The squash family includes a wide range of vegetables such as pumpkin, red kuri squash, pattypan squash, courgette and other winter squash varieties. Each type has its own characteristics, appearance and flavour. Would you like to discover more about this large and diverse family? Here is an overview of the different types of squash and their main characteristics.
Red kuri squash
Red kuri squash and other large winter squashes are different varieties, even though they share a few similarities. Fortunately, they are not difficult to tell apart.
What are the characteristics of red kuri squash?
Red kuri squash stands out mainly because of its relatively compact size. It rarely weighs more than 4 kg and has a distinctive orange colour, inside and out. Its flesh is soft and slightly sweet, with a flavour reminiscent of chestnuts. Red kuri squash is especially common during autumn and can also be grown successfully in a home vegetable garden.
How do you cook red kuri squash?
Red kuri squash is particularly easy to prepare. As its skin is edible, you simply need to wash it thoroughly before cutting it into smaller pieces. To make a red kuri squash soup, for example, you can:
- Add the squash pieces to a large saucepan of water;
- season to taste;
- add plant-based cream for a lighter, creamy texture;
- cook until the squash is tender.
Red kuri squash can also be used in many other recipes, including savoury tarts and salads. It can even be grated raw or cut into pieces to make squash fries.
Large winter squash
Large winter squash, red kuri squash and pumpkin are often confused with one another. However, they are different types of squash. Let us take a closer look at the characteristics of these larger winter varieties.
What are the characteristics of large winter squash?
These squashes are generally rounder than red kuri squash and broader than many classic pumpkins. Their flesh is typically soft and flavourful. They are available in many varieties and colours, including:
- Blue Hungarian squash,
- Rouge Vif d’Étampes,
- White Cornée squash,
- Gros Jaune de Paris,
- Black Brazilian squash.
How do you cook large winter squash?
Large winter squash can be used in a variety of sweet and savoury recipes, including squash cakes or fritters with herbs such as coriander. The seeds can also be roasted and added to salads.
Fancy growing unusual vegetables at home?
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is one of the best-known members of the squash family. It is especially popular at Halloween, when it is carved to create the traditional Jack-o’-lantern.
What are the characteristics of pumpkin?
Pumpkin can look similar to other large winter squashes, although it is often less broad. Its flesh is generally milder in flavour than that of red kuri squash.
How do you cook pumpkin?
Pumpkin is sometimes used less frequently in cooking than red kuri or other winter squashes, but it still works well in many recipes, including vegetable soups and purées.
Spaghetti squash
Spaghetti squash is a distinctive type of squash that is still less familiar than some other varieties. However, it is ideal for making original and versatile dishes.
What are the characteristics of spaghetti squash?
Spaghetti squash is usually slightly larger than red kuri squash. It is easy to recognise by its yellow skin and oval shape. Its flesh is fibrous, with a mild flavour and a subtle nutty note. Once cooked, the flesh separates naturally into long strands that resemble spaghetti.
How do you cook spaghetti squash?
Spaghetti squash is particularly popular as a vegetable alternative to pasta. Once cooked, the strands can be served with Bolognese sauce, carbonara-style sauces, pesto and many other toppings. This variety can also be incorporated into a range of creative vegetable-based recipes.
Butternut squash
Butternut squash is a distinctive and highly versatile variety that can be incorporated into many different recipes.
What are the characteristics of butternut squash?
Butternut squash is one of the most popular squash varieties. Its flesh is particularly tender and has a mild, slightly nutty flavour.
How do you cook butternut squash?
Butternut squash works well in both sweet and savoury dishes. It can be used in gratins, roasted in the oven or incorporated into cakes. In some baking recipes, it can even be used in a similar way to carrots.
Chayote
Chayote, also known as christophine, grows particularly well in tropical regions and parts of Mexico. It can be more challenging to grow in cooler climates. Let us take a closer look at this unusual member of the squash family.
What are the characteristics of chayote?
Chayote has a shape similar to a large pear. Its flesh is white and its mild flavour is sometimes compared with that of a potato.
How do you cook chayote?
Chayote can be used in sweet-and-savoury dishes, for example with chicken and pineapple. It can also be incorporated into plant-based recipes and paired with ingredients such as soya protein.
Kabocha squash
Kabocha squash is often referred to as Japanese pumpkin. The term “kabocha” is commonly used in Japanese for certain types of winter squash.
What are the characteristics of kabocha squash?
Kabocha squash is recognisable by its dark green to blue-green skin and bright orange flesh. It is known for its rich, pleasantly sweet flavour.
How do you cook kabocha squash?
Once cooked, kabocha flesh becomes relatively dry and crumbly. This texture makes it suitable for a wide range of dishes, and it can be used in a similar way to other firm-fleshed winter squashes.
Stripetti squash
Stripetti belongs to the same group as spaghetti squash. Like spaghetti squash, it can be used as a vegetable alternative to traditional pasta.
What are the characteristics of Stripetti squash?
Stripetti squash has fibrous flesh similar to spaghetti squash. However, it is distinguished by a sweeter, slightly fruitier flavour.
How do you cook Stripetti squash?
Stripetti squash can add both colour and texture to dishes. Once cooked, its strands can be used as vegetable “pasta”. It can also be roasted in the oven and added to recipes such as spring rolls or other vegetable-based dishes.
Other types of squash
In addition to these well-known varieties, there are many other types of squash, including:
- Sweet Dumpling squash, a winter variety with nutty and chestnut-like notes,
- Buttercup squash, with dry, dark orange flesh,
- Butterkin, a hybrid combining characteristics of pumpkin and butternut squash,
- Delicata squash, an older variety that works well for fries, preserves or even sorbets,
- Heart of Gold squash, a hybrid from the acorn squash group,
- Hubbard squash, with its bumpy skin and flavour that can be reminiscent of chestnuts.
This is only a small selection of the many different varieties of squash available.
