NutritionDoc

Who does not love butternut squash? But who loves to peel, seed, chop, and cook it? That is why so many people just do not bother.

Even though they are missing out on the squash's sweet, moist richness, 5 grams of fiber in every half cup, and payload of vitamins A & C, it is just too much trouble.

Make that WAS too much trouble. At Trader Joe's and a growing number of food stores, you can now buy Diced Butternut Squash that comes already peeled, cut, and ready to go . . . into the oven, into a stir fry, into a soup or risotto, into some cannelloni or manicotti.

To keep it simple, just slice open the bag, dump into a pot of boiling water or a microwave safe dish, and cook until tender. then drain, mash, and season with maple syrup, cinnamon, and a touch of fat free half and half if you want it creamy. What used to take an hour has turned into 10 minutes, tops.

You pay more for diced than you would for whole, and the bags do take up room in your fridge. But it is well worth the shelf space.

The same goes for bags of Trader Joe's Diced Harvest Medley or other chains' cut and ready to cook veggies. Most come with cooking instructions. Be mindful of the expiration date on the bag.  It does not get much simpler.