How to Cut Acorn Squash with Step-by-Step Instructions

There are so many varieties of squash for you to choose from. One such variety that goes unnoticed is the acorn squash, mainly because most people feel intimidated about cutting it. The acorn squash has a hard skin and ridges along the exterior, making it difficult to cut and cook.

In this article, we will show you how to cut acorn squash easily and efficiently—and without hurting yourself.

What you will need to cut acorn squash

Before you chop away, you will need a few tools to get started.

• A cutting board
• A sharp long chef’s knife
• A serrated knife
• A vegetable peeler
• A wet towel
• An Acorn Squash

Prepping acorn squash before cutting

Place the cutting board on a wet towel to prevent it from slipping when you cut the squash.

To prep the acorn squash, cut off the 2 ends of the squash using a sharp knife. Cut about ½in off both ends. This way, you can place the squash on the cut ends and prevent it from rolling away and causing injuries.

Cutting an acorn squash in half

Follow these steps to easily cut the acorn squash in half:

• Place the squash on the cutting board with the sliced side down.
• Use a sawing or rocking motion to cut the squash into 2 halves. The squash may be too hard for you to chop right through the center. Instead, cut through a quarter of the squash, turn the squash around and cut through on the other side.
• You can also use a rubber mallet to tap the inserted knife (in the rind). This will split the acorn squash.
• Once you have the 2 halves, use a spoon to scoop out all the seeds and the membrane from the cavity. You can discard seeds or save them for roasting.

How do you cut an acorn squash?

You can cut acorn squash into slices, wedges, rings, and cubes. And you don’t have to peel the squash for most recipes as the rind is edible and tasty.

Acorn squash slices

Simply place half the acorn squash on the cutting board, seed side down. Slice across the ridges into slices about ½ to ¾in thick. The thinner the slices, the faster they will cook.

Acorn squash wedges

Place 1 half of the squash seed side down on the cutting board, with the ridges vertically. Using a sharp knife, cut lengthwise along the ridges into wedges.

Acorn squash cubes

Take acorn squash wedges and lay flat side on the board. Cut across the wedge into cubes or large chunks.

Acorn squash rings

To cut acorn squash into rings, you need to cut the squash into 2 halves crosswise. Scoop out the seeds from both the halves and then cut through 1 half crosswise in slices. Continue cutting crosswise until you reach the other end of the squash. Cut rings as thick or thin as you like, usually ½ to 1in thick.

How to peel acorn squash easily

Want to learn how to soften acorn squash before cutting? Here are the steps to peel an acorn squash easily by softening the skin either using the boiling method or the microwaving method:

Boiling to remove the skin

• If cutting or peeling an acorn squash makes you uncomfortable, you can soften acorn squash before cutting by placing a whole squash in boiling water for 15 minutes.
• Remove the hot acorn squash and put it in cold water for 5 minutes to cool off, or wait until the squash has cooled down before attempting to peel it.
• Dry the squash with a paper towel to ensure that there is no slipping.
• Using a knife or a serrated peeler, slice off the softened rind, starting with the ridges then moving into the valleys. You can use a spoon to dig out the peel from the valleys.
• Once completely peeled, cut off the 2 ends and cut the acorn squash as you like.

Microwaving to remove the skin

• Pierce the skin with a fork throughout the acorn squash. This helps the squash breathe in the microwave.
• Microwave the entire squash on high for about 2 to 4 minutes. Depending on the size of the squash, you can increase microwaving time at 1-minute intervals. The skin of the acorn squash should be soft when done.
• Remove the acorn squash from the microwave and let it sit for a few minutes till it cools and you can handle it.
• With a sharp knife, cut the 2 ends of the squash so that you have a flat end on which you can place the squash.
• Using a serrated peeler, peel the ridges first and then the valleys. Move from the top of the squash to the bottom. Or peel halfway and then turn the squash around to peel again.
• The squash is now ready for you to cut any way you like.

How to peel (without heating) and dice acorn squash

Like acorn squash, but don’t know how to dice it? Here are the steps you can follow to peel and dice the squash for recipes like roasted acorn squash.

• Cut off the top and the bottom of the squash and place it cut-side down on the cutting board.
• Using a pointed knife, cut down along each of the valleys of the acorn squash and cut into wedges. Continue cutting all around the squash.
• Once you have cut the squash into wedges, use a serrated knife to drag/cut along the area where the seeds are lodged and remove all the seeds. Do this for all the wedges.
• Use a vegetable peeler and peel the skin off the outside of the wedges.
• Once the wedges are peeled, used a knife to chop across the wedges into smaller pieces or cubes.

Start cooking with acorn squash

Now that you have mastered cutting an acorn squash, you are ready to create and cook any kind of recipe that requires acorn squash. Looking for fresh produce ingredients? Start by shopping at Instacart.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Acorn Squash (1 each)

Vegetable Peeler (1)

Organic Acorn Squash (1.5 lb)

Wooden Chopping Board (13 oz)

Acorn Squash (1 lb)

Acorn Squash (per lb)

Instacart

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