Most of the time, when I think of “hacks,” I think of the make-your-life-easier tips and tricks to which this website is devoted.
But when I see all the winter squash and fresh pumpkins that are now front-and-center in the produce displays at supermarkets and farmer’s markets, the last thing I want to think about is hacking.
As in, trying to hack that gourd into two or more pieces before popping it in the oven. Wielding a sharp knife over a hard round thing is NOT my idea of fun.
Not to mention the fact that baking a supper side dish for an hour or more requires more planning-ahead and surplus meal-prep time than I can usually squeeze into my schedule.
So when I learned this hack for cooking butternut squash, it revolutionized my cooking. Best of all, it works on every winter squash I’ve tried.
I’ve even used it in early November to cook up the pumpkins on our front step that we bought the week before Halloween, but never quite got around to carving into jack-o-lanterns. (See “Mix It Up,” below.)
And not only is cooked squash a super side dish for grownups and kids alike, but it’s also perfect as homemade baby food. That picture at the top of this post would be Essie devouring her squash at dinner tonight, just as she has since she was a baby. That’s how much my kids like this recipe!
So, without further ado,
Easy “Baked” Winter Squash
Servings and time vary based on size of squash: 3-8 servings, 15-30 min. total time
What you need:
- One butternut or other winter squash, approximately 1-3 lbs. (0.5-1.5 kg)
- Glass baking dish or pie plate that is big enough to hold the squash, but small enough to fit in your microwave
- Microwave oven
The basic idea:
- Wash outside of squash thoroughly. With a fork, pierce the squash’s surface at regular intervals. Lay the squash on its side in the baking dish.
- Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes; turn over the squash and microwave another 5 minutes.
- After 10 min. cooking time, squeeze the squash. If it’s soft, it’s cooked; remove from microwave. If it’s still somewhat firm, microwave an additional 5 minutes. If it’s still very firm, repeat step 2.
- Allow the squash to cool, if desired. Slice in half. With a large spoon, scoop out the seeds and strings; discard, or rinse and save for baking as dried seeds if desired.
- Serve as is, or season with one of the ideas below.
Mix it up:
- As noted above, this works with every winter squash (hard squash) I’ve tried: butternut, acorn, pumpkin, etc. – even spaghetti squash. Just be prepared to cook larger squashes for longer than the initial 10 minutes.
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The 1.5-lb. (0.7 kg) butternut I cooked tonight yielded about 2 cups (500 mL) of cooked squash. If you don’t want to eat your cooked squash plain, you have lots of seasoning choices. Salt, pepper, and butter work well for spaghetti squash, as do parmesan cheese and your favorite pasta sauce. Or use a meaty sauce, and you have a main course. Acorn squash is especially yummy with brown sugar sprinkled on top or mixed in. If you have high-quality vanilla ice cream, you can mix a scoop of that into a bowl of hot butternut squash before putting it on the table. Or try cinnamon and sugar, or a touch of ground ginger or cloves plus a little molasses, or a pinch of nutmeg with brown sugar, or even pumpkin pie spice.
Our favorite way to season cooked butternut squash is by stirring in brown sugar. - If you like fall and winter recipes that call for canned pumpkin, you can substitute pumpkin that you’ve cooked ahead of time (or even a different orange squash; butternut squash and “neck pumpkins” apparently make super pumpkin pies). After I’ve scooped out the microwaved pumpkin from its shell, I let it sit in a strainer for a few hours to get some of the liquid out, then freeze it in smaller containers for use in pumpkin dip, pumpkin bread, and other recipes calling for canned pumpkin. Just do a quick pass with an immersion blender or food processor if your recipe needs a smoother consistency.
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I’ve never tried making squash before but your recipe makes it look so easy!
It really, truly is! 🙂
This is so easy to do. Thanks for this. Perfect timing!
I love it made every way. This looks yummy.
You are so welcome! Ours is cooked and chilling until Thursday 🙂
I am so ready to try something like this! I think this season I’m finally going to try it!
Yum! I love squash. It looks overwhelming to cook, but it’s really pretty easy.
Great recipe. We sometimes microwave for a short time to make it easier to peel and cut the squash before baking it.
I never thought of microwaving a squash, but that would work! This looks so easy!
Squash always looks intimidating to me. I think I will give it a try now after reading your recipes and tips!
I have never made anything like this before. It looks like it would be so delicious.
It’s very tasty, AND healthy, AND easy!
WE love pumpkins in my place and every fall we make many different recipes.But this one looks so easy to make. And quick also, need to make it soon.
It is, on both counts – enjoy!
This really look quick, easy and with a less mess. My favourite one is pumpkin squash. At home we love cream soup from these veggies also
Ooh, that is a good reminder that I haven’t made any squash soup yet this fall! 🙂
That reminds me that I haven’t made any squash soup yet this fall! Yes, it is SO easy/mess-free/fast – in fact, I’m cooking more for dinner tonight using this technique…
The microwave makes cooking everything so much easier. Speaking of acorn squash, the other day I cut one in half, stuffed apple crumble inside and baked it for an hour. Amazing!
I keep meaning to try a bunch of recipes like this, only I never have a long enough prep time for dinner, by the time I get the kids home from their after-school activity or off to their evening one…
I’ve never made squash anything before but baking it before mixing it would definitely make it softer and easier! I’ll have to try it.
It is SO fast and easy this way, versus baking it in the oven!
That makes it so much easier! We started making our own pumpkin puree a few years ago by cooking them in the oven. My grandma used to always do her baked potatoes in the microwave with this same method, but I never thought about it for the squash!
It is a real game-changer! I love baked squash both on its own and as an ingredient, but NEVER used to make it when it involved the oven because it always took too long! Now, it’s no biggie. 🙂