Squash Help!

Jennie@ifish · 09-24-2003, 04:01 PM

I have never grown any other kind of squash besides summer squash.
I now have acorn and spaghetti squash.

My problem: How can I tell when they are ready to pick?

I have one spaghetti squash that is huge! And only one! When is it done? Does it turn colors?

How bout acorn? They are light green, and one is yellow. When are they done, or edible?

Thanks!
Jen

Grantspastor · 09-24-2003, 04:03 PM

Wondering the same thing myself. Have some acorn squash...but no idea when to pick them

09-24-2003, 04:13 PM

Well I do know that it's played with a different type of racket and the layout of the court is differ....oh you meant the vegitable

wannacatchem · 09-24-2003, 04:23 PM

Take a look in the grocery store next time your there......when yours look like thiers, pick'em. Spagetti squash are so good

Jennie@ifish · 09-24-2003, 05:34 PM

I'm just not sure mine is the same kind.
Jen

Hogback · 09-24-2003, 05:47 PM

Do a Google search gotta be info on squash found more info than I needed on tomatoes.
Randy

Fish_N_Russ · 09-24-2003, 09:58 PM

Usually the darker the skin, the more ripe it is.

Green acorn squash should be nice dull dark green, some orange on the bottom (dirt contact reaction) is desireable also. Now there are yellow acorn squash varieties too, and those should also be dark yellow colored.

Spaghetti squash can be eaten anytime after it gets yellow colored...darker being better.

Usually when the vine starts to shrivel, you know its done ripening and can be picked. Squash will store for 2-3 months (some longer) in dark cool places.

Jennie@ifish · 09-25-2003, 04:25 AM

Great! Thank you Russ!
:smile:

Artwo · 09-25-2003, 07:18 AM

Don't know much about growing them, but I do know I like eating them.

Acorn Squash -
Cut into two halves longways and remove seeds.
Poke holes in the meat with a fork a few places
Bake for 40 min. at 350 deg. in a shallow baking dish.
After about 20 min. remove from the oven and add 1 tbls of butter/margerine to center and 2 tbls of brown sugar to center.
Place back in over to cook for remainder of time or until meat is tender.

I like this as a side dish with some fresh pheasent/grouse or cornish game hen with a nice salad with raspberry vinigarette and glass of your favorite wine.

Yum, Yum, Yum......

Fish_N_Russ · 09-25-2003, 07:30 PM

Your welcome Jennie :smile: I knew those master gardener classes would come in handy some day [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

DanS · 09-25-2003, 09:51 PM

Artwo,

I don't know if there's a significant other in your life, but if you serve meals like that there will be.

"Your table is ready.......chef Artwo will be serving you shortly."

Artwo · 09-26-2003, 07:02 AM

Thanks dan,
Yes, I do have a significant other in my life (12 years of wedded bliss).

My life passions are hunting and fishing and as part of those activities being able to prepare/eat what I've taken is something I'm fond of as well.

My wife sells gormet cookware and in our house the cooking duties are shared equally mostly due to our daughter's active schedule (school, drama, sports, etc.). So being able to sit down to a good qality meal is sometimes difficult in our house. Usually we try to have a special meal at least one night during the week (usually on the weekend).

Thanks for the kind words........

DanS · 09-26-2003, 07:40 AM

Well,

Thank YOU for making my mouth water with that description of a meal fit for a king.

CATCH AND EAT · 09-26-2003, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stew:
Well I do know that it's played with a different type of racket and the layout of the court is differ....oh you meant the vegitable

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">And thus, Stew has been to the Catch And Eat School of Humorous Intent. [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] :grin:

[ 09-26-2003, 04:02 PM: Message edited by: CATCH AND EAT ]

Chrome Bumper · 10-02-2003, 02:01 PM

For winter squash wait til the vines die. Wash them, leave them out for a night or two of frosty weather to "harden" them so they last longer. Store them in a cool dry place for many months.

Jennie@ifish · 10-02-2003, 02:24 PM

Thank you, Chrome!

Man, this spaghetti squash is going to be HUGE! It's already 10 pounds! Leave it? REALLY?

:smile:

I'm a proud spaghetti squash owner!

Jen

Artwo · 10-02-2003, 03:23 PM

Jen,
You should bring your giant squash to Hoffman's Dairy Farm in Canby this Saturday for giant pumpkin weigh-off, they also have a catagory for giant squash. It's a really fun down home event that they put on at their farm with all kinds of thing to do, check out their web site http://www.hoffmanfamilyfarms.com/weighoff.html

Jennie@ifish · 10-02-2003, 03:44 PM

How big is big for a sp. squash?
I'd love to go. Sounds fun! But, it's not ripe yet, and it's my only squash!

Jen

Chrome Bumper · 10-06-2003, 01:52 PM

Don't know about spaggetti squash. Winter squash you pick when the vines die. You can check with my wife at http://www.newdimensionseed.com/seed_map.htm for the spagetti variety.

[ 10-06-2003, 02:59 PM: Message edited by: Chrome Bumper ]

Small Fry · 10-06-2003, 01:56 PM

We always wait until the vine die back. That way you get sweet meat form all the squash.