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a top down view of a peeled butternut squash cut into various shapes on a white cutting board.

How To Cut & Peel Butternut Squash

Chef Markus Mueller
Learn how to cut and peel a butternut squash with minimal waste!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Cooking Skill
Cuisine American, French
Servings 1 butternut squash
Calories 0.5 kcal

Equipment

WÜSTHOF Classic 8" Chef's Knife, Black
1 chefs knife
1 Cutting board
1 vegetable peeler

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Whole Butternut Squash

Instructions
 

  • Begin by cutting off about a quarter of an inch from the bottom and top of the squash. This will give you a nice stable base to work from and will stop the squash from rolling around as you continue to cut and peel it.
    overhead shot of the bottom being cut of a butternut squash on a white cutting board.
  • After the top and bottom have been removed, use your vegetable peeler to carefully remove the tough outer skin. If you have really good knife skills this can also be done with a sharp chefs knife.
    A overhead view of a butternut squash being peeled with a vegetable peeler.
  • Once the squash has been peeled cut the top half of the squash from the bottom 'bulb' section. This top piece is solid squash and does not contain any seeds. It can easily cut into different cuts like strips, cubes, a julienne, or whatever you like.
    A top down view of a peeled butternut squash being cut in half on a white cutting board.
  • Next cut the bottom 'bulb' end of the squash containing the seeds in half. Then use a spoon or small scoop to remove the seeds.
    Overhoead shot of seeds being scooped out of a cut butternut squash over a white cutting board.
  • Cut the now peeled and hollowed out squash into chunks or strips as you please. Larger ½ - 1 inch chunks are great for roasting, or making soup, but the size and shape are entirely up to you!
    Overhead view of butternut squash being cut into chunks on a white cutting board.
  • Once the squash is cut up, use it as directed in your recipe. You can also store the cut up squash in the fridge for up to three days in a large re-sealable bag. The squash can also be frozen.
    Diced butternut squash in a clear re-sealable food grade bag on a white cutting board.

Notes

Softening the squash skin before peeling
  • If you so choose, you can soften the skin of the squash before peeling it. Poke holes in the skin of the squash with a fork or small pairing knife, and then microwave the whole squash for 2 minutes. Let it cool, and then continue peeling the skin.
How to store butternut squash
  • If you end up cutting up more squash then you need, or simply want to do some recipe prep ahead of time, cut squash will last for three to four days if stored in an airtight container or bag.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 0.5kcalCarbohydrates: 0.1gProtein: 0.01gSodium: 0.04mgPotassium: 4mgFiber: 0.02gSugar: 0.02gVitamin A: 106IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 0.5mgIron: 0.01mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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