How do you peel a pumpkin or butternut squash without taking a finger off? (soup, vegetable)

[Audioque]

I love both squash but they're so darn hard to peel without inflicting some injury to myself. Usually for soup I would stick it in the oven for an hour or so then spoon it out for my puree. But what if I want them in cubes? Yesterday I was trying to make pumpkin fries and it took me at least 20 minutes to work on half of a small pie pumpkin. There has got to be a easier way.

[Beretta]

Here you go: How to Peel and Chop Butternut Squash | MyRecipes.com

You can also peek at youtube; there are some videos there as well.

[tpk-nyc]

I get pre-cut butternut squash cubes from Trader Joes and roast them with a little oil, salt and pepper until they're caramelized. It's super easy and delicious. You can also use a mix of root veggies like parsnips, rutabaga and carrots.

I normally enjoy doing veg prep and have a great set of knives, but some things are not worth the hassle. If you want to do it yourself, be sure to get a top quality vegetable peeler and a heavy chef's knife. Butternut squash is far easier than pumpkin.

By the way, many people don't know that there are cooking pumpkins and ornamental pumpkins. Anything that looks like a jack-o'-lantern is an ornamental pumpkin and not meant for pie. I prefer to make butternut squash pie rather than pumpkin because I like the flavor better. The trick with either is draining the flesh over a mesh strainer and then sautéing very lightly to remove as much water as possible.

[Cliffie]

George Osawa recommends that you use them skin and all. But I have not been this daring; I just choose something with a very smooth skin, like butternut, if I ever want to peel it before cooking.

[elacklen]

Get a Y peeler!

[gentlearts]

I cut off the ends, then stand it up on a board and go from top to bottom with a vegetable peeler. Clean it up with a paring knife. It's the job I always give to the unsuspecting person who wanders into the kitchen and asks if they can do anything. LOL

[mrs.cool]

How about butterCUP squash!?? Those are crazy to try and cut the ends off!! But I love them!

[Ohiogirl81]

Butternut is easy, with a vegetable peeler

Pumpkin ... I just bake it until the skin falls off.

[Shae Connelly]

I always microwave a butternut squash for a few minutes and it peels much easier. Now what I need to figure out is a waxed turnip (rutabaga). I don't know how my Mom did it, those suckers are tough.

[elnina]

^^^ I just peel it with a potato peeler, or a sharp knife. It's not that tough at all...