Butternut squash is one of those oddly shaped veggies that one may wonder how to cut up. I like pre-cut butternut squash like those Zig-Zags from Trader Joe’s. The fun shape and name excites my kids to no end, especially when I pop them in the oven for some Butternut Squash Fries! Of course, cutting a butternut squash at home gives you much more bang for the buck. It’s so simple and can be done in less than 10 minutes!
Butternut squash is the perfect orange vegetable to eat your rainbow with. Not only does its natural sweetness appeal to my kids, butternut squash is also super healthy. This orange vegetable contains lots of beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. It improves eye health and boosts immunity! It’s the perfect vegetable during this coronavirus pandemic! Speaking of the pandemic, if you’re trying to extend the amount of time between grocery shopping trips, this vegetable is hearty enough to last for a couple of weeks in a cool, dark place.
Cutting your own butternut squash also gives you flexibility in what you’re making. To make fries, cut the butternut squash into matchsticks. To have multipurpose butternut squash available for whatever your whim may be, dice the squash into cubes. Toast the seeds and add to some homemade granola, like Simple Honey Walnut Granola!
How to Cut Butternut Squash
Equipment
- cutting board
- peeler
- big knife (i.e. Chef's knife)
Materials
- 1 butternut squash washed and dried
Instructions
- Get a clean cutting board, peeler, and knife ready.
- Chop off the ends of the butternut squash with the knife.
- Use the peeler to peel the skin off the butternut squash. As you peel over and over certain sections, the orange color of the butternut squash will shine through. This is good and indicates that you've removed all the tough fibrous skin that is hard to eat.
- Cut the "bulb" off the butternut squash.
- Cut the cylindrical section in half. Cut the spherical section in half.
- Remove the seeds from the hemispheres.
- The seeds can be roasted! Save in a bowl and wash away any fibers attached before roasting.
- The cylindrical sections are perfect for butternut squash fries! Cut lengthwise.
- Then cut each piece lengthwise again to the fries width you desire.
- If not making fries, you can make cubes by cutting across the lengthwise pieces.
- The spherical pieces can be cut the same way.
