When cutting up butternut squash, I wash any dirt off and I place it on my cutting board. I take my large butcher knife and cut 1 inch slices off by holding the knife handle and tapping the back of the knife tip with my kitchen hammer until the slice is off.. It is best to use a butcher knife that the metal knife blade extends all the way through the handle. The 1 inch slices are then easy to peel with a peeling knife after.