If you’re just starting out in the kitchen or have never tackled a butternut squash before, it can feel intimidating to figure out where to begin. Here are 10 easy steps to walk you through the process of peeling and cubing a butternut squash:
Step 1: Using a very sharp knife, remove both ends of the squash.
Step 2: Starting from the center midline of the squash, peel outwards towards one end. Keep rotating around the squash until that entire half of the squash is peeled.
Step 3: Turn squash around and repeat on the remaining half that still has a peel on it.
Step 4: Slice squash in half right through the midline.
Step 5: Take the more rounded half of the squash, turn it on its end, and slice it in half right down the middle.
Step 6: Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and pulp. You can either save the seeds – rinse them and roast them in the oven – or discard them, preferably in the compost.
Step 7: Turn each half of the rounded end of the squash over so that it rests flat on the cutting board. Cut into 1-inch slices.
Step 8: Cut each of the slices into 1-inch cubes.
Step 9: Turn the remaining half of the squash on its end. Very carefully, slice down the length of the squash to create 1-inch thick slices.
Step 10: Cut each of these slices into 1-inch strips and then cut each strip into 1-inch cubes.