Know Your Squash
They may all share a name, but different squash varieties can have very different flavors and properties.
August 14, 2020 | BY LEAH SIKORA MOORE
More than just a funny-sounding word, squash are incredibly versatile and varied in both flavor and usage. Here’s an overview of some varieties that we grow. Bookmark this blog and check back each year as we’ll add any new varieties that we try out in the future (hint: we’re considering some summer squash experiments for the 2021 season).
Summer Squash
Yellow Crookneck
A favorite squash variety among ME & Moore customers, the yellow crookneck is known for its delicate skin and sweet, buttery flavor. Personally, I think it has the best flavor of any squash I’ve tried. Both the skin and flesh are very delicate, though, so I find that it doesn’t hold up as well as zucchini in some recipes. For that reason, I probably wouldn’t attempt to freeze or preserve them. (However, if you have a method that works for you, let me know!)
Yellow Crookneck squash recipes:
I’m sure you could find dozens of recipes utilizing yellow crookneck, but they have such good flavor that my thinking is: the simpler the better. I usually do them pan-fried in butter or olive oil (sometimes breaded—yum!). Here are some other recipes I’d like to try:
Zucchini
Zucchini is a staple for us because its mild flavor and firm structure (firmer than the yellow crookneck, that is) make it wonderfully versatile. It holds up in many different kinds of cooked dishes and is great pan-fried, baked, or added to soups, casseroles, pasta, etc. It’s fantastic in sweet bread, of course (so moist and satisfying—Zucchini bread is my favorite pairing with a warm cup of coffee), and we even add it raw to fruit-based smoothies for some extra veggie goodness. I don’t know too many other people who do this, but I like to slice it up raw for a snack (especially when dipped in hummus or a creamy dill dip). We also like to shred some, chop some, and slice some for freezing to enjoy throughout the winter.
Zucchini recipes:
There are so many preparations of zucchini, I’m sure there are entire books devoted to it. So I’m limiting myself to a sweet dish, a savory dish, and freezing instructions:
Winter Squash
An overview of winter squash varieties will be added here later this season. Check back in the fall, sign up for our email newsletter, or follow us on social media to get a notification when it’s updated. Varieties we grow include carnival, delicata, butternut, spaghetti, sweet dumpling, ambercup, and more!
Squash Season at ME & Moore
Summer squash usually start coming on toward the end of July or in early August. This year we put in a second planting in the hopes of extending the season, so we expect to be harvesting summer squash well into September (fingers crossed!). Winter squash is usually available starting toward the end of September.
Do you have favorite squash recipes or tips and tricks you’d like to share? Send me a message! I’d love to hear from you. Or if there’s a variety that we don’t grow that we should consider for future seasons, we’d love to have your suggestions.
