Butternut squash is one of the great joys of the fall, but peeling it is also one of the worst chores. The rock hard skin is basically impenetrable. Trying to slice through the squash and peel the skin off is so difficult, we're all too often tempted to just buy pre-cut squash at the store.
Pre-cut squash, however, tastes so much worse. It's so bland that every time we use it we feel like we're eating tofu and swear that we'll never go pre-cut again. And then we face that damn skin again. Want to get out of this soul-crushing cycle? We've got a food hack so simple we don't know how we've never tried it until this fall. What we're about to tell you may change your life -- or at least your butternut squash dilemma -- forever. Ready?
Microwave your squash before peeling it.
This easy step will save you hours of terror before approaching your squash and however many excruciating minutes it usually takes you to peel your squash. The microwave not only softens and loosens the skin, making it fall off more easily. It also cooks it slightly, which means you don't have to roast it quite so long, which is an added bonus in our book. Here's what to do:
1) Tell your squash it can forget about giving you a hard time. This go around you're taking control.
2) Poke holes in the squash with a fork.
3) Slice the top and bottom off the squash.
4) Stick the squash in the microwave for three and a half minutes. (You could go a little longer if you want.)
5) Let the squash cool slightly and then peel the skin using a vegetable peeler or knife. Delight at how easily the skin comes off.
6) Cut the squash open and scoop out the pulp and seeds.
7) Chop the squash into cubes or slices, depending on how you're going to use it. See below for some awesome butternut squash recipes. 
That's all, folks.