Small Vegetables for Microwave Cooking

The microwave is a legitimate cooking tool in a professional kitchen, and using it effectively requires understanding how it works. Microwaves heat food by causing water molecules inside it to vibrate rapidly. Large, dense vegetables such as butternut squash will cook unevenly if left in big pieces, resulting in sections that remain raw at the center while the outside softens. The solution is to peel and cut the vegetable into small, uniform cubes before microwaving. Smaller, consistent pieces allow the energy to penetrate evenly, delivering a thorough and tender cook in a fraction of the time that conventional oven roasting would require. Consistent sizing is the key to consistent results.