How do you microwave a butternut squash?

Question

Hey Y'all, I just got a new winter and summer squash recipe in which the directions say to pierce and cook the squash in the microwave until barely tender. I'm using a butternut squash in the recipe, but I've never cooked one in the microwave and I need to know how long it might take to get to barely tender. Has anyone ever nuked a squash? How long do you think it would take? I know how to cook them in the oven, but I think this is supposed to sqeed the process because the recipe is to saute afterward. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I cook butternut squash in the microwave all the time.

You can poke holes in the big end (where it's hollow) then cook for 8-10 min or so for "barely tender" (you can turn them over and reverse their direction, halfway through if you want). But you'll still end up with two problems... the small end will take longer to cook because the flesh is solid and thickest there. And secondly, the outside skin will be re-e-eally hot for awhile and hard to hold on to while you scoop out and cut the flesh into bits to saute.

So generally now, I just cut the flesh up and microwave only that (not cutting the whole squash... that's kind of difficult and dangerous). You could do the same thing, just don't microwave so long for "barely tender."

Before nuking, I peel the skin off down to the orange with a peeler (I like the Y type, but the regular type will work too).. you can lay the squash on a dish towel rather than trying to hold it with one hand if it's large.
Then I lay the naked squash on my cutting board and cut it into thick slices (disks) and remove the seeds when I get to them (here you could cut them into the shapes you want for sauteing, or you could do that after nuking). Then place them in a baking dish (covered) and microwave for 10 min or longer. (I usually then mash up with a fork and serve with butter...yum.)


Good luck!

Diane B.

Answer 2

Microwave Butternut Squash

Answer 3

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RE:
How do you microwave a butternut squash?
Hey Y'all, I just got a new winter and summer squash recipe in which the directions say to pierce and cook the squash in the microwave until barely tender. I'm using a butternut squash in the recipe, but I've never cooked one in the microwave and I need to know how long it might take to...

Answer 4

Pierce it so it doesnt explode--cook on a lower power level(about 6 or 7, this cooks it more evenly) cook 2 to 3 minutes, then poke it with a knife, if it still seems hard, cook longer till the knife goes in fairly easy. Times vary with all microwaves as they vary in power from 600 to 1100 watts.

Answer 5

First you take the butter and squash it all over the nuts. Then you put it in your microwave for ten minutes. When it is done cooking you can eat all of it that you want to.

Answer 6

simple add butter salt and cover it in the microwave cook for about 5 min check it with a fork to see how tender it is and add more time as needed

Answer 7

I haven't uses a microwave for 15 years. They are very bad for you. Throw it out. You'll thank yourself later. Stick with the oven. If it's just in a recipe, that is, it's going to be mushed up, just boil it, or give it a stir fry with water in the ol' wok with the lid on... won't take long at all.

Answer 8

thanks for the answers!