Squash and Guords A-Z... Let's begin!

Let’s begin with A

Acorn Squash

 

Acorn squash comes in green, gold and white. Known for its compact size, one squash provides one (generous) or two portions. The defined ribs make an attractive vessel: the halves can be hollowed out after baking and used as decorative bowls for mashed squash, squash soup, rice or stuffing. Naturally sweet and slightly fibrous, acorn squash can be substituted for buttercup squash, which is generally drier, or butternut squash, which is nuttier.

Available year round, although the all-white or all-yellow acorn squash peak late August to December.

Ambercup Squash

Compact and weighing less than three pounds, the ambercup squash has a pumpkin-colored shell with an occasional stripe that encases a deep vibrant orange flesh. It is comparable to buttercup squash but slightly drier; the dryness lends itself to cooking because the water content can be controlled in soup, stuffing or rice pilaf.

Available June to November.

Autumn Cup Squash

 

Under its forest-green shell and sparse green stripes, the rich, meaty autumn cup squash is so flavorful that its yolk-colored flesh pops in the mouth. Compact but substantial, the autumn cup squash is a velvety joy.

Available September through December.

Australian Blue Squash or Queensland Blue Winter Squash

The hefty Australian blue squash has teal-gray skin encasing bright orange flesh. The flesh is very similar in taste and appearance to a pumpkin; the two can easily be substituted for each other. Australian squash or Queensland Blue Winter Squash is also known as the Jarrahdale Pumpkin, named after Jarrahdale, Western Australia’s first timber town, in 1872. The town is also known for its farms, orchards and art galleries.

Available September through December.

Let move on to B…

Baby Boo Pumpkin

A miniature white pumpkin 2 to 3 inches in diameter. There’s not much flesh, so the baby boo pumpkin is mostly used for decoration.

Available throughout the fall.

Banana Squash

Ranging from 2 to 3 feet in length, the log-shaped banana squash has a pale cream- or peach-colored exterior and golden, cantaloupe-colored flesh. It averages 10 to 12 pounds, although grocers often sell it in more manageable cuts. It is common for banana squash in home gardens to grow up to 40 to 50 pounds or more. Bush Pink Banana Squash is a specific heirloom squash with pink skin and orange flesh.

Available year-round, but peak season lasts summer through early fall.

Buttercup Squash

Squat and green with vertical gray or pale green stripes, the decorative buttercup squash with tender orange flesh has a flavor similar to sweet potato.

Available year-round, but peak season lasts from early fall through winter.

Butternut Squash

A creamy-colored gourd with a bottleneck shape, the butternut squash is one of the more common varieties of squash. It tastes like a nuttier version of the sweet potato and can be baked or steamed.

Available year-round, but peak season lasts summer to early fall.

Come back tomorrow for squash C through D

Source: The Nibble