How to Identify, Harvest and Store Pumpkins and other Winter Squash
Also Read: How to Cut Squash, How to Cook Squash, Favourite Winter Squash Recipes
Identify Winter Squash Varieties
Buttercup | Butternut | Hubbard |
Kabocha | Carnival | Pumpkin |
Spaghetti | Delicata | Acorn |
For a picture and description of different varieties visit The Cook’s Thesaurus.
Nutritional Benefits of Winter Squash
Deep yellow and bright orange vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. And winter squash is one of the tastiest ways to get those colours onto your plate. The colour indicates squash is a great source of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant and something our body converts into Vitamin A. Squash is also a good source of Vitamin C, folate, potassium and fiber. They’re low in calories and can be used as a great alternative to potatoes or pasta. Baked, boiled or mashed, squash has about 40 calories per half cup serving.
Nutrient information per ½ cup (125 ml) cooked winter squash (average of all varieties):
Calories
|
40 kcal
|
Fat
|
0.4 g
|
Protein
|
1 g
|
Carbohydrate
|
10 g
|
Fibre
|
2 g
|
Potassium
|
473 mg
|
Manganese
|
0.2 mg
|
Copper
|
0.09 mg
|
Folate
|
22 ug
|
Vitamin C
|
10 mg
|
Beta-carotene
|
3025 mcg
|
Buying & Selecting Winter Squash
Harvesting & Curing Winter Squash
Don’t harvest too early! Underripe squash will be less flavorful and won’t store as well. So, if you can, wait and watch for these signs:
- vines are wilted/dry
- rind has toughened (your fingernail shouldn’t leave a dent)
- stem is dry
Harvest before hard frost as frost damage will shorten long term storage.
Cut, don’t rip the stem, leave 3 inches of stem to reduce risk of rot in the fruit
Curing Squash
Cure squash to harden the rind so it will keep for as long as possible.
Rub off dirt and debris, but don’t wash.
Lay out in a warm, well ventilated area (an elevated screen is ideal) for 7-10 days. It can be a sunny, outdoor space or a warm, sunny indoor space.
Once the stem is totally dry and the rind feels tough and dry it’s ready to store.
Storing Winter Squash
Find More Winter Squash Articles
More squash goodness for you to consider:
- How to Cook Winter Squash
- How to Cut Squash Safely and Easily
- A Collection of Winter Squash Recipes
- How to Make and Freeze Pumpkin/Squash Puree
- How to Roast Pumpkin/Squash Seeds
- How to Roast Delicata Squash
- How to Cut, Peel and Roast Butternut Squash
- How to Cut, Cook and Use Spaghetti Squash
- Video: Roasted Delicata
- Video: How to Cut, Peel & Cube Butternut Squash
- Video: 4 Ways to Cook Spaghetti Squash
- Video: How to Make Crispy Spaghetti Squash Pancakes
Thank you to the work of the Public Health Nutritionists of Saskatchewan from previously published articles on winter squash on homefamily.net. In particular, thanks to Donna Nelson, Cathy Knox, Barb Wright, Heather Torrie, Dorothy Lang, Marilee Hornung and Sheri Taylor. Their work helped create the foundation of this article.