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Packaged Squash

Is pre-peeled, pre-cut squash an acceptable substitute for fresh?

There's no question that cutting, peeling, and seeding a winter squash can be a bit intimidating. We wondered if we could use use packages of peeled and sliced squash now available in the market not only for our risotto, but also for other squash dishes. In a word, no. First, the packaged squash lacks the seeds and stringy fibers that contribute to the flavor of our risotto and squash soups. But even for recipes that don't use the seeds, we found the squash to be usually dried out and woody, too.

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