From acorn squash to zucchini, we’re covering the most popular types of squash from A to Z in this helpful guide to squash!
There’s so much more to squash than pumpkins and zucchinis, so today we’re doing a deep dive into the different types of squash!
Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) is a green summer squash. Italian immigrants brought zucchini from Italy to the Americas. People refer to more than one of these squashes as zucchini or zucchinis, although the singular word in the Italian language is zucchino.
As for texture, they really are similar, with off-white interior flesh thats spongy — or squashy, as it were. And zucchini and yellow squash can be prepared in the same ways, either combined together or rolling solo.
There are a lot of close cousins in the produce world — we see you, sweet potatoes and yams. But one of the most-vexing questions, especially come late summer is: Are squash and zucchini the same? Theyre often used interchangeably, and are strikingly similar in flavor and texture, making it difficult to ascertain if theres actually a difference.
The easiest way to tell the two apart is color. Zucchini is generally deep green — though it can be golden yellow — while yellow squash is, well, bright yellow. Shape is another indicator. Zucchini is mainly straight, while yellow squash sports a bulbous bottom, which tapers as it gets toward the top.
One of the simplest methods of cooking these veggies is a quick saute, a la Rachael Ray. But they can also be marinated, shaved raw into a carpaccio or diced into a salsa for ladling over grilled mahi mahi.
So while you may say “zucchini” and we may say “squash,” in the kitchen you really cant go wrong with either.
– Types of Winter Squash –
While summer squash are harvested when the squash is immature, winter squash are harvested when mature, meaning the skin is much thicker and the seeds have fully matured.
Acorn Squash are a small winter squash with bright yellow-orange flesh. You can roast, steam, or even microwave them to be used in a variety of acorn squash recipes. They have a mild flavor that can be made sweet or savory – great with herbs or maple syrup. The shape of the acorn squash makes it difficult to peel. Fortunately, the peel is perfectly edible when cooked! If the texture isn’t your thing, simply scrape the cooked flesh out while eating. That peel, however, is loaded with fiber. For more on the incredible nutritional profile of acorn squash as well as tips on how to roast, steam, sauté, or just microwave squash check out Acorn Squash 101 Nutrition + How to Cook It 4 Ways! I do have to say , however, my hands down favorite for taste and presentation is either Stuffed Acorn Squash or in this harvest bowl.
Ambercup Squash are also called Japanese pumpkins. It has a green to orange skin and normally grows to the 4-6 lbs range. This winter squash is an oddity in that it can be eaten raw or cooked. Typically, only summer squash can really be eaten raw, but with squash there are few absolutes.
Atlantic Giant is the largest pumpkin variety in the world. With some exceeding 1,000 lbs. They have been known to grow 15 lbs in a day! I grew up in Alaska. Each year we went to the AK State Fair for the junk food, the shows, and the agriculture exhibits. With the long sunny summer days that far north pumpkins on display grew to enormous 800-900 pound beasts. Alaska’s state record is 1,471 pounds.
Autumn Gold Pumpkins are a hybrid pumpkin with a deep golden color making them a great decorative pumpkin, but they are also very good as pie pumpkins. And, did you know that dogs can and will safely eat pumpkin. Want an easy Halloween treat for your neighborhood canine friends? Try Candy Corn Pupsicles- Halloween Treats for Dogs! So, this year don’t throw your pumpkins in the compost pile after Halloween. Try a recipe or two with your uncut pumpkins.
Baby Bear Pumpkins is a smaller variety (2 pounds and perhaps 4 inches high) that grow well in home gardens with their frost resistant quality. They are also pretty good to cook with.
Baby Boo Pumpkins are actually a variety of Acorn Squash. These are the tiny little white squash often used in Autumn displays.
Big Max Squash is a pumpkin variety that can grow to over 100 pounds. Obviously, this is no where near the size the Atlantic Giant reach, but bigger than I want to hoist onto the table to cut into a jack-o-lantern. You could certainly, make a lot of puree out of one of these beasts. How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree. Why buy expensive canned pumpkin when you can easily make your own with those pumpkins sitting on your porch?
Big Moon Pumpkins are similar in size to the Big Max, but the flesh is a pale color and not normally eaten.
Blue Prince Pumpkins are a flat pumpkin in an intriguing shade of blue. They are typically from 7-9 pounds and can make a nice display, if you can find them. They are said to have a creamy interior less stringy than most pumpkins and sweet flavor making them yet another pumpkin that cooks well.
Bonbon Squash look similar to buttercup squash with a flattened top and bottom. They are not as sweet as buttercup or butternut squash. They would go well in this Easy Butternut Squash Risotto.
Buttercup Squash are a round green squash about the shape and size of a small pumpkin. The peel is inedible, most winter squash have a peel that is at best unappetizing, but the interior can be used in pretty much any winter squash recipe (except of course those using the unique spaghetti squash).
Butternut Squash are shaped like a bulb and have a distinctive tan skin. They are great roasted with the skin on or cubed then roasted, or in so many other ways. Here are 10 Vegetarian Butternut Squash Recipes You’ll LOVE. As if we need another reason to love butternut squash, it’s also ultra-adaptable! You can use it as a substitute for pumpkin, sweet potato, or really any starchy orange veggie. Oh, and they are pretty healthy as well. Look here for Butternut Squash Nutritional Info and So Much More.
Carnival Squash are a small white pumpkin that have a rich orange flesh that is great for baking. So, by all means buy them to display on the porch, but as Autumn ends puree these little gems and get cooking.
Charisma Pumpkins are yet another classic looking pumpkin that is great for carving. They are said to be easy to grow as well.
Cinderella’s Carriage is a pumpkin that, of course, looks like the Disney version of Cinderella’s carriage. It is flat and deep reddish-orange. This is the pumpkin we often see stacked three high on neighbor’s porches in October. It is, however, a sweet pumpkin great for cooking. So when your neighbor tires of their display in November, cook up the pumpkin and invite them over for your favorite pumpkin dessert – Pumpkin Yogurt Bites with Butterscotch and a Gingersnap Crust.
Connecticut Field Pumpkins are one of North America’s oldest varieties having been grown by natives in the New England area before European settlement. They are noteworthy for their round shape and flat bottoms making them ideal for carving. I have to believe that Native Americans would have thought us mad to carve a face in pumpkins.
Dickinson Pumpkin is an American heirloom winter squash found regionally in the Midwest particularly Illinois though they appear to have originated in Kentucky in the early 19th Century. These typically grow to the 10-15 pound range.
Apart from looking so cute in a holiday display, fairytale pumpkins are great for eating! This variety can be used either raw or cooked, and works well with a number of cooking methods — boiling, roasting, or baking. These have a sweet flavor, making the pieces great for using in salads or eating with your favorite fruit dip! Use them in your next batch of pumpkin bread with cream cheese icing, and thank me later.
Guatemalan Blue Squash are an oblong or oval squash weighing 6-10 pounds. The flesh is bright orange and can be cleaned and eaten as you would a pumpkin.
Hijinks Pumpkins are another classic pumpkin ideal for carving. They have an unusually smooth skin compared to other pumpkin varieties and typically weigh in from 6-9 pounds.
Honey Bear Squash got its name for its sweet flavor. They are a variety of acorn squash that was specifically bred to be baked and served in the half shell. Try them in place of the acorn squash in this Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe!
Hubbard Squash are like most winter squash delicious and nutritious. Okay, that said they are just hard to cook with. They have a tough lumpy skin that makes them hard to cut. Just the same, there are plenty of great cooks that swear by them in soups and other uses.
Honeynut Squash looks just like a small butternut squash because it is a hybrid of butternut. It is also sweeter, has a darker orange pulp, and a thinner skin meaning you can roast them without peeling. Use them in any butternut recipe for which you want a sweeter flavor. This Mashed Butternut Squash Recipe would be the ideal recipe for the sweeter taste and to showcase the bright orange color.
This is actually a pumpkin variety not just the name for your artistic creation. These typically weigh in from 15-20 pounds and have a nice oval shape and orange color. These are not the sweetest pumpkins by any means, but believe me they are still good for cooking. Try roasting them or make them into pumpkin puree – How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Puree.
Best Green Squash – Which should you buy?
FAQ
What are names for green squash?
What is the difference between green squash and zucchini?
What is the green squash that looks like a zucchini?
What is the name of the long green squash?
What are the different types of green squash?
Green squash is one of the types available in most grocery stores. These squashes can either be summer or winter varieties. Our detailed guide lists some common types of green squashes, their characteristics, and what you can use them for in your recipes. 1. Acorn Squash Acorn squash is a winter squash with green skin and orange-yellow flesh.
Are squash and pumpkin the same?
Pumpkin and squash both belong to the same plant family, Cucurbitaceae. The main difference between pumpkin and squash is that the pumpkin stem is hard and jagged, while the squash stem is light and hollow. In other words, a pumpkin is a type of squash but not all squash are pumpkins.
What is a yellow squash called?
The cucurbits include other vegetables like pumpkins and cucumbers. Yellow squash is also called summer squash because the plant has a short lifespan, usually surviving for about 50 days. The plant can grow anywhere from 1–8 feet tall, depending on the variety of yellow squash.
What is a green egg squash?
‘Green eggs’ is a type of squash that resembles zucchini. The difference is that ‘Green Eggs’ squash is fat, short, and looks like eggs. This squash has deep dark green skin. It also grows on bushy vines. 4. ‘Bon Bon’ Squash ‘Bon Bon’ squash shares some similarities with buttercup squash.