Winter squash
Winter squash is an annual fruit representing several squash species within the genus Cucurbita. It differs from summer squash in that it is harvested and eaten in the mature stage when the seeds within have matured fully and the skin has hardened into a tough rind. At this stage, most varieties of this vegetable can be stored for use during the winter. Winter squash is generally cooked before being eaten, and the skin or rind is not usually eaten as it is with summer squash.[1]
Cultivars of winter squash that are round and orange are called pumpkins. In New Zealand and Australian English, the term "pumpkin" generally refers to the broader category called "winter squash".[2]
Planting and harvesting
Squash is a frost-tender plant meaning that the seeds do not germinate in cold soil. Winter squash seeds germinate best when the soil temperature is 21 to 35 °C (70 to 95 °F), with the warmer end of the range being optimal.[3] It is harvested whenever the fruit has turned a deep, solid color and the skin is hard. Most winter squash is harvested in September or October in the Northern Hemisphere, before the danger of heavy frosts.
Nutritional value
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
---|---|
Energy | 143 kJ (34 kcal) |
8.59g | |
Sugars | 2.2 g |
Dietary fiber | 1.5g |
0.13 g | |
0.95 g | |
Vitamins | Quantity %DV† |
Vitamin A equiv. | 9% 68 μg8% 820 μg38 μg |
Thiamine (B1) | 3% 0.04 mg |
Riboflavin (B2) | 5% 0.062 mg |
Niacin (B3) | 3% 0.5 mg |
Pantothenic acid (B5) | 4% 0.188 mg |
Vitamin B6 | 12% 0.156 mg |
Folate (B9) | 6% 24 μg |
Vitamin C | 15% 12.3 mg |
Minerals | Quantity %DV† |
Calcium | 3% 28 mg |
Iron | 4% 0.58 mg |
Magnesium | 4% 15 mg |
Manganese | 8% 0.164 mg |
Phosphorus | 3% 24 mg |
Potassium | 7% 350 mg |
Other constituents | Quantity |
Water | 90 g |
| |
†Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA FoodData Central |
Raw winter squash (such as acorn or butternut) is 90% water, 9% carbohydrates, 1% protein, and contains negligible fat (table). In a 100 gram reference amount, it supplies 34 calories and is a moderate source (10-19% of the Daily Value, DV) of vitamin C (15% DV) and vitamin B6 (12% DV), with no other micronutrients in significant content (table). It is also a source of the provitamin A carotenoid, beta-carotene.[4]
Subspecies, cultivars and varieties
Cucurbita maxima
- Ambercup squash
- Arikara squash
- Atlantic Giant
- Banana squash
- Buttercup squash
- Georgia candy roaster
- Hubbard squash
- Jarrahdale pumpkin
- Kabocha - "Hokkaido squash"
- Lakota squash
- Mooregold squash
- Red kuri squash - also called "orange Hokkaido squash" or "baby red Hubbard squash"
- Turban squash
Cucurbita argyrosperma
- Cushaw squash (also called "winter crookneck squash")
Cucurbita moschata
- Butternut squash
- Calabaza
- Dickinson pumpkin
- Long Island cheese pumpkin
- Fairytale pumpkin squash or Musquee de Provence[5]
- Kent pumpkin
Cucurbita pepo
- Acorn squash
- Carnival squash
- Delicata squash
- Field pumpkin
- Heart of gold squash
- Spaghetti squash
- Sweet dumpling squash
- Autumn cup squash
- Giraumon
- Gold nugget squash
- Sugar loaf squash
References
- "Winter Squash". University of Illinois Extension. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
- Ferriol, María; Picó, Belén (2007). "3". Handbook of Plant Breeding: Vegetables I. New York: Springer. p. 317. ISBN 978-0-387-72291-7.
The common terms "pumpkin", "squash", "gourd", "cushaw", "ayote", "zapallo", "calabaza", etc. are often applied indiscriminately to different cultivated species of the New World genus Cucurbita L. (Cucurbitaceae): C. pepo L., C. maxima Duchesne, C. moschata Duchesne, C. argyrosperma C. Huber and C. ficifolia Bouché.
- Nonnecke, Ib Libner (1989). Vegetable Production. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold. p. 534. ISBN 0-442-26721-5.
- "Vitamin A". Micronutrient Information Center, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- "Squash". What's Cooking America. Retrieved 2013-08-28.