Like most winter squash, the butternut squash has a particularly tough skin that can make peeling difficult at best. Although you can buy peeled and precut squash in some grocery stores, it is sometimes expensive. To make peeling easier, cooks discovered that cooking the squash for a few minutes in the microwave can soften the skin. Once the skin is removed, prepare the squash by baking, roasting or steaming for a warming side dish or as an ingredient in an entree.
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Things You'll Need
Chef Knife
Peeler Or Paring Knife
Cutting Board
Step 1
After the squash is cooked, let the squash stand in the microwave for 10 minutes before peeling. This gives it a chance to cool down and makes it easier to handle.
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Step 2
Remove the squash from the microwave and place it on a cutting board.
Step 3
Slice the tip and base off the squash with a chef knife and rest the squash on the larger, base end.
Step 4
Peel the squash with a paring knife or sharp peeler by slicing down from top to bottom. It might help to tip the squash toward you while you work.
Tip
Cut the squash lengthwise down the middle and remove the seeds prior to cooking. Before you microwave the squash, poke a few holes in the skin with a fork to let steam escape and to prevent it from exploding.