It's Delicata Squash Season! These Recipes Show Why You'll Want It (2024)

FAQs

Is delicata squash in season now? ›

Delicata squash is typically grown in the summer season and harvested in the fall. With the modern disease-resistant cultivar, growing your own from seed is easy.

Delicata squash, an often overlooked but delightfully sweet and nutty squash variety, is known for its carb content, which may lead individuals on a low-carb or keto diet to question its place in their meal plan.

Although this squash has been around for centuries, It started gaining popularity only a few years ago. It was rare to find it on the shelves of grocery stores or in many restaurants. This is actually because delicata squash was once prone to mildew diseases in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Delicata squash also has a ton of potassium: One cup delivers a whopping 500mg of the mineral, which can help control your blood pressure. As with many varieties of squash, it's also full of vitamin C, which plays a role in the growth and repair of body proteins.

Risks and Side Effects

As with any food, taking note of any unusual reaction, such as itching or swelling, is important, but there are no known problems with the delicata squash. However, because of its fiber content, too much could cause flatulence.

Delicata squash is available in the fall up until early winter. However, in some areas, you can get it year-round.

"Squash contains a toxin known as Cucurbitacin E, which can give the squash a bitter taste. If too much of the toxin is consumed it can cause illness. It is rare, but if the squash has a bitter taste, stop eating it, and grab another one."

Moreover, despite its natural sweetness and carbohydrate content, squash boasts a relatively low glycemic index, making it a favorable dietary choice for individuals monitoring their blood sugar levels and seeking to manage their risk of type 2 diabetes.

Delicata squash can cause gas as it contains high amounts of fructans and GOS, but portions up to 49g should be well tolerated (2). Delicata squash is also called sweet potato squash due to its sweet flavor. You can bake delicata squash and add it to your salad or have it as a side dish.

Because you can eat the skin, there's no need to peel the squash before you chop it. Start by slicing it in half lengthwise. Then, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and the stringy flesh. Finally, cut the seeded squash halves into thick slices.

What is the most flavorful squash? ›

It is also known as peanut squash, Bohemian squash, or sweet potato squash.

Storage tips: Winter Squash is best stored between 55-65 degrees, however, Delicata squash does not store quite as well as heartier varieties like Acorn and Butternut. Place in a cool dry room in your house (do not refrigerate) and it should last 3 months.

So which winter squash is the overall nutrient heavyweight? Acorn squash wins the match. It offers more folate, calcium, magnesium (nearly one-third of a day's worth in one cup) and potassium than butternut, hubbard and spaghetti squash.

If it feels squishy rather than firm, this is usually a sign that it's past its prime. Finally, smell the squash. A foul or overly sweet, rotten smell is indication that it's time to say goodbye to your squash. Store delicata squash in a cool, dark, dry place, such as a basem*nt or pantry, away from sunlight.

Although delicata is typically considered a winter squash variety, it actually belongs to the same species as summer squash varieties like cousa, zucchini, pattypan, etc. The delicata squash is sometimes referred to as a sweet potato squash or a peanut squash.

Season. Butternut squash season lasts from September into December. In warmer areas they will be ready in September, but not until October or later in cooler areas. They store for months, so you can find them at the grocery store into January, February and sometimes early March.