Are you a fan of butternut squash? If you are then you will know how much of a pain it is to peel and cut the veg.
But don’t worry as there is a hack which can make it a whole lot easier for you.
For many in the UK, September marks the beginning of soup season. The transition into autumn months signals the arrival of cooler days, making people crave warm, comforting foods.
Butternut squash, with its naturally creamy texture and sweet, nutty flavour, provides an excellent base for soups.
It’s also packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and fibre.
Let’s not forget that it has a high beta-carotene content, which is great for the immune system.
But the tricky part is cutting into the ingredients. Once peeled, the squash also becomes slippery, making it harder to cut into pieces.
However, experts at Britsuperstore have revealed a simple, expert hack for making butternut squash prep an absolute breeze.
Begin by piercing the squash
Britsuperstore said: “Before microwaving the butternut squash, use a fork or the tip of a knife to pierce the skin with several holes. This allows the steam to escape and prevents the butternut squash from bursting in the microwave.”
Microwave the squash
“Place the whole butternut squash in the microwave and heat it on max for between two and four minutes, depending on the size of the vegetable.
“This will soften the skin and flesh slightly, which makes it so much easier to cut!”
Let it cool and peel and cut
“After microwaving, let the squash cool for a couple of minutes. You should now be able to peel and slice. Use a sharp vegetable peeler to remove the softened skin. Chop off the ends of the squash, slice it in half and scoop out the seeds.”
Bonus hack
“If you plan to roast the squash to use in a soup, roast the whole thing first instead of chopping it into pieces. The contents can then be scooped out, which will save you a lot of strenuous chopping time.”
Do you have any food hacks that you want to share? Let us know in the comments below.
