20 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

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Photo By: Photo courtesy of All-America Selections

Photo By: Image courtesy of Jessica Yonker

Photo By: Photo courtesy of All-America Selections

Many Types of Squash to Love

Squash is a staple of summer home gardens across the country for good reason: Squash is easy to grow and tastes great grilled, baked, roasted, boiled and in soups. Check out these recipes that incorporate several squash varieties into tasty dishes. You can even add squash blossoms to the menu.

The many varieties of squash are separated into two basic groups — summer and winter. Summer squash, which includes zucchini, are best harvested when immature and don't store well. Winter squash however, have hard, thick rinds that make them easy to store for long periods of time in cool, dry conditions. That means you can enjoy the flavor of winter squash well into winter without having to preserve them. Winter squash can even be used to add seasonal color to your fall table setting.

'Little Dipper' squash, pictured, is a butternut winter squash popular for its nutty, sweet flavor. It's small enough to use for individual servings. The lightbulb-shaped fruits grow to about 2 pounds each and store well for a long time.

Browse pictures of squash and get to know 19 more squash varieties — both winter and summer. Plus, find tips on how to use these nutritional powerhouses.

Learn More: Companion Planting for Summer and Winter Squash

From: Lynn Coulter

Zucchini

Zucchini is a summer squash that, left on the vine, can grow to more than three feet long, but for cooking it's usually harvested at 1/4 that size or smaller. It is used as a vegetable for savory side dishes. Zucchini bread, of course, is a big favorite.

Learn More: Zucchini 101: Planting and Growing This Super Squash

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.

Also See: Turn a Butternut Squash Into a Fall Centerpiece

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 to produce enough for their summer meals.

Also See: Summer Squash Pancakes With Soy Dipping Sauce

Acorn Squash

Acorn squash starts out a dark green that turns bright orange as it matures. Each vine produces 4-5 plants and is small enough to be grown in deep containers. Sweet acorn squash is a favorite in savory baked dishes.

Also See: Roasted Acorn Squash With Dirty Rice Pilaf

‘Green Eggs’ Summer Squash

These 5-inch ovals offer a creamy flesh that serves a nutty, caramelized flavor when grilled. Vines have fewer spines than traditional zucchini, so they’re not as prickly to weed and harvest. Expect an 8-week-long harvest window.

Also See: Grilled Zucchini With Fresh Herbs and Goat Cheese

'Blue Hubbard' Squash

For fans of winter squash, 'Blue Hubbard' is one of the standards. The teardrop-shaped fruits can be huge and heavy -- typically weighing 15 to 40 pounds -- and will keep well into winter. The flesh is golden and fine-grained (no strings). The sweet flavor enhances pies, baked goods and savory dishes like soup or chili.

Also See: Curried Butternut Squash Soup With Fried Sage Leaves

'Honey Bear' Squash

This plump variety may look like a little green pumpkin, but it's actually an acorn squash. Known for their sweet flavor, these squash are also mildew tolerant.

'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.

Also See: Serve the Season: Easy Summer Squash Flatbread

Yokohama Squash

This beautiful, dark-green squash was introduced to America from Japan in the late 1800s. Yokohama is revered for its buttery flavor and sweet fragrance.

Learn More: Heirloom Pumpkins

'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.

'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.

'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.

'Gold Rush' Squash

The supermodel of the squash world, the 'Gold Rush' is bright yellow, smooth and uniformly shaped.

The Carnival Squash

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.

'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.

'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.

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.

'Eight Ball' Squash

The first variety of round green zucchini squash, 'Eight Ball' squash taste best when they're picked young. If you wait too long, cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds, and use the halves as bowls for dips or soup.

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