Cutting gem squash without risking amputation - how ?

Seriously said:
COOK THEM FIRST!
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That's such terrible advice. Then you can't do anything with them because they're already cooked and plus they're boiling hot so you need to cool them down and reheat them.

Okay what I did the other day was, just cut the buggers with a good knife. It really wasn't all that hard. Then I steamed them over a pot of water till they were soft. Then filled them with stuff and roasted for about 10 minutes. Lovely.
 
oh whenever i see him post he says something silly :p

its not hard to cut up gem squash ...i just did it over the weekend

a sharp knife and push down ...clean them and boil them

no need to cook them and wait for it to cool and bla bla
 
AntiGanda said:
They might explode in the microwave.
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might ???

a couple of years back i decided to nuke a pair in the microwave.
i took the precaution of making a couple of holes in each.
popped them into the microwave, set the timer and jumped into the shower.

a minute or two later i hear a gunshot.
i come flying out of the shower and look out of the windows - nothing.
i go past the kitchen.

the one gem squash had exploded, bursting the microwave oven door open and coating the walls and ceiling with a fine yellow mist.
 
If you have not already. Invest in a good, sharp knife and sharpener. Even the best blades lose their edge.
 
Just use a serrated knife, and saw it like its a piece of wood.
 
Batista said:
Just use a serrated knife, and saw it like its a piece of wood.
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No no no no no. You just go in with the sharp end of your kitchen knife, then drive a wedge downwards and turn the squash as you slice. It's just one continuous movement.
 
Gezza said:
If you have not already. Invest in a good, sharp knife and sharpener. Even the best blades lose their edge.
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i assume there are different varieties of gem squash.
the one in question has a magnificent buttery texture and taste - but it's skin is like titanium.

i have sharp knives, really really sharp heavy knives - which is how i nearly lost a finger.


there has to be a better way
it is nothing less than a cruel and inhumane punishment allowing millions upon millions to sweat and toil trying to cut a bloody vegetable in half !
 
Hold them gem next to the wall so it cant roll away when putting pressure on it, so keeps it in place, then use a serrated knife, i cannot see how this is a difficult job
 
cerebus said:
No no no no no. You just go in with the sharp end of your kitchen knife, then drive a wedge downwards and turn the squash as you slice. It's just one continuous movement.
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Thats one way to slice a finger, that gem squash skin is very slippery.Serrated knife to start the cut then sharp knife to finish it.
 
Batista said:
Thats one way to slice a finger, that gem squash skin is very slippery.Serrated knife to start the cut then sharp knife to finish it.
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A really sharp knife will make a clean entrance from the beginning which is much safer than hacking back and forth with a serrated blade.

This is a similar technique for butternut which is much more treacherous than gem squash:
[video]http://www.marthastewart.com/968024/how-cut-butternut-squash[/video]
 
heh 4 pages of how to halve a gem squash

<3 mybb

anyways I just get the point of the knife in move the knife down so that it is horizontal and beat it against the table like I'm busy halving braai wood with an axe. :p
 
I assume you are trying to cut it across the growth and that is why you are having problems. I.E. cutting with the stem part on the side. If you cut from the stem down to the other side along the grain of the skin. You will find it much easier and it is no different in the end result.

If you still struggle use one of them old style biltong cutters. Wedge the squash under the blade and push down.
 
Myrrdin said:
I assume you are trying to cut it across the growth and that is why you are having problems. I.E. cutting with the stem part on the side. If you cut from the stem down to the other side along the grain of the skin. You will find it much easier and it is no different in the end result.
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aaah
therein may lie the evasive answer
 
grantza said:
aaah
therein may lie the evasive answer
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We learn everyday don't we?

Ok. So I though how difficult can it be. So I just tried cutting a squash with both a sharp and serrated knife in both directions suggested without much success and experienced your concern first hand.

Firstly the round gem moved and slipped when trying to cut, a saw action did not help. I used a cloth in circular fashion around the squash for support, it did help a bit but the danger was still there. So I gave up and asked the kitchen scientists for advise and she gave me the correct and safer method.

You use the sharp point of the knife in a downward direction to pierce and penetrate the tough skin of the squash and then its easy peasy to just carry on cutting in a circular motion all around. I tried it and it works a charm. You still need support to hold the round squash stable during the initial action.

So I guess its squash for supper tonight after the experiments.
 
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