After a gentle scrub under the faucet, the squash is ready to cut—there's no need to peel it. Besides contributing color and nutrients, the skin helps the vegetable hold together better when cooked. You can also harvest (and eat) squash blossoms.

Do you peel yellow squash before cutting?

Lay the butternut squash on its side on a large sturdy cutting board. ... Repeat by slicing off the bottom 1/2-inch of the squash, and discard. Use a sharp vegetable peeler to peel all of the skin off of the squash, while carefully holding the squash with your other hand. Discard the peel.

Why is squash bad for you?

Things to Look Out For

While the high beta-carotene content in squash can provide many benefits, studies also suggest that consuming too much of this compound can increase the risk of lung cancer. In addition, some types of prepared squash include high amounts of added sugar.