Steven M

You don’t have to peel squash before sauteing, and in many cases, you actually shouldn’t.   The skin of most summer squash and even many winter squash varieties is perfectly edible, nutritious, and delicious when cooked properly.   So if you’ve been asking yourself “do you peel squash before sauteing,” the short answer is no, … Read more

You don’t have to peel squash before grilling, and in many cases, you actually shouldn’t.   The skin of most squash varieties is perfectly edible, especially when grilled, and it adds texture, flavor, and a ton of nutrients to every bite.   So if you’ve been wondering whether to peel squash before grilling, the short … Read more

You do not have to peel squash before frying, though the decision depends on the type of squash and the texture you want in the final dish.   When you peel squash before frying, you remove the skin, which changes how it cooks and feels in your mouth.   If you do not peel squash … Read more

You don’t have to peel honeynut squash, but you absolutely can if you want to.   The skin of a honeynut squash is thin and tender, especially after roasting, so it’s perfectly edible in most recipes.   If you’ve been wondering do you peel honeynut squash before cooking, the short answer is no, you don’t … Read more

You don’t have to peel squash and zucchini before cooking, and in most cases, you actually shouldn’t.   Their skins are thin, tender, and completely edible, especially when you’re working with fresh, young squash and zucchini from the garden or the grocery store.   So if you’ve ever stood at the cutting board wondering whether … Read more

You don’t have to peel chayote squash before cooking, but peeling it can improve the texture and make certain dishes more enjoyable.   The skin of a chayote squash is technically edible, especially when the squash is young and tender.   However, older chayote squash develop a tougher, slightly wrinkled skin that can be unpleasant … Read more

You don’t have to peel delicata squash before roasting, and that’s one of the best things about this humble little winter squash.   Unlike butternut or acorn squash, delicata squash has a thin, edible skin that softens beautifully in the oven.   So when you ask yourself, “Should I peel delicata squash before roasting?”—the answer … Read more

You do need to wash butternut squash before you cook it.   Even though you’re going to peel it and scoop out the seeds, that tough outer skin can carry dirt, bacteria, and pesticide residue that gets transferred to your hands, your knife, and the flesh inside once you start cutting.   So if you’ve … Read more

Yes, you can peel butternut squash to roast, and many cooks do because it makes the final dish smoother and easier to eat.   But whether you should peel butternut squash to roast depends on what you’re making and how you like the texture.   If you’re asking do you peel butternut squash to roast, … Read more

You do not need to soak squash seeds before planting.   While soaking squash seeds before planting is a popular old-school gardening tip, it isn’t a mandatory step for successful germination.   In fact, soaking squash seeds before planting can sometimes do more harm than good if you leave them in water too long.   … Read more