This lovely squash was a wonderful find at this mornings farmer's market. It is just over 12" in diameter and weighs 20 lbs. A bargain at $6.00 (it's organic)!
I thought this might be a Jarrahdale or Crown Prince, but it seems to large and flat for either of those varieties. I'm hoping it will have a sweet orange flesh. I need to make a winter squash dish for 24 people this weekend and this particular specimen caught my eye.
Any ideas as to what variety it may be?
Here is a side view.
Could it be a luminaria pumpkin? (This is a wild guess from one who knows little.)
katiebear
Possibilities include being one of the cheese pumpkins. Because of the color Crown Prince is a good possibility. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/91549/ as is Jarrahdale http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/61933/ Jarrahdale is the larger of the two and more apt to be 20 lbs
The grower didnt' know?
Thanks Farmerdill. If Jarrahdale's can get to 20 lbs, then that may be what I have.
LTilton, the grower is not always at out Farmer's Markets. Sometimes we get just get the farm staff, and they often have only a basic command of English - It's enough to discuss price. The young man working the stall today was very sweet, but he did not really know very much about the produce he was selling. It's possible he was just helping out today. Our Farmer's Markets tend to be crowded. The vendors are trying to handle the sales as fast as possible to keep the lines from getting too long. That doesn't really allow much room for chatting. The folks behind you in the line will get irritated that you are taking up too much time to complete your purchase.
GMaid: I know I am late but you have a Jarrahdale, it looks just like mine, congrats
Thanks kanita! The squash was delicious. I'm thinking of growing this variety next year. How well did it grow for you?
It grew awesome! I got 3 off one vine and gave two away to other members of the garden. I am definitely growing it again next year.
I was impressed by the thick flesh on this squash. It had a very small seed cavity, so I got 40 servings out of the one squash. I liked the flavour better than the butternuts.
You know its odd, butternuts did not grow well for me, but the jarrahdale did.
It's a Jarradale - ornamental and edible heirloom pumpkin from Australia. The light gray-green shell conceals a sweet, deep golden stringless flesh.
It is NOT Crown Prince!
I think it is Jarradahl.
My squash did look like the one in kanita's photo, so it looks like Jarrahdale gets the most votes.
Butternuts are my faves, if they grew well for me, I doubt if I'd consider growing other kinds of squash.
But.
Hmmmm, I wonder why butternuts don't grow well you some of you? Soil? Zone? Light?
Butternuts grow just fine for me. They are tasty, but the Jarradale had a taste that I liked better. The texture was very similar to a butternut.
g_m, I'd be very interested in growing the Jarradale if it weren't so darned big. Waaaay too much for just me to feed.
I don't know what my problem is with butternut, but I try them every year without good results. I get really teeny tiny squash. They just refuse to get big for me. Even Spaghetti Squash I got a ton of, but no butternut.
Same for me, butternuts just don't thrive in the same patch that other squash are doing well.
darius, you can always freeze what you don't eat. Heehee! Like how I'm trying to expand your garden and it's not even spring yet!!
Have you tried drying winter squash? I'm wondering if it could be rehydrated and then cooked as a compote or otherwise used like canned pumpkin.
Actually, I have very little freezer space, and what I have is stocked with venison and trout. It was enough space for just me, but now my sister and her daughter live here. I do can some winter squash... bigger ones than we can eat within 2 meals. In my root cellar I have about a dozen butternuts, and one baby blue hubbard packed in around the yukon gold and fingerling potatoes.
g_m, I've never tried drying winter squash. I did dehydrate a bunch of zucchini and yellow summer squash this year, for soups, but haven't used any yet.
GMermaid: pleaase tell me you saved seeds from your squash for spring?
kanita, I had some seeds saved, but then a hungry squirrel made cute goo-goo eyes at me and had them for dinner. =)
Today the same FM vendor was selling a green and orange squash the same shape and size as the Jarrahdale. He's promised to bring more Jarrahdale next week.
I'll be cooking at home this time, so I will be able to save some of the seeds.
Great, if you battle another squirrel, let me know, I have plenty of extra seeds.
