Tuesday's Tip of the Day: Cutting Butternut Squash like a Pro!
Butternut squash is quite possibly one of my all-time favorite vegetables. Whether I roast, sauté, puree or garnish with them, I simply cannot get enough! Before going to culinary school and working in the culinary industry, I always bought the pre-cut variation as quite frankly, all the work was done for me and I could eat them faster. Just looking at a butternut squash can be quite intimidating and knowing where to even begin can quickly deter anyone from venturing there. I am here to tell you that buying whole butternut squash is not only cheaper, fresher and more rewarding, it actually tastes better!
When you buy pre-cut anything, for that matter, you don’t know who cut it, when it was cut, how it was handled and what they did to it to keep it from getting slimy as it sat on the shelf waiting for you. Have you ever had pre-cut butternut squash and it had an almost slimy texture and smelt a little, well, funny? This won’t happen when you start preparing your own vegetables and know exactly the date, hour and minute in which they were prepared.
1. Selecting: When selecting a butternut squash, look for one that is about the size you will need. The squash shouldn’t be too soft at the stem or bottom end and shouldn’t have any gashes or cuts on the sides. Some can be odd shaped, so try your best to find one that will make the preparation stage easier on yourself.
2. To begin:
1. Cut a flat surface from the bottom and top of the butternut squash so it can easily stand without wobbling.
2. Standing the butternut squash straight up, cut directly across the middle. Using a sharp knife, carefully carve away the skin from the “flesh.” Repeat this same process with both halves.
3. Once the squash is trimmed, cut the squash into desired size pieces and voila, you have beautifully fresh prepared butternut squash at the ready!
Now that you know how to prepare butternut squash, why don’t you pick one up and prepare a delicious homemade meal to share around the table together with family and friends!
Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!
Sincerely,
Tiffany Lewis
Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!