This Trick Makes Cutting Squash Way Easier So You Can Make These 6 Dishes

If you, like me, are often seduced by the beauty of a whole squash in the produce section—only to get home and risk your fingers trying to break it down—this one's for you (and me, because, same).

With the larger varieties, like spaghetti squash and butternut squash, two steps can be particularly difficult: 1) cutting to split it in half and 2) peeling. But this three-minute hack can help make both of those tasks a whole lot easier—and safer—so you can get cooking all those delicious squashy recipes you've bookmarked for fall (or any of the recipes at the end of this article).

Instead of battling with the squash immediately, take a moment to prepare it so your peeling and chopping become more leisurely—by softening the squash first. The simplest way to do that? Pop it in the microwave. But before you just go putting the whole squash in, there is a bit of prep to be done. Here's how to do it:

While it may seem like a bit of extra work—if you've ever struggled to halve a spaghetti squash or to peel a butternut squash, this is the trick to try.

If you're thinking: Great, now that I'm not afraid of them anymore, how should I use these giant veggies in my meals? Have no fear—we've got some suggestions.

So whether you're grabbing the go-to butternut or branching out more this fall, squash should definitely be on the menu—and now you can make sure you're prepping it safely, too.