October is National Pumpkin & Winter Squash Month!
October is the perfect month to be able to appreciate pumpkins and winter squash! There are numerous varieties that come in all shapes and sizes! Pumpkins are more than a short-lived, autumn decoration and ingredient for pie, so let’s dive into the most popular types. Let’s begin with pumpkins!
Pumpkins
Everybody is familiar with the classic Halloween pumpkin, the Jack-O’-Lantern! This well-known pumpkin is often used for carving rather than eating, since its flavor is more mild in comparison to some of the others. These pumpkins have a bright orange color and typically range from ten to fifteen pounds. A smaller and darker orange relative to the Jack-O’-Lantern, known as the Sugar Pumpkin, is a sweeter variety that is perfect for baking pies and making purees. Baby Pam Pumpkins are a similar variety that are excellent for baking. Baby Pams are small and typically do not weigh more than five pounds. Like Sugar Pumpkins, their rich flavors allow them to be a top choice for custards, pies, purees, and roasting. Another popular variety is the Cinderella Pumpkin, named for its resemblance to Cinderella’s carriage. These pumpkins are a heavier variety that typically weighs between fifteen and twenty-five pounds. They can be used as decoration, but are most often used in baking, soups, and stews. Jarrahdale Pumpkins, an Australian variety, have a blue-gray skin and typically weigh around ten pounds. Their striking orange interior is sweet and firm, and with their long storage life, they are a great choice for cooking. Baby Boo Pumpkins are small, white pumpkins, typically not measuring more than five inches in diameter. While they can be eaten, they are commonly used in decorative displays, table settings, and for painting.
Winter Squash
The most notable winter squash variety is Butternut Squash, known for its orange color, bell shape, and long storage life. Butternut Squash has a sweet and nutty flavor, making it a great pick for making soups. They are small, weighing only between two and four pounds. Acorn Squash is a smaller popular variety that is packed with just the right amount of nutty flavor to make them ideal for baking and stuffing. Weighing between four and eight pounds, Spaghetti Squash is a variety that is known for its yellow color, oval shape, and unique texture. When cooked, the inside of the squash turns into long, spaghetti-like strands. Kabocha Squash, a round Japanese variety, has a dark green skin with pale stripes and weighs roughly three pounds. Since the taste is a bit more starchy compared to others, this squash is an ideal choice for curries and tempura recipes!
These are only a few of the numerous, flavorful varieties that pumpkins and winter squash have to offer, further proving that they deserve the October spotlight!