Cutting Rutabagas

Help!  I have difficulty getting rutabagas cut into pieces.  I have peeled and cut the ends off but it is difficult cutting thru the whole vegatable - does anyone have a tip how to get this done?

I don't think there is an easy way to cut rutabagas. I use my largest chef knife, slice a little off one side to level the rutabaga, start the cut, then move my fingers and  push on top of the blade with a flat hand and push on the handle. I hope this helps.

Thank you for responding.  I ended up putting one in a bowl, covered with water and steamed for about 5 minutes on medium in the microwave.  Knife went thru much easier.  I didn't want to risk cutting myself - I am a terror with knives.  I will see if this changes the taste once I complete cooking with the roast.

That sounds like a great idea! I will have to try that at Thanksgiving. Thank you for the tip.

Rutabegas are terrible to peel and cut just like those heavy winter squashes. Someone is selling a wooden board with a knife attached that cuts down on heavy things like a giant cleaver. Clever but sort of an occasional use sort of tool. If I was Martha Stewart I would have one!

I remember my father splitting a huge Hubbard with a hand axe. I have since read a hint that said to put the squash in a big paper bag and drop it onto concrete to break it into pieces. Lovely!

PLEASE -- NEVER, EVER USE A KNIFE THAT IS TOO BIG FOR THE TASK AT HAND!!

Using "your biggest chef knife to cut a rutabaga, is like using it to cut a pea"!!! Try using it to peel an apple!!!

Big is not always better!! You can peel it after it is semi-cooked-zapped-or ---

Again - PLEASE be careful when using knives!!! Imagine functioning without fingers!!  

kitzer:

PLEASE -- NEVER, EVER USE A KNIFE THAT IS TOO BIG FOR THE TASK AT HAND!!

Using "your biggest chef knife to cut a rutabaga, is like using it to cut a pea"!!! Try using it to peel an apple!!!

Big is not always better!! You can peel it after it is semi-cooked-zapped-or ---

Again - PLEASE be careful when using knives!!! Imagine functioning without fingers!!  

 

I think you misunderstood me. I don't peel with the chef's knife I cut the rutabaga up with the chef's knife. The rutabagas I get are about 6-7 inches in diameter. I don't think using a 12 inch chef's knife is out of the question. Plus, I have big hands and I feel very comfortable with this knife. I only use it for big jobs. I have about 30 knives that I use regularly.I normally use my 8 inch chef's knife, but I bring out the big guns for the big jobs. I hope this clears up any misunderstanding.