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Winter squash (Australia: pumpkin) is a warm-seasoned vegetable, representing several species within the genus Cucurbita
Cucurbita

Cucurbita is a genus in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae first cultivated in the Americas and now used in many parts of the world. It includes species grown for their fruit and edible seeds , as well as some species grown only as gourds....
. It differs from summer squash
Summer Squash

Summer squash are a subset of Squash that are harvested when immature . All summer squashes are the fruits of the species Cucurbita pepo , but they are considered vegetables in terms of culinary use....
 in that it is harvested and eaten in the mature fruit stage, when the seeds within have matured fully and the skin has hardened into a tough rind.






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Cucurbita Moschata Butternut
Winter squash (Australia: pumpkin) is a warm-seasoned vegetable, representing several species within the genus Cucurbita
Cucurbita

Cucurbita is a genus in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae first cultivated in the Americas and now used in many parts of the world. It includes species grown for their fruit and edible seeds , as well as some species grown only as gourds....
. It differs from summer squash
Summer Squash

Summer squash are a subset of Squash that are harvested when immature . All summer squashes are the fruits of the species Cucurbita pepo , but they are considered vegetables in terms of culinary use....
 in that it is harvested and eaten in the mature fruit stage, when the seeds within have matured fully and the skin has hardened into a tough rind. At this stage, most varieties of this fruit can be stored for use during the winter. It is generally cooked before eating.

Planting

Because squash is a tender vegetable, the seeds do not germinate in cold soil. They are also easily destroyed by frost. It is therefore necessary to plant after the soil is thoroughly warmed and all sign of frost has passed.

Maintenance

Winter squash can be harvested whenever the fruits have turned a deep, solid color and the skin is hard. Harvest most of the crop in September or October, before heavy frost
Frost

Frost is the solid deposition of water vapor from Saturation air. It is formed when solid surfaces are cooled to below the dew point of the adjacent air....
s hit your area. When cutting squash from the vine, leave two inches of stem attached if possible. Avoid cuts and bruises when handling. Fruits that are not fully mature, have been injured, have had their stems knocked off, or have been subjected to heavy frost do not keep and should be used as soon as possible or be composted (watch for seedlings in the compost).

Nutritional value

Winter squash is a good source of complex carbohydrates such as starch
Starch

File:Amylose2.svgFile:Amylopektin Sessel.svgStarch or amylum is a polysaccharide carbohydrate consisting of a large number of glucose units joined together by glycosidic bonds....
, and also fibre. It is also a source of niacin
Niacin

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin which prevents the Nutrition disorder pellagra. It is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5NO2....
, potassium
Potassium

Potassium is a chemical element. It has the symbol K , atomic number 19, and atomic mass 39.0983. Potassium was first isolated from potash, hence the name....
, iron
Iron

Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. Iron is a Group 8 element and period 4 element. Iron is lustrous and silvery in color....
 and beta carotene. Usually, the darker the skin is, the higher the beta carotene content.

Varieties

  • Acorn squash
    Acorn squash

    Acorn squash is a winter squash with distinctive longitudinal ridges and sweet, yellow-orange flesh. Although considered a "winter" squash, acorn squash belongs to the same species as all "summer" squashes ....
     (Cucurbita pepo
    Cucurbita pepo

    The species Cucurbita pepo is a cultivated plant of the genus Cucurbita. It includes varieties of squash, gourd, and pumpkin.*Acorn squash...
    )
  • Amber squash
  • Ambercup squash (Cucurbita maxima
    Cucurbita maxima

    'Cucurbita maxima', one of at least five species of cultivated squash, is one of the most diverse domesticated species, perhaps with more cultivated forms than any other crop This species originated in South America from the wild, free-living C....
    )
  • Arikara squash
    Cucurbita maxima

    'Cucurbita maxima', one of at least five species of cultivated squash, is one of the most diverse domesticated species, perhaps with more cultivated forms than any other crop This species originated in South America from the wild, free-living C....
     (Cucurbita maxima)
  • Autumn cup squash
  • Banana squash (Cucurbita maxima; also called Pink Banana squash)
  • Buttercup squash
    Cucurbita maxima

    'Cucurbita maxima', one of at least five species of cultivated squash, is one of the most diverse domesticated species, perhaps with more cultivated forms than any other crop This species originated in South America from the wild, free-living C....
     (Cucurbita maxima)
  • Butternut squash
    Butternut squash

    Butternut squash , also known in Australia as Butternut pumpkin, is a type of winter squash . It has a sweet, nutty taste that is similar to pumpkin....
     (Cucurbita moschata
    Cucurbita moschata

    Cucurbita moschata is a species that includes some varieties of Squash_ and pumpkin. C. moschata squash are generally more tolerant of hot, humid weather than Cucurbita maxima or Cucurbita pepo....
    )
  • Calabaza
    Calabaza

    Calabaza is an old Spanish language term that can be applied to a variety of gourds and melons. It is derived from the Persian language term for melon ....
  • Carnival squash (Cucurbita pepo)
  • Cushaw (also called "winter crookneck squash")
  • Delicata squash
    Cucurbita pepo

    The species Cucurbita pepo is a cultivated plant of the genus Cucurbita. It includes varieties of squash, gourd, and pumpkin.*Acorn squash...
     (Cucurbita pepo; also called Peanut squash)
  • Gem squash
    Gem squash

    Gem squash is a variety of summer squash that was domesticated from two wild varieties; Cucurbita texana found in the southern and central United States and Cucurbita fraterna found in Mexico....
     (Cucurbita pepo)
  • Georgia candy roaster
    Cucurbita maxima

    'Cucurbita maxima', one of at least five species of cultivated squash, is one of the most diverse domesticated species, perhaps with more cultivated forms than any other crop This species originated in South America from the wild, free-living C....
     (Cucurbita maxima)
  • Giraumon
  • Gold nugget squash (also called "golden nugget squash")
  • Hubbard squash
    Cucurbita maxima

    'Cucurbita maxima', one of at least five species of cultivated squash, is one of the most diverse domesticated species, perhaps with more cultivated forms than any other crop This species originated in South America from the wild, free-living C....
     (Cucurbita maxima)
  • Jarrahdale pumpkin
    Cucurbita maxima

    'Cucurbita maxima', one of at least five species of cultivated squash, is one of the most diverse domesticated species, perhaps with more cultivated forms than any other crop This species originated in South America from the wild, free-living C....
     (Cucurbita maxima)
  • Kabocha
    Kabocha

    Kabocha is a Japanese variety of winter squash. The word kabocha has come to mean a general type of winter squash to many English-speaking growers and buyers....
     (Cucurbita maxima)
  • Lakota squash (Cucurbita maxima)
  • Long Island cheese squash
    Cucurbita moschata

    Cucurbita moschata is a species that includes some varieties of Squash_ and pumpkin. C. moschata squash are generally more tolerant of hot, humid weather than Cucurbita maxima or Cucurbita pepo....
     (Cucurbita moschata)
  • Mooregold squash (Cucurbita maxima)
  • Red kuri squash (also called "Hokkaido squash," "orange Hokkaido squash," or "baby red Hubbard squash")
  • Rouge vif d'Estampes (also spelled Rouge vif d'Etamps)
  • Spaghetti squash
    Spaghetti squash

    The spaghetti squash is an oblong seed-bearing variety of winter squash. The fruit can range either from ivory to yellow or orange in color or green with white streaks....
     (Cucurbita pepo)
  • Sugar loaf squash
  • Sweet dumpling squash (also called "dumpling squash"; Cucurbita pepo)
  • Turban squash
    Cucurbita maxima

    'Cucurbita maxima', one of at least five species of cultivated squash, is one of the most diverse domesticated species, perhaps with more cultivated forms than any other crop This species originated in South America from the wild, free-living C....
     (Cucurbita maxima)


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