can you eat the skin of kabocha

The kabocha skin is edible. Many Japanese kabocha recipes such as kabocha tempura and simmered kabocha require it to keep the skin on.

There are only two types of squash to avoid. The first is spaghetti. “The skin of spaghetti squash really kind of has an egg shell-like texture to it thats flaky and unpleasant,” says Romano. The second is squash thats extra shiny, a sign that the squash has probably been coated with a food grade wax to help keep it fresh for a long period of time. The wax is edible, but its still, you know, wax—and no amount of roasting can change that.

The thicker the skin, the greater chance it will remain tough to chew even after its cooked. So reaching for a thin-skinned variety is your safest bet. Tiny, oblong delicata squash is the darling among the thin skin crowd. When cooked, its skin practically melts away and is hardly noticeable. Other varieties that are known for thin skin are sweet dumpling and red kuri.

Confused, I turned to Chris Romano, the Global Produce Buyer for Whole Foods Market, for help.

I grew up eating roasted acorn squash in its entirety, skin and all. Then someone—I cant remember who—told me I was doing it wrong. So I stopped. But recently that got me wondering: was it actually okay to eat the skin all along?

Types of Winter Squash You Should Avoid Eating the Skin

Consider the size when deciding whether or not to eat the skin. Generally, the bigger the squash the tougher the skin. The smaller the squash, the thinner and softer the skin. Hubbard squash, red kuri, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, and sugar pumpkin (sometimes called pie pumpkin) are varieties with very tough inedible skin.

Though they need to be peeled before adding to soups, stews, and casseroles, most of these don’t need to be peeled in order to be baked. After a long time in the oven, the peel will keep its shape, but isnt going to be tender and tasty. So scoop out those innards and toss the skin.

Trick to Cutting Kabocha Squash Easily

FAQ

Do you need to peel kabocha squash?

Which squash skin is not edible?

Is kabocha good for skin?

Can you eat outside of kabocha squash?