Squash

Squash belongs to the gourd family. .There are two types of squash: summer squash and winter squash. With its fall colours and curious shapes, their sweet and irresistible flavor pleases everyone, including children.

Winter Squash

Generally sweeter than summer squash, with a hard, inedible rind that serves as protection

STORAGE

Squash is one of the few fruits that not only continues to ripen after being picked, but also becomes sweeter and more nutritious. Stored in a cool, dark place, squash will keep for up to three months depending on the variety. No need to put it in the fridge! After three months of storage, it's best to peel and cube squash, blanch it for 2 minutes in boiling water, and then freeze it in a resealable bag.

Summer squash

Mildly flavoured, their skin is soft and edible.

STORAGE

Since these vegetables are fragile, opt for firm summer squash with no bruises and don’t keep long and must be refrigerated. Storage time: 4 to 5 days.

How to choose

Choose a firm squash that's heavy for its size, with an intact stem that's rigid and dry. Opt for medium-sized squash, relative to the variety. Smaller squash tends to be less tasty while bigger ones can be fibrous and stringy.
Squash comes in a large range of colours, so look for the ones with dark, matte tones. A winter squash with skin that's shiny or easily scratched is a squash that was probably picked too early before ripening.
Don't worry: it's normal for one side of the squash to be discoloured. It grows directly on the ground in the fields.
No need to be put off by the lumpy skin of certain squash varieties. They're every bit as delicious.
Finally, avoid squash with cracks or bruises unless you want to eat it right away.

How to cook a squash

Squash may be steamed, baked, microwaved, boiled, or even slow cooked. Consider the following tips:

Steaming is generally the preferred cooking method because the squash keeps all of its flavour. Cooking time: 20 to 30 minutes.
Squash preserves all its nutritional value when baked at 180˚C (350˚F) unpeeled and cut in half with the seeds removed and a little oil added to the cavity. This method is ideal for spaghetti squash. Cooking time: 40 to 60 minutes*

When microwaving squash, simply cut it in half, remove the seeds, and cover with plastic wrap. Cooking time: 15 to 20 minutes.
Boiling in water or other liquids produces less desirable results, because the squash’s flavour seeps out and it can becomes very watery. However, this is a great way to prepare soup, because the liquid is used. Cooking time: 10 to 15 minutes.

Cooking squash in a slow cooker is perfect for making mashed squash. Just place the whole squash in the slow cooker and cook for 8 hours at a low setting. Since the squash must be able to fit in the slow cooker, its shape and size will determine whether or not this cooking method is possible. Cooking time: 8 hours

Did you know that squash seeds can be roasted and served as a nutritious snack? Eat them soon after roasting because they're 100% natural and contain no preservatives. Wash the squash seeds under running water to remove the flesh attached to them. Dry them with paper towel or a dish towel. Season them to taste: use salt, tamari, curry powder, a pinch of cayenne pepper, cumin, etc. Bake in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Note: Suggested cooking times are average times and may vary depending on the size of your squash.

Scrumptious recipes with squash

Prep time 30 minutes

Cook time 1 hour 5 minutes

Butternut squash soup from Josée di Stasio

Cod with roasted butternut squash & salsa verde by Stefano Faita

Prep time 15 minutes

Cook time 35 minutes

Cod with roasted butternut squash & salsa verde by Stefano Faita

Prep time 15 minutes

Cook time 45 minutes

Honey-roasted root vegetables

Prep time 30 minutes

Cook time 55 minutes

Beef, lentil and squash lasagna

Squash with barley, pancetta, and two-cheese stuffing

Prep time 20 minutes

Cook time 40 minutes

Squash with barley, pancetta, and two-cheese stuffing

Prep time 20 minutes

Cook time 45 minutes

Maple Curry Pork Chops from Ricardo

Prep time 20 minutes

Cook time 45 minutes

Squash & ginger cake

Prep time 15 minutes

Cook time 1 hour 15 minutes

Chicken and acorn squash casserole

Prep time 15 minutes

Cook time 25 minutes

Spaghetti squash-stuffed peppers

Squash: An old vegetable

Squash is one of our oldest vegetables. In 1970, scientists found traces of it in the Ayacucho region of Peru that dated back to between 11,000 and 13,000 B.C. Squash belongs to the gourd family, which consists of trailing or climbing plants whose fruit are called pepos.

	Description	Storage Time	Serving Suggestions
Butternut Squash (Musky Squash)	Winter squash Soft, relatively sweet, deep orange flesh	4 to 10 months	Slice thinly using a mandoline or sharp knife, pat dry and cook a few minutes in peanut oil to obtain golden chips
Spaghetti Squash	Winter squash Fibrous, mild-flavoured flesh	4 to 10 months	Cut in half, brush with oil and bake. Serve with your favourite spaghetti sauce in the cavity
Stripetti Squash	Winter squash Fibrous, mild-flavoured flesh	4 to 10 months
Acorn Squash	Winter squash Fine, slightly fibrous, pale orange flesh with a hazelnut and pepper flavour	3 to 6 months	Dice and add to vegetable and veal stew flavoured with red wine and Provençal herbs (halfway through cooking)
Buttercup Squash	Winter squash Soft, sweet orange flesh	3 to 7 months	Steam and add to mashed potatoes seasoned with chives and tarragon
Pattypan (Green Pattypan)	Summer squash Whitish, slightly sweet flesh that tastes like artichokes	4 to 5 days	Add to an Asian stir-fry at the beginning of cooking
Sunburst (Yellow Pattypan)		4 to 5 days	Add to an Asian stir-fry at the beginning of cooking
Pumpkin	Winter squash Sweet, fragrant, bright orange flesh	2 to 4 months	Cook in chicken stock, purée and season with curry to create a mouthwatering soup
Zucchini	Summer squash Mild, slightly sweeter flavour and a slightly crunchy texture	4 to 5 days	Grate and add to meatloaf
Miniature Zucchini		4 to 5 days	Grate and add to meatloaf

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Squash

Winter Squash

Summer squash

How to choose

How to cook a squash

Scrumptious recipes with squash

Squash: An old vegetable

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