Carefully, with a heavy knife, cut the squash in half, from stem to tip. Remove the seeds with a spoon. On a microwave-safe plate, lay them on their cut surfaces, with the stem ends pointed outward (so the smaller tips don't carbonize). Microwave on HIGH until you can feel a slight "giving" (softening) of the squash when you squeeze it.

ALTERNATIVES:

Turn the halves with their cut-sides upward on the plate.

Place one tablespoon of butter in the cavity of the squash. Sprinkle all with salt and pepper to taste. Added flavor can be gotten with Ms. Dash salt substitute sprinkled over. I personally like Ms. Dash with garlic, in the blue cap bottle. Microwave again until the squash meat can be easily gotten out of the skin with a spoon. At my house, we just serve each of us a half squash and dip-our-own.

Place one tablespoon of butter in the cavity of the squash. Spoon one tablespoon of your favorite fruit preserves into the cavity, also. Microwave as described in the above paragraph. Sprinkle with cinnamon to taste. Microwave again to suit your taste.

Place 1/2 tablespoon butter into the cavity. Spoon 2 tablespoons of your favorite spaghetti sauce in. Salt and pepper to taste. I also use Ms. Dash with garlic on this one. I even sprinkle with cheese (Parmesan or Romano) sometimes. Sometimes I even heat them up with one (only one) small drop of Louisiana Hot Sauce, per half. Microwave again to suit your taste.