Squash
The Amazing Squash!
Ripe Squash has a dull-colored skin, firm shell, and are heavy for their size. Smooth shinny skin is an indication they are not ripe.
Choose from:
- Butter Cup Squash
- Acorn Squash
- Carnival Acorn Winter Squash
- Butternut Squash
- Delicata
- Primavera
Storage
Most varieties can be stored for several months if kept in a cool, dry, dark location. If exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees they will suffer damage, and if exposed to excessive heat the squash will begin to convert their starches too quickly.
It is best to store the squash with part of the stem still attached to help hold the moisture in. They should also not be wrapped when stored.
Uses for Winter Squash
Winter squash are often cooked and eaten on their own simply with salt and butter added. They also go well with other seasonings, such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice.
Some winter squash are sweetened by adding brown sugar, maple syrup and honey.
Winter squash can be added to soups, stews, curries, casseroles, and other squash are also used in pies, muffins, cakes, puddings, and other desserts.
Winter Squash is… Low in sodium, a good source of vitamin A, and high in fiber.
Harvesting Gourds
The best time to harvest a gourd is when they’re done growing and are curing. And how can you tell this?
Simple! You can tell if a gourd is done growing by looking at its stem right next to the gourd. If it has started to shrivel, turn brown and dry, then the gourd is done growing and it can be harvested.
The body of the gourd may still be green, but the dried stem means that the gourd is not receiving any more nutrients from the vine; it is in the process of being “hardened off” and may be harvested.
To harvest, simply cut the stem very close to the vine away from the gourd using a sharp knife or trimming shears. Don’t just twist it off. Leave as much of the stem on the gourd as possible. One reason for this is you may want to use the stem to hang them to complete the drying process.
Gilby’s Squash Varieties
Common Name |
Image |
Description |
Butter Cup Squash |
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100 Days to maturity.
One of the highest quality squashes available. Extra rich and sweet in flavor, the deep orange flesh is firm and smooth. The blocky 6 to 8″ wide x 3-1/2 to 4″ long dark green fruit have a small grey “button” at the blossom end and grow on a full vine. This Burgess strain is the best Buttercup to grow for long-term storage and repeat sales. |
Acorn Squash |
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This is a type of winter squash resembling an acorn in shape and typically measuring up to six inches in length.
Acorn squash can be found in varieties with coloring of dark green, white and gold. The most common variety has a dark green ridge outer skin and a deep yellow-to-orange skin with the traditional orange inner flesh. They are delicious when baked and served with brown sugar, honey and butter, providing a sweet and somewhat nutty flavor. Smaller individual squash are also commonly served whole, stuffed with ingredients such as sausage, bread, vegetable, and seasoning that may have been baked once and then again inside the squash so it is served as a “stuffed squash”. |
Carnival Acorn
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High quality and unique color. 85 Days to maturity.
This is an unusual and colorful hybrid acorn squash. The medium-sized fruit are produced near the crown of the semi-bush plants for easy picking. Their skin is uniquely flecked with shades of green, gold and yellow; each one is different. Carnival stores in fine condition for months with excellent eating quality. You’ll love to grow it and your customers ask for it by name. Note: Color expression is temperature sensitive. Carnival have less yellow and gold and more green when grown during periods of high temperatures. For Decorative Use: |
Butternut Squash |
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Waltham Butternut Squash is an original Harris strain.
This fine Butternut type is by far our popular winter squash. Fruit are 8 to 10″ long with thick, cylindrical necks. Waltham Butternut FarMore Squash’s flesh color is richer than others, and the fruit store well, late into winter. Yielding heavily, it shows remarkable uniformity and is virtually free of slim or crooked necks. Its rind is creamy tan and ridged. It is an ideal size for the average family and has won the highest approval from our customers. |
Delicata |
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80 Days to maturity
This is an All America Selections winner! Also known as sweet potato squash, this variety has a compact 3 to 4′ vine that has and tolerance to powdery mildew. These are improvements over the older strains of Delicata. The cylindrical, 8″ long fruit has a bright yellow-orange flesh that is sweet and smooth with a nutty flavor. |
Primavera |
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93 Days to maturity
Growers have been asking us for a more uniform spaghetti squash and this is it. Primavera is a very uniform, high yielding, 2.5 – 3 lb. variety with a very nice, canary yellow skin color at maturity. Its restricted vine allows for a more concentrated fruit set. When compared to the standard OP variety, it really stood out in our trials. |
