Squash is an extremely nutrient-dense food, meaning it is chock-full of vitamins and minerals but low in calories. There are many creative ways squash can be incorporated into meals, including desserts, soups, salads, preserves, and even as a substitute for butter! Pierce hard squash with a sharp knife two or three times then microwave for 1 – 1-1/2 minutes to make it easier to slice open and deseed.