 1/2 cm cubes—adjust size to your needs.
  • Turn peelings into veggie chips or compost them along with ends, seeds, and pulp.

Best Way to Peel Butternut Squash

Easy Step-by-Step: How to Peel and Cube Butternut Squash Safely and Quickly

Invest in a high-quality rotary or Y-shaped peeler for effortless results. If unavailable, halve horizontally, place cut-side down, and slice off the skin with a knife.

How to Select the Best Butternut Squash

Follow these time-tested tips: Choose deep beige (not green or shiny), uniform without blemishes, heavy for its size, and hollow-sounding when tapped.

Cooking Butternut Squash Ideas

Easy Step-by-Step: How to Peel and Cube Butternut Squash Safely and Quickly
  • Try Yotam Ottolenghi's roasted butternut squash with lentils and gorgonzola—organic works best to keep the edible skin.
  • Roast cubes at 180°C until tender, or use a slow cooker (whole, 3-4 hours high or 6-8 low).
  • Steam halves with water per your steamer's instructions.
  • Sauté cubes in 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat for 10-15 minutes.
  • For soup, blend into a creamy coconut curry version.

Storage Guide

  • Whole: Cool, dark spot for 1-3 months. To discover: How To Store Your Fruits & Vegetables For Months WITHOUT A FRIDGE!
  • Cubed: Fridge in airtight container up to 3 days. To discover: How to Store Your Fruits and Vegetables Properly? Discover the Practical Guide.
  • Freeze: Tray-freeze first, then bag for up to 3 months. To discover: Do you know how long you can keep food in the freezer?

Your Turn

Have you tried this foolproof method? Share your results in the comments—we'd love to hear!