🎃 Butternut squash: the easiest to peel

Oct 12, 20250 comments
Easy-to-peel butternut squash

Which squash is easiest to peel? Tips and comparison

Lou Chardin – Editor at Neary
By Lou Chardin Seasonal cuisine 🥗

Quick answer: 🎃 Butternut squash: the easiest to peel! Its thin, smooth skin slides under the peeler, unlike pumpkin or butternut squash. For hassle-free cooking, choose butternut squash, or try delicata squash, which can be eaten with the skin on. Bonus: cut your squash in half and cook it lightly in the oven or microwave for even more ease 🔪😉.

Comparison: which easy-to-peel squash should you choose?

Looking for an easy-to-peel squash for your fall recipes? Good news: butternut squash is the champion 🥇! Its smooth skin is no match for a peeler or vegetable peeler, even when raw. Unlike pumpkin (tough skin, but edible when cooked) or butternut squash (often tough), butternut squash can be prepared in a flash.

Other squashes like delicata squash (thin and elongated) or spaghetti squash are also more tender to work with, but butternut squash remains the most practical for soups, gratins or roasted cubes.

  • 🥇 Butternut : thin skin, straight shape, easy to cut.
  • 🟠 Pumpkin : thick but edible skin (no need to peel if organic!)
  • 🍈 Delicata squash : edible skin, mild taste.
  • 🍝 Spaghetti squash : requires cooking but no complicated peeling.

Quick tip: avoid butternut squash or classic pumpkin if you want to save time in the kitchen… Their skin is really tough! Find more tips in this Odelices article !

My tips for peeling a squash without any hassle 🥒

  • Use a sturdy peeler : on butternut squash, it slides off easily. For squash with tough skin, try a sharp knife, but be careful of your fingers!
  • Preheat the squash : 3 minutes in the microwave or 10 minutes in the oven at 180°C is enough to soften the skin. It becomes much more flexible to peel 🔥.
  • Cut the squash in half : lay it flat, remove the seeds with a spoon (you can also use an ice cream scoop for larger ones!).
  • For the pumpkin : no need to peel, just wash the skin. The same goes for the delicata squash and the Berry sucrine: the skin is eaten cooked and melts into the flesh.

Little extra: if you cook in quantity, invest in a serrated peeler, it's a life changer 😉.

What to prepare with an easy-to-peel squash? 🍲

Butternut squash is super versatile! Here are some ideas for using it:

  • In a mild soup with carrot, cream or coconut milk 🥥.
  • Diced and oven-roasted with olive oil, spices and pumpkin seeds.
  • In a creamy purée with potato and nutmeg.
  • Baked with cheese and a little crispy breadcrumbs 🧀.
  • In risotto or savory pies for a comforting autumn dish.

Tip: Keep the seeds; you can roast them to snack on as an aperitif! If you want to vary things, also discover the Lorraine pumpkin , perfect for rustic soups. For more cooking inspiration, explore our Air Fryer comparison to cook your squash even faster!

What is the easiest squash to peel?

Butternut squash wins the prize! Its thin skin and straight shape make it very easy to peel, even raw, with a simple peeler. It's the ideal squash for those who want to save time in the kitchen without any effort. You can find it here: butternut squash by the unit 🥇.

How to peel a very hard squash?

If the skin resists, cut the squash in half and microwave or oven it for a few minutes to soften it (be careful of the steam when cutting!). Then use a sturdy knife or a good peeler. For more tips, check out this Odelices article 🧑‍🍳.

Can you eat the skin of the squash?

Yes! For pumpkin , delicata squash or Berry sucrine , the skin is eaten after cooking and becomes tender. For butternut squash , the skin also cooks, but it remains a little firm: it's up to you whether you prefer to remove it or keep it depending on the recipe!

Which squash should you choose for quick cooking?

Butternut squash or delicata squash are preferred, as they cook quickly and are easy to peel. Pumpkin from Lorraine is also very practical if you want to keep the skin on. Want to save even more time? Use an Air Fryer to roast diced squash in less than 15 minutes 🔥!

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