Squash

One of my favourite vegetables is squash. They come in all shapes, sizes and colours, with the most wonderful names. I'm growing Saffron Prolific Straightnecks, Jumbo Pink Bananas, Bennings Green Tint Scallop and Butternut, amongst others. They are a beautiful plant too ... either growing compact and bushy, or creeping along the ground (creepers can be trained up like a vine). Some can be harvested within 50 days of planting the seed, these are summer squashes. Other take up to 155 days, hence autumn squashes. We've have a mixture of both. The children love the look of them too, their long tendrils and the beautiful squash which first appears in miniature with a lovely long yellow flower from its end. If the flower is fertilised the squash begins to grow.

They are easy to cook too and taste beautifully sweet. Just cut in half and scoop out the seeds. Rub with olive oil and sprinkle on a little salt and/or pepper. If you like garlic crush a clove and sprinkle it on top.  Pop it  in the oven on a baking tray, and roast it on 160C for half an hour. You can serve hot, or once cold, cut into cubes and toss into a salad. Another alternative is to add uncooked squash to soup, just chop it into cubes first.

Comments

[julie]

Those squash sound delicious and what fabulous fairytale names they have too. The polytunnel is looking very established now - well worth all that backbreaking work!

[artmomma]

Those sound delicious! I am so jealous of your squash, mine seem to be having a mildew problem this year.

[hedgewizard]

*leans closer* Have you got sun? That would be cheating! My squash are looking sad and - would you believe it - have powdery mildew months ahead of schedule. I should have gone for an aquatic variety...

[dottyspots]

Squash do have the most wonderful names. I'm not a big fan though, although we did finish the 'not-pumpkin-pie' today, i.e. pumpkin pie made with butternut squash - I made a dairy and gluten-free one (as long as you're not counting eggs as dairy).

[Vallen Queen]

We stuff them here with bread or meat filling when they grow too large. Also the flowers are good stuffed then breaded and fried. I've not heard of those names but a squash by any name is just as sweet.

[Clare]

Off the topic here. Can you give me any clues as to what this may be in my garden?

http://tootsie.wordpress.com/2007/07/07/any-gardeners-out-there/

Thanks!

[torokilopz]

Hi all!

I'm really impressed!


G'night