47 Winter Squash Recipes You Have To Try - You Should Grow (2024)

FAQs

What is the best winter squash to grow? ›

Delicata, along with butternut, is a choice that may be easier to grow than some. Choose one of the many buttercup, kabocha, or hubbard types from A.P. Whaley seed company or Fedco. The blue/green color squashes on this baking sheet are the 'Baby Blue Hubbard' variety, which will grow well in northern climates.

Two of the more common, and nicest tasting are 'Red Kuri' (92-100 days) with its orange-red skinned fruits and smooth flesh that is less sweet but nicely flavored, and the gray-skinned 'Winter Sweet' (95 days), which has dry, sweet flesh.

Because winter squash requires a long growing season (generally from 75 to 100 frost-free days), the seeds are generally planted by late May in northern locations to early July in extremely southern states. See your local frost dates and length of growing season.

For example, winter squash tends to ramble and vine all over the garden. It will easily trample root crops like radishes. The broad leaves and fast-growing squash vines are also prone to shading out anything planted too close to it.

Waltham Butternut– My favorite winter squash. Disease resistant, incredibly long storage life, good flavor, and manages to stay alive even with squash bugs and borers. South Anna Butternut– Same long keeping characteristics and good flavor but with downy mildew resistance.

Butternut Squash

It is the sweetest winter squash with a thick, bright orange, moist flesh that hides very few seeds. The squash is an elongated pear shape with a thin, pale tan skin that is easy to peel. They usually weigh between 2 and 3 pounds.

Per cup, butternut also offers 3 grams of fiber to benefit gut health. Due to it's high antioxidant activity, and presence of the carotenoid zeaxanthin, research has suggested butternut squash may help protect your eyes from macular degeneration, support heart health and play a role in immune function.

This squash has a lot of antioxidants, which can boost your immunity and help your body to fight off certain diseases. Acorn squash contains antioxidants like vitamin C that help strengthen bones and blood vessels. It also has vitamin A, which helps improve the health of your lungs, heart and other vital organs.

The delicata squash has a moist, creamy yellow flesh that tastes and smells like a blend of corn, butternut squash and sweet potato. It is often referred to as the sweet potato squash. They are best eaten when steamed or baked.

Which winter squash lasts the longest? ›

Hubbard & Butternut

Fruits are best after 1–2 months of storage, and will keep 4–6 months. (NOTE: Because of its smaller size, 'Butterscotch PMR' is an exception; it can be consumed at harvest, and is best within 3 months of harvest.)

There are so many types of winter squash! From Butternut, Acorn, and Delicata to lesser-known gems like Musquee de Provence and Black Futsu, here's how to pick the good ones and the best way to cook each one.

Cucurbita moschata

Known as one of the easiest to grow of the 4 families, some popular moschata varieties are Butternut, Cherokee Tan, Seminole, and Watham squash.

Soil and Water

Winter squash plants grow best in rich, well-draining soil with a pH range of 6.0-6.5. Test your soil's pH and amend it if necessary to reach this range. Once the plants fill out, they take a fair amount of water, so a consistent watering plan is crucial.

Winter squash needs regularly watering, especially when the squash themselves are forming. Water your winter squash an inch a week at minimum, but they will be happy with more – especially if you are in a dry climate. Stop watering when the fruit is fully mature.

Acorn squash is nutrient dense and definitely worth eating more of! Acorn contains less beta-carotene than butternut, but similar amounts of folate + vitamin C.

Acorn squash, delicata squash, and butternut squash are just a few examples of winter squash that are as nutritious as they are delicious. Try incorporating the winter squash varieties listed above into your diet this fall and winter for an easy way to care for your health from the inside out.