16 Incredible Squash Varieties
How many types of squash can you name? Summer or winter, add one of these colorful varieties to your garden.
By:
Danny Bonvissuto
Related To:
'Honey Bear' Squash
This plump variety may look like little green pumpkins, but they're actually acorn squash. Known for their sweet flavor, they're also mildew tolerant.
'Bonbon' Squash
The 'Bonbon' variety gets its name from its sweet flavor and creamy texture. They're easy to grow and can reach up to four pounds.
'Gold Rush' Squash
The supermodel of the squash world, the 'Gold Rush' is bright yellow, smooth and uniformly shaped.
'Bush Delicata' Squash
Green and white on the outside and filled with sweet orange flesh on the inside, the 'Bush Delicata' squash is full of vitamin A and has a long shelf life.
'Sunshine' Kabocha Squash
Winner of the 2004 All-America Selections Vegetable Award, the 'Sunshine' squash has reddish-orange skin and a flattened globe-like appearance.
Yellow Summer Squash
Yellow squash includes a smooth-skinned, straightneck variety and a crookneck variety that is known for its curved neck and "lumpy" skin. Yellow squash is a vigorous grower and homeowners often only need a few plants.
Acorn Squash
Acorn squash starts out a dark green that turns bright orange as it matures. Each vine produces 4-5 plants and are small enough to be grown in deep containers. Sweet acorn squash is a favorite in savory, baked dishes.
'Eight Ball' Squash
The first variety of round green zucchini squash, 'Eight Balls' taste best when they're picked young. If you wait too long, scoop out the seeds and use them as a bowl for dips or soup.
'Pink Banana Jumbo' Squash
These large, oblong heirlooms have pink-orange skin and orange flesh that is delicious when baked, roasted or boiled. For best flavor, harvest when the fruit is less than 30-inches long.
Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is known for its sweet, nutty taste. This winter squash produces medium-sized fruits with beige skin and orange flesh, and needs a lot of room to grow.
'Fortune' Squash
These light yellow batons have a slender but sturdy neck.
'Cuarzo' Squash
This grey zucchini is sought after for its high yields and resistance to disease, which gives it a longer growing season.
The Carnival Squash
The carnival's in town! This colorful hybrid of an acorn and sweet dumpling squash, starts out dark green and slowly turns cream with bands of bright orange as the squash matures. With a sweet, nutty flavor, these minis can be used for soups and roasting.
'Papaya Pear' Squash
Named for its resemblance to the tropical fruit, 'Papaya Pear' is a summer squash that takes 40 days from sown seed to harvest.
Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash gets its name from its stringy, noodle-like flesh. The skin starts out ivory and turns pale yellow as it matures.
Zucchini
The zucchini is a summer squash which often grows to nearly a meter in length, but which is usually harvested at half that size or less. It is used as a vegetable for savory side dishes.
