Squashes need to be halved, seeded, and then cut into chunks that weigh about 3/4 of a pound.
4 (3/4 pound) hunks of winter squash, seeded
salt
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
Sprinkle squash halves with salt and place halves cut-side down in a 9 by 13 glass pyrex dish. Add 1/4 cup water to the dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; with paring knife, poke 4 steam vents in plastic wrap. Microwave on high power until squash is very tender and offers no resistance when pierced with paring knife, 20-25 minutes. Using potholders, remove baking dish or bowl from oven and set on clean, dry surface.
While squash is cooking, adjust oven rack to top position and heat broiler. Mix together butter, brown sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt.
When squash is cooked, carefully pull back plastic wrap. Using tongs, transfer cooked squash cut-side up to rimmed baking sheet. Spoon the butter/sugar mixture evenly into each squash half. Broil until brown and caramelized, 5 to 8 minutes, rotating baking sheet as needed and removing squash halves as they are done. Serve immediately.
Cut Squash Safely—Knife and Rubber Mallet
1. Set squash on damp kitchen towel to hold it in place. Position knife on rind of squash.
2. Strike back of knife with rubber mallet to drive knife into squash. Continue to hit knife with mallet until knife cuts through squash.
4 (3/4 pound) hunks of winter squash, seeded
salt
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
Sprinkle squash halves with salt and place halves cut-side down in a 9 by 13 glass pyrex dish. Add 1/4 cup water to the dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; with paring knife, poke 4 steam vents in plastic wrap. Microwave on high power until squash is very tender and offers no resistance when pierced with paring knife, 20-25 minutes. Using potholders, remove baking dish or bowl from oven and set on clean, dry surface.
While squash is cooking, adjust oven rack to top position and heat broiler. Mix together butter, brown sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt.
When squash is cooked, carefully pull back plastic wrap. Using tongs, transfer cooked squash cut-side up to rimmed baking sheet. Spoon the butter/sugar mixture evenly into each squash half. Broil until brown and caramelized, 5 to 8 minutes, rotating baking sheet as needed and removing squash halves as they are done. Serve immediately.
Cut Squash Safely—Knife and Rubber Mallet
1. Set squash on damp kitchen towel to hold it in place. Position knife on rind of squash. 2. Strike back of knife with rubber mallet to drive knife into squash. Continue to hit knife with mallet until knife cuts through squash.
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