Guide to Fall Squash
When browsing through the Market Basket produce aisle during the autumn season, you will see many varieties of colorful squashes.
We have your favorite butternut squash and spaghetti squash… but what are Red Kuri and Delicata squash?
Here is a little guide to help you get to know the varieties of squash — from classics to new favorites — available at Market Basket!
Butternut SquashA Thanksgiving favorite! The butternut squash is one of the most versatile squashes available, as it purees easily without too much fiber and can be roasted for a delicious Thanksgiving side dish. Butternut squash’s sweet, nutty flavor makes it easy for anyone to eat, and its seeds can be roasted for a tasty snack! How do you know which butternut squash is best for picking? Knock on it! If it sounds hollow, then its good to go! Recipe: Caramelized Butternut Squash |
Spaghetti SquashThe most unique award goes to… spaghetti squash! When you cook this squash, the flesh falls away in strands like spaghetti, which is how it got its name. Because it is very mild in flavor, you can easily substitute spaghetti pasta with spaghetti squash for a healthy alternative. Adjust your cooking time accordingly based on whether you want your squash to be on the softer side, or “al dente”, just like spaghetti! |
Buttercup SquashButtercup squash is as sweet as its name. The more intense the color of the flesh, the more vitamin A it contains! But how do you know if it is ripe? Check its “cap”! When it is mature and ready to eat, the cap is firm. If it is soft, then it is too old. Make sure that the squash is heavy for its size, and has even coloring! Recipe: Buttercup Squash Soup |
Acorn SquashYou missed a spot! Acorn squash is very easy to distinguish by its thick ridges and its single splotch of orange on its skin. Its smaller size makes it ideal for stuffing. Because of its thin skin, this squash will only last a few weeks in storage. But you will probably eat this squash quickly because it is very delicious! Recipe: Acorn Squash Soup with Kale |
Delicata SquashThe particular shape of this squash makes it a fun cooking option! You can eat the skin as it is very thin, and is usually prepared by cutting them into “rings”. It is sweet like a sweet potato, with a corn-like flavor. Did you know the difference between a delicata squash and a sweet dumpling squash is its shape? Delicata squashes are the cylindrical variation of the sweet dumpling! Recipe: Brown Sugar Delicata Squash |
Red Kuri SquashSometimes this squash is also called “Hokkaido Squash”. There is no missing this squash with its red-orange color and a tear-drop shape! The name “Kuri” means chestnuts in Japanese, and it has a sweet, nutty flavor like chestnuts! |