Butternut squash is a type of winter squash that is quite large and has a very thick flesh, and is very rich in vitamins A, C, E, and B. If you have limited time but still want to make a dish made from butternut squash, try reading This article! In fact, butternut squash can be processed easily, quickly, and safely using the microwave. If you have extra free time, feel free to save the seeds for a delicious snack.
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Method 1 of 4: Microwave Cooking Whole Butternut Pumpkins
Step 1. Wash the butternut squash thoroughly
Rinse the pumpkin under cold running water, then pat the surface completely dry. This step must be done to clean the pumpkin skin from dust and dirt attached to its surface.
Step 2. Prick the surface of the pumpkin with a fork
As when cooking potatoes, this step is a must to remove the hot steam trapped in the pumpkin as it cooks.
- There is no need to pierce the pumpkin too hard or too deep, because actually the required hole size does not exceed 6 mm. In fact, as far as the pumpkin skin is pierced, hot steam can still escape easily.
- Make about 15-20 holes in the surface of the pumpkin, and leave about a few inches between each hole.
Step 3. Place the pumpkin on a plate, then microwave the pumpkin for 5 minutes
Make sure you only use a heat-resistant dish, and cook the pumpkin on high for 5 minutes. This will soften the pumpkin's texture and make it easier to cut.
Don't worry if the size of the pumpkin is bigger than the diameter of the plate used, after all, the results will still be maximized even in this condition
Step 4. Cut the pumpkin in half lengthwise
With the help of a very sharp knife, slice the pumpkin lengthwise to shorten the cooking time.
When cutting pumpkins, always grip the handle of the knife with your middle, ring finger, and little finger, then use your thumb and index finger to hold the non-sharp parts of the blade. This way can make the cutting process take place in a more controlled and balanced way, than when the handle of the knife is gripped with all your fingers
Step 5. Take the pumpkin seeds, then place the pumpkin with the flesh facing down
If you have extra free time and have an oven, save the pumpkin seeds for a delicious snack later. If not, remove the pumpkin seeds. Place the pumpkin slices with the flesh side down on a heat-resistant dish that is safe to microwave.
Again, don't worry if the pumpkin is larger than the diameter of the plate
Step 6. Cook the pumpkin on high for 5-10 minutes
In fact, the duration of cooking pumpkin is very dependent on the size of the pumpkin used. Therefore, try to check its condition every 5 minutes. If the pumpkin is still undercooked, feel free to re-cook it at 5 minute intervals.
Make sure the pumpkin is soft when pierced with a fork
Step 7. Allow the pumpkin to cool and serve the pumpkin as desired
Microwaved butternut squash is great for making soups, hummus or a healthy snack.
Method 2 of 4: Microwave Cooking Diced Butternut Pumpkin
Step 1. Cut off the top and bottom ends of the pumpkin
With the help of a very sharp knife, cut off the top and bottom ends of the pumpkin by 2 cm; discard that part.
- When cutting pumpkin, don't forget to hold the knife handle with your middle, ring finger, and little finger, then hold the non-sharp part of the blade with your thumb and index finger for a more controlled and balanced cutting process.
- Since the surface of the pumpkin is not flat, don't forget to grip it tightly with the fingers of your non-dominant hand and press the pumpkin with the first joint of each finger, so that it doesn't slide off the cutting board when cutting.
Step 2. Peel and cut the pumpkin in half
Peel the skin of the pumpkin from top to bottom, as you would peel a potato. Remove the skin of the pumpkin, then cut the pumpkin in half to make two pieces, namely the top of the smaller pumpkin and the bottom of the larger pumpkin.
Step 3. Cut the top pumpkin into smaller cubes
Place the pumpkin on a cutting board, then slice the pumpkin into 0.5 to 2.5 cm distances. Make sure the pumpkin is sliced neatly so that the same pattern can be repeated around the pumpkin.
- To make a dice-shaped cut, slice the pumpkin again across the pattern you made earlier. On each side, cut each pumpkin wedge to make 2-3 equal-sized dice. Then, turn the pumpkin and do the same thing until all the pumpkin flesh is cut off.
- Remember, the shape of the dice does not need to be too neat. If there are pieces that are irregular in shape, don't throw them away to reduce the amount of food waste in your home.
Step 4. Cut the bottom pumpkin in half lengthwise
Place the larger pumpkin pieces on a cutting board and cut lengthwise in half.
Use your dominant hand to cut the pumpkin, and make sure that your hand is not wet or slippery to prevent the knife from slipping out of your grip and injuring your other hand
Step 5. Remove the pumpkin seeds
Use a melon baller, ice cream scoop, or regular spoon to separate the pumpkin seeds from the flesh.
Set aside the pumpkin seeds to reprocess them into a delicious snack, if you wish. If not, please throw it away
Step 6. Dice the bottom of the pumpkin
First of all, slice the pumpkin lengthwise to form several pieces that are shaped like the moon. Then, dice each slice with a size that resembles the top of the pumpkin.
Step 7. Microwave the pumpkin for 3-4 minutes, or until it becomes soft when pierced with a fork
Step 8. Mix pumpkin with various favorite dishes
Diced pumpkin is delicious to mix with omelet, pizza, lettuce, or even eat straight without any additives.
Method 3 of 4: Microwave Cooking Butternut Spiral Pumpkin
Step 1. Cut off the end of the pumpkin with a kitchen knife or other very sharp knife
Move the knife back and forth slowly to cut the ends of the pumpkin.
Grasp the handle of the knife with your middle, ring finger, and little finger, then grasp the non-sharp part of the blade with your thumb and index finger. This way of holding will improve your control and balance when operating the knife, as opposed to gripping the handle with all your fingers
Step 2. Peel the pumpkin, then cut the pumpkin in half
With the help of a very sharp knife, cut the pumpkin in half so that one part is smaller than the other.
Save the larger pieces for another recipe, especially since they are difficult to spiral into
Step 3. Cut the pumpkin pieces to be spirally sliced
Lay the pumpkin pieces flat on the cutting board, then split the pumpkin in half to make it easier to fit into the spiralizer.
Spiralizers are sold in different shapes and sizes. Therefore, cut the pumpkin to a size that matches the size of the spiralizer
Step 4. Cut the pumpkin into spirals and put it in a bowl
Use the largest setting on the spiralizer, then transfer the chopped pumpkin into a heatproof bowl.
Step 5. Fill the bowl with water, then close the bowl tightly
Pour 120 ml of water into a bowl, then cover the bowl with heat-resistant plastic wrap.
Step 6. Microwave the pumpkin for 5 minutes
Pumpkin is ready to serve when it becomes soft when pierced with a fork. Don't forget to drain the water in the bowl before serving the pumpkin.
Step 7. Allow the spiral pumpkin to cool and serve immediately
Spiral butternut squash is delicious as a substitute for pasta, topped with toast, or as a side dish.
Method 4 of 4: Using Butternut Pumpkin Seeds
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 177 degrees Celsius
Previously, line the baking sheet with aluminum foil to make it easier to clean later.
Step 2. Clean the pumpkin seeds from the flesh that is still attached
After removing as much of the pumpkin flesh from the seeds as possible, soak the pumpkin seeds in a bowl of water to clean them. Then, dry the pumpkin seeds with kitchen paper.
If there is only a small amount of pumpkin flesh remaining on the surface of the seed, there is no need to clean it
Step 3. Combine pumpkin seeds with oil and spices or seasonings in a bowl
First, put the pumpkin seeds in a bowl. Then, add 1 tsp. olive oil, 1 tsp. fennel seeds (or any other spice you like), and a pinch of salt. Stir all the ingredients until all the pumpkin seeds are well coated with the spices.
Step 4. Sprinkle the pumpkin seeds evenly on the surface of the baking sheet that has been lined with aluminum foil
Make sure the pumpkin seeds don't overlap each other so that they ripen evenly.
Step 5. Bake pumpkin seeds for 15-20 minutes
Once cooked, the pumpkin seeds should turn golden in color.
Pumpkin seeds may explode when roasted. This is perfectly normal, but can be used as an indicator that the beans are ripe and ready to serve
Step 6. Cool the pumpkin seeds before consuming
Seasoned pumpkin seeds can be mixed into lettuce and trail mix, or eaten straight away as an appetizer.
