how to cut up a giant winter squash?

[andiesenji]

I use an inexpensive curved PRUNING SAW which has teeth that are designed to easily catch on hard surfaces and cut deeply and cleanly.

 

I cradle the squash in a large folded towel so it won't roll.  I have posted about this  several times in the past.  I used to grow a lot of winter squash, some quite large  blue and red Hubbards.

In fact, I think I posted about this last year.  

 

[rotuts]

i use an inexpensive stainless steel chinese cleaver.

 

any cleaver will do.  but to protect your fingers

 

use s mallet of some sort and tap ohm the cleaver after it gets imbedded .

 

take your time.  your finger tips will be happy and stay in tact.

[TicTac]

....just drop the beast on the floor if you do not want to tackle it whole, from there, very manageable smaller pieces can be handled with a chef's knife.

[dcarch]

12 hours ago, jmacnaughtan said:

I'm curious about how you'd peel a squash one-handed after that video.

 

But @Nancy in Pátzcuaro, whichever method you choose, I'd recommend getting some protection between the back of your blade and your index finger when you get around to cutting it. There are few things more irritating in the kitchen than squash blisters on your cutting finger.

 

No need to. You can eat the rind. Very soft after cooked.

 

dcarch

[Naftal]

12 hours ago, jmacnaughtan said:

I'm curious about how you'd peel a squash one-handed after that video.

 

But @Nancy in Pátzcuaro, whichever method you choose, I'd recommend getting some protection between the back of your blade and your index finger when you get around to cutting it. There are few things more irritating in the kitchen than squash blisters on your cutting finger.

Or in my case, blood.

[Katie Meadow]

10 hours ago, Naftal said:

Or in my case, blood.

Now I remember why I don't buy large winter squash. Acorn is about all I can handle. Or, on rare occasions, butternut, which I ask my husband to cut in half, although he who rarely cooks anything has more kitchen accidents than I do. He bakes fabulous bread though, which is quite safe, so that's perfect.

[chileheadmike]

This will eventually end up in the "I will never again" thread.

[Nancy in Pátzcuaro]

40 minutes ago, chileheadmike said:

This will eventually end up in the "I will never again" thread.

You could be right! Except I know we'll get another huge squash next year.

[liuzhou]

Thankfully, all my local markets and supermarkets do the job for you and sell you what you need for dinner. Of course you can buy the whole critter if you want to, but few do.

[JoNorvelleWalker]

The current issue of Cook's Illustrated has a tip for cutting a hard squash:  use a channel knife lengthwise to cut a grove; place your knife in the grove to split the squash.