Which winter squash/es do you consider to be the best for flavor, sweetness, storage, for eating raw, and any other characteristics you think are important?
And which are just so-so?
Please include which USDA zone, and if possible, which Sunset Western zone you're in.
Best/worst winter squash?
Dean, I don't have a western zone, but one on my must have list is Delicata. It is sweet, good flavor, great size for stuffing and stores pretty good-- those I have left. LOL. If I start early I have pretty good success as far as yield even in our climate. I am trying the Honey Boat Delicata variety this summer.
I don't know about Western Sunset Zone, so I hope you don't mind my sticking my nose in!
I didn't care for the Delicata - way too sweet for me. Reminded me more of a pumpkiny or sweet potato flavor (one of the few foods on earth that I don't like!).
I really liked the Jarrahdale, Bon-Bon (which I believe is a Buttercup variety), and the Kabocha. All of these are fairly long-keepers, which is a good thing when you have a 16 pound squash!!! LOL! I was so proud of my Jarrahdale that I had to take him to work to show him off!
I like to boil my squash with potatoes and carrots, gently mashed them with a dab of butter and cream, and some sprigs of Thyme! Oh, yum! Is it Spring yet??? She asks as she sits here listening to the icestorm outside...
Good idea for a thread - I am anxious to hear from our more learned associates!
I am surprised that that no one has mentioned the butternuts, which with the acorns are the more generally popular winter squash. Butternuts are very versatile also, and tolerant of vine borers.
This is my first time ever for squash. Am trying Yellow Crookneck, Cocozelle Zucchini, Papaya Pear, Yellow/Green Zephyr and Table Ace Acorn. It will warm up around here real soon now, so my plans are to start them inside in 16 ounce stryrofoam cups tomorrow, and plant out in earth boxes around mid to late April.
I agree with farmerdill. I'm a "nut" for butternuts and so is my family. Ditto on the squash vine borers. I also like that the seeds are all in the rounded bottom and the entire thick long neck is beautiful & delicious orange flesh. I slice them lengthwise & scoop out the seeds. I fill the seed cavity with water & cover loosely with plastic wrap. I just set the squash halves in the microwave in the shell and "nuke" until tender. After the squash cools, I scoop the flesh out and use in whatever recipe that calls for mashed winter squash. I've even put it in ziplock freezer bags & freeze until needed.
I grow mine on a trellis made of welded wire fencing attached to 6' metal fence posts driven 1' in the ground. I set two 4' lengths of 5' high fence parallel about 2.5' to 3' apart with the fence about 6" off the ground. (My garden is twelve 5' squares.) I make an arch by attaching fencing across the top connecting the two fence rows. I can leave these up year round. Yet, if I want to move the trellis, I just pull up the 4 posts.
The squash vines grow over and down the fencing and I can walk underneath the arch ('cause I'm so short) and the fruit develops thick stems so the fruit just hangs. I grow spaghetti squash and cook the same way. I just use a fork to pull the "spaghetti strands" out of the shell. This also freezes well.
I also grow my cukes the same way. My little granddaughter loves walking underneath the arches. I've also grown hubbard which was very yummy. It just wasn't as productive as the butternuts.
Betty
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/659969/
This is to a link of a thread started by pajaritomt (she is on vaca right now, and I hope she doesn't mind me referencing her thread), about a few winter squashes. Because of her thread, besides doing just a butternut(Waltham), I am also going to try a Bush Buttercup and the Galeux d'Eysienes. Maybe not a winter squash. but also doing a Conneticut pumpkin in the front yard for interest(and pumkin seeds-yummy) Next year, with better laid plans, will expand those bounderies even more. This will only be my 2 yr veg garden, and I had about 75% success last year, but do to MY negligence, but I have also learned a lot since(thanks mostly to DG).
I'm trying something different this year too. I ordered Zucchetta Rampicante from Pinetree Seeds. Also, know as Zuchetta Tromba d'Albenga. I learned about it on davesgarden (some great photos!). I understand that it's used as a zucchini when picked young and also can be left on the vine to ripen and use as a winter squash. It's suppose to be a vigorous grower. I understand that it does run rampant, so I plan to grow it on an arbor and if needed it can run along the garden fence. Anyone try this one?
Betty
Yep, grew those Trombocinos last summer. They were terrific. Loved the flavour and they were amazing to watch as they grew.
Thanks for the encouragement garden_mermaid. I hope my turn out as nice as those photo'd in plantfiles.
"Sowing seeds of kindness"
Betty
I have confidence in you greenbrain! Another plus on the trompocinos is that they are actually in the butternut family with solid stems, so if you live in an area prone to squash vine borers, they should leave that plant alone. If you harvest the young ones, you use them like zucchinni.
"Horseshoe" grows those trombocinos. He was telling about them on an earlier thread,; he has a link with some great pictures. i also saw them in Pinetree this year and got some seeds. We'll have to check in midsummer and see how we newbies like them when they start coming in.
I know sallyg. I was very impressed with Horseshoe's photos. Those impressive photos are what made me want to grow them. Thanks Horseshoe! Coincidently, I also ordered my seeds from Pinetree. I can't wait to see the look on my little 7 year old neighbor's face when these squash start growing. She's very curious about my garden.
Anyone else want to jump onto the trombocino wagon? deanCA, you still with us?
If you store your trombocino for winter, do they store well? How about taste?
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/694732/
That's the link to a thread with Horseshoe talking about Trombocino
Thanks sallyg. I really enjoyed reading that thread. I understand the frustration dealing with the squash bugs and cuke beetles. At least, I know now that they don't only bother us central Midwest gardeners.
A little off topic, but related to the link. My cukes usually succumb to baterial wilt spread by the cuke beetles. I have successfully grown Hybrid County Fair cukes for the past few years. I was sent a substitute from Gurney last year "Gurney hybrid burpless pickler II", so I gave them a try. I finally found Parks to have the Co Fair in stock. I decided to grow them side by side and the G pickler actually outproduced & outlasted the Co Fair. I guess you know that the cuke beetles are attracted to the "bitterness". The G pickler is also advertised as being nonbitter & not preferred by cuke beetles.
I'm hoping that the Tromboncino can "outrun" the squash bugs. I'm learning that farmerdill and horseshoe are two extremely valuable resources for the vegie gardeners. That's good to know because vegie gardening is my passion. Everything else is a companion or accent for the vegie garden. If it shades that space, it's a foe; like the neighbor's bradford pear--I cheered when a severe storm knocked it down. Fortunately, it fell away from my yard. I have my priorities and I love squash! Oops, gotta get to work.
hey greenbrain- I like the flavor of the picklers better too, so that's great news. Maybe you could put your recommendation on the pickler in plantfiles.
yes, thanks to 'shoe and 'dill for being so helpful!!!!