How to Prepare Butternut Squash

I LOVE winter squash.   This is my favorite way to prepare it.  It's a little hard to get it open, but otherwise, it's pretty easy, and SO delicious.
1. Heat oven to 350
2.Using a large knife, cut the squash in half length-wise.   Spoon out the seeds.
3.  Fill the seed hole that you've created with butter (a big hunk) and brown sugar.  Fill 'er up!
4. Generously salt and pepper the cut surfaces.
5.  In a baking dish, put about an inch of water.  Place the squash in cut side up.

6. Wrap tightly with foil.

7. Bake until soft- usually 1 - 1 1/2 hours, depending on the size of the squash.

8.  If you have time, let cool.  If not, try not to burn yourself.  First, spoon out the yummy brown sugar mixture into your serving bowl.  Then spoon the squash into the same bowl, scraping it from the skin.  Mash together.  Serve and enjoy!

This same method works great with acorn or banana squash as well.  Cut the banana squash in slabs.  The banana squash won't have a hole for the butter and brown sugar, but you can just put it all over the top.