You don’t have to peel acorn squash for soup, and leaving the skin on is actually one of the easiest ways to enjoy this cozy cold-weather favorite. The skin of an acorn squash is thin enough that it softens completely during cooking, so there’s no need to wrestle with a peeler or risk a … Read more
You don’t have to peel acorn squash. The skin is completely edible and becomes soft and delicious when cooked properly. Whether you peel acorn squash is really a matter of personal preference and the recipe you’re following. So if you’ve been asking yourself “do you have to peel acorn squash,” the short … Read more
You don’t have to peel a butternut squash before roasting. That’s right, the skin is edible and actually becomes soft and delicious when roasted properly. But if you’ve been wondering whether you have to peel a butternut squash before roasting, the answer is no, though there are some situations where peeling makes sense. … Read more
You don’t have to peel a yellow squash. The skin of a yellow squash is completely edible, and for most recipes, leaving it on is actually the better choice. It’s tender, mild in flavor, and holds plenty of nutrients that you’d otherwise toss in the trash. If you’ve ever stood in your … Read more
You do not have to dry squash seeds before planting, but it definitely helps if you want strong, healthy seedlings. Many gardeners plant squash seeds straight from the fruit and still get decent results, so drying is not strictly mandatory. That said, drying squash seeds before planting gives you more control over germination, … Read more
You do have to cook spaghetti squash before eating it. Unlike zucchini or cucumbers, spaghetti squash has a hard, fibrous rind and dense flesh that simply isn’t pleasant or safe to eat raw. Cooking transforms that tough interior into those famous noodle-like strands, which is the whole reason people love this squash in … Read more
You don’t have to cure spaghetti squash at all. In fact, curing spaghetti squash is optional, and most people skip it entirely without any problems. But if you’ve been asking yourself “do you have to cure spaghetti squash,” the short answer is no, though there are a few good reasons why some gardeners … Read more
You don’t have to cook yellow squash, but cooking it transforms this versatile vegetable into something truly delicious. While you can absolutely eat yellow squash raw, cooking brings out its natural sweetness and makes it tender enough to enjoy in countless recipes. If you’ve been wondering whether cooking yellow squash is necessary or … Read more
You do not have to cook butternut squash before freezing it. That is the short answer and the one most people are happy to hear. But while you don’t have to cook butternut squash before freezing, how you freeze it can change how well it holds up later. If you have ever … Read more
You don’t have to cook butternut squash if you don’t want to, because it’s perfectly safe to eat when prepared certain ways without heat. That might sound surprising if you’ve only ever had it roasted or pureed into a soup. But butternut squash is a versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed raw, steamed, … Read more