I suppose that is a possibility. I've never had it happen to me, thankfully. This particular squash, on the side touching the ground, there seemed to be a hole from something. Maybe that helped.

Perhaps a cordless drill with a small bit would help. :)

I had a bunch of butternut squash to prepare for the freezer. I used an electric knife to cut and peel it before I baked it and froze. Sure beats hurting the hands with a regular knife.

Suz in Iowa

One year we grew them and they were enormous! Had to get a wheelbarrow out to get them from the garden to house. Then how to get into them? Axe was useless and we finally resorted to the drop it from the second story method :-) We had about 50 of them and donated most to the Mission for Thanksgiving dinner. Still had enough in the freezer for a year.

Don't know if this tip will work for Hubbard squash, but it works for acorn squash - microwave for one to two minutes, let cool briefly, then cut with large butcher knife. You may want to rotate the squash after one minute in the microwave. Works like a charm for acorn type.

UUUm! What a biggie squash - love squash, and you just reminded me I have a butternut in my cupboard waiting for the right moment - which I think will be this afternoon, since it's so cold I want an excuse to turn on my oven. Thanks!

Smart thinking!!

I love this squash. Very old variety you don't see it in stores but at farmers markets or grow yor own. Delishious!
We always called them Blue Hubbards but may be a different variety.
I like the idea of smashing them off the deck to break them for roasting!
peace

EDIT: For those who try to peel BN squash or any squash for that matter. Save some time and don't.

Just cut a small piece off the largrer end so it is flat. Stand it up and use a good heavy butcher knife to cut through the length of the squash.

Scoop out the seed ball. place the squash cut side down on oiled baking pan and bake at 350 or 400 degrees untill a fork goes through it. The meat of the squash will just scrape right out of the skin after it cools enough to handle and you don't even have to mash it.

Love squash and treat it right . Don't boil it!
peace