![]() This is the most common acorn squash, which can be found in most grocery stores, especially when it is in season during the fall. Often acorn squash halves are roasted with butter, and sometimes they are dressed with sweet maple syrup or brown sugar. Source: apple_pathwaysĬompared to other winter squash, the acorn has relatively thin skin and light orange flesh. The stringy flesh is perfect as a pasta substitute as the name would suggest. This is a fast grower which reaches maturity in about 80 days, compared to most other winter squashes that take 90 days and above. It is purported to have a higher resistance to powdery mildew. This variety is yellow with green streaks and resembles Delicata squash. They have a bright orange color, and compared to other yellow spaghetti squash, they have a higher level of beta carotene. This variety produces small 2-3 lb squash, which is perfect for a single serving. The large, oblong, yellow variety can weigh up to 4-5 lbs per squash. This is an excellent option for gardeners with limited space since it is a bush type rather than a vine type and is suitable for container growing on a patio or deck. The cooked squash is equally delicious with the addition of just some butter, salt, and pepper. This yellow flesh is commonly used as a vegetable-based substitute for spaghetti, hence the name spaghetti squash. The spaghetti squash is known for its yellow flesh, which can be pulled into strands with a fork when cooked – much like spaghetti. Otherwise, the seeds are completely edible and delicious when roasted! Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti squash is popular for its noodle-like fibers. Saving seeds that have potentially cross-pollinated can result in a toxic squash with higher-than-normal levels of cucurbitacins which can make you sick! So it’s best to grow them at a sufficient distance from one another if you plan on saving seeds. It’s worth noting that members of the Cucurbita family readily cross-pollinate, which can affect the seeds for the following year. Their seeds are large and germinate easily, which makes them a great choice for kids or beginner gardeners. When properly cured, some ripe winter squash can be stored for up to six months. This is where the name winter squash comes from as they are grown through the summer just like summer squash, but they are generally stored for consumption throughout the winter. This gives them a longer shelf life and makes them excellent for longer-term storage. While summer squashes are meant to be eaten young and tender, these are meant to be left on the vine to fully mature. Since they belong to the same family as plants like cucumbers, zucchini, and pattypan, they have similar growth habits and needs. ![]() There are countless winter squash varieties, but for brevity’s sake, we’ll discuss the most popular types of winter squash for the home gardener and cover a few interesting varieties of each type! Summer squash like zucchini may be more widely known and more commonly grown, but winter squashes are the unsung heroes of the Cucurbita family.
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