Also known as onion squash, this lovely curcurbit finally decided to produce fruit for me this year. Just the one mind you. As a plant it takes up much less room than a butternut squash or traditional pumpkin, so I would recommend it if space is an issue. It produces the familiar long yellow flowers of the squash family, followed by a matching globular fruit, that swelled to the size of a honeydew melon.
It showed off its beautiful range of glowing colours as the skin ripened in the sun before I moved it to the greenhouse to finish the curing process in a dry environment.
It now resides in the kitchen where I am deciding what to do with each and every 749g of it. A big roasted stuffed squash maybe? A sumptuous soup or a rich sweet risotto? A small part of me wants to just admire it rather than break the spell by cutting into it. I makes me wonder what those gardeners who grow the champion vegetables for competition feel like when the time comes to consign their prize specimens to the pot. At least I won't need a fork-lift truck when the time comes!
We were given one of these, (fruit not plant) by a plot neighbour once but it never developed the lovely orange colour
ReplyDeleteMight it have been taken off the plant too early? I'm wondering if they need to mature on the plant before they will ripen fully.
DeleteI tried growing this variety last year but couldn't even get the seeds to germinate. They actually sell them in Morrisons now, it's good to see a bit of variety on the supermarket shelves, so we've been having roast squash this week, delicious.
ReplyDeleteThis is my third year of trying Jo - year 1 I got a small plant that died when I planted it out and year 2 I also had germination problems. Even this year I sowed 5 seeds to get this one plant...
DeleteI plant two variety of little pumpkin right now. The orange variety looks like yours. But I think your squash is so unique. It's color and shape look like a lemon. So interesting!
ReplyDeleteI think winter squash and pumpkins are so beautiful. Decorative, good for storing and so tasty – everything I could want in a homegrown veg!
DeleteI grew some of these at the allotment this year, they're delicious and I'll definitely try them again next year. I like them just roasted with oil and salt.
ReplyDeleteRoasted squash risotto is a personal favourite CJ, and I have recently discovered that even the seeds can be washed and roasted in oil, salt, pepper and chilli flakes for a fabulous savoury nibble. What's not to like?
DeleteOh how exciting. I managed to produce a grand total of two this year. One has already been consumed. Don't admire it for too long. I know from previous experience that they can turn into mush overnight when your back is turned :(
ReplyDeleteYes, I've saved a squash too long before and ended up with a dried specimen a shadow of its former self. We'll be planning to enjoy this in the next couple of weeks.
DeleteInteresting piece. I'm growing them this year for the first time. Luckily seed germinated very easily. Can't wait to see if I have any luck :)
ReplyDelete