Allotments 4 All

Is it just me or do others have difficulty cutting into a Mountaineer Squash?  With a kitchen knife it was impossible.  I tried putting it under the large electric saw that we have for cutting timber but it wouldn't fit under it.  I then took it to the vice with a view to taking a hand saw to it but it wouldn't fit in.  ::) ::)
In the end my OH cut through it using a hand saw but he too had trouble keeping it still. 

This year was my first for growing winter squash and I am wondering if other people have this difficulty or whether the squash were not ripe when I picked them.  The insides look perfect though and are a lovely orange colour and the seeds are certainly ripe.  I am beginning to think that maybe I should cook them whole but then they wouldn't be as tasty as cooked in olive oil.   ;D

How do you all get on with them?

 (sigh of relief) it's a squash  ;D!
Got a bit worried reading the subject heading :o :o :o

You could cook it a little to soften and then complete the cooking with olive oil.

I sometimes do the same with butternut squash when I'm feeling tired!!

After some of the things I saw on mountain rescues, that was enough to take me back to some things I'd rather forget!

I can accept that Rob... the Derby force were out collecting at the weekend, they do a great job but it bugs me a bit "Mountain" what's wrong with Fell.. or Moor?
???

drill lots of holes then cut :-)

I have a Chinese cleaver, which I keep very sharp :o

I'm with MT, I have a cleaver that we bought in the Chinese Supermarket. 

Quote from: Merry Tiller on November 20, 2006, 19:11:36
I have a Chinese cleaver, which I keep very sharp :o

Quote from: EJ - Emma Jane on November 20, 2006, 21:51:53
I'm with MT, I have a cleaver that we bought in the Chinese Supermarket. 

Do you give the squash one big hefty smash with it?   :o :o
I would be frightened that I would cut my fingers off.  :-\
Perhaps I should half cook it first to soften the skin as suggested by miniroots.  It sounds less dangerous.   :D

Chinese cleaver here too :D
turnip chopper for emergencies 8)

No, I give it a medium sized chop with the cleaver, then put a bit of weight on it to help it through

keep your fingers out of the way :-)

I had a brief look for a Chinese cleaver yesterday in T J Maxx.  They had several different sorts but I didn't know which one to get.  Any suggestions please on makes etc?

I have no idea what make it is, I went to our local Chinese food wholesaler and got the one that looked about the right size for me, they can also be used to cut things surprisingly fine and accurately

Our local Chinese food shop has loads - surprisingly cheap :)
Good idea to weigh them in your hand like MT says, get the right one for you.

Get a heavy one. It's like a mattock; you want to use the weight for anything like this. The light ones are for very fine chopping.