Squash Prep 101: The 3 Essentials 

If you don’t read anything else, make sure you know these essentials:

1. Use the heel (the back part) of the knife blade.

It’s thicker and stronger, and lets you apply more force with way less effort.  

2. Choke up on your knife with a proper pinch grip.

Similar to choking up on a baseball bat or golf club, this technique gives you maximum control and cutting power. We’ll explain more below!

3. Keep your knife sharp.

We know we’re a broken record on this, but that’s because a sharp knife really does make cutting easier and safer.  

Three Tools That Make Squash Prep Easy

1. 6.5” or 8” Chef's Knife.

A bigger blade means more leverage and power needed for getting through tough veggies.

2. Non-Slip Cutting Board.

Stability matters. Whenever you’re slicing something round, you want your board to stay put. 

3. Y–Shape Peeler.

For varieties where you need to peel off the skin, this tool is by far the most efficient.

BONUS: A squash, of course. You can’t make squash dishes without one!  

Pro Tips to make Squash Prep a Cinch

1. Why The Back Of The Blade Does The Heavy Lifting

If you look closely, you’ll notice that the blade of a Chef’s knife is thicker at the heel. That’s by design – it’s made for heavy duty chopping. So, instead of going at your squash with the middle or tip of the blade, use the heel to get more power without extra effort. 

2. A Trick To Keeping Your Squash From Slipping 

Cutting round or oddly shaped foods can be risky, because they can roll around on you. The trick is to slice a little bit from one side of the squash to make a flat surface. This simple step keeps it steady and your fingers safe. 

3. Get A Grip - How To Hold Your Knife Like A Pro

So let’s get into the specifics. Our Chef Knife is designed with a longer bolster (that’s the part where the blade meets the handle), letting you “choke up” on it for a better hold. While it might feel more natural to grip the handle, moving your hand up and using a firm pinch grip gives you more strength and control. More control means fewer slips and accidents.

4. Make Sure Your Knife is Sharp

Pros sharpen their knives literally every day. But even if you don’t, regular sharpening can be a total game changer. A dull knife means you need more force, which means a greater chance of losing control and cutting a finger instead of a squash. Misen knives do stay sharper than most, but every blade dulls eventually.  If sharpening it yourself isn’t your thing, our Mail-In Knife Sharpening program has you covered.

Guide to Squash Skins: To Peel or Not to Peel

Skin On! 

• Green and Yellow Squash
• Pattypan
• Delicata

Safe to Eat - Totally Your Call!

• Acorn
• Kabacha

Skin Off!

• Butternut
• Hubbard
• Buttercup
• Turban
• Spaghetti