How to cut coarse-skinned vegetables in half

Winter squash, like winter squash, is difficult to cut, with its nearly impermeable skins and odd shapes. Use a Chinese cleaver and hammer or sledgehammer instead of a chef’s knife that can slip. The squash will be fresher and cheaper if you cut and peel it yourself. But for convenience, many markets now sell pre-cut butternut squash. Follow these steps:
1. Place the squash on a cutting board.
If necessary, place a damp kitchen towel under the cutting board to help secure it.
2. Place the cleaver on the squash with its blade running lengthwise from stem to end.
3. To make the first cut, hit the top of the blade with the hammer, striking several times until the cleaver cuts the gourd completely in half.
4. Using an ice cream scoop or tablespoon, remove all seeds and fibers and discard.