Heirloom Squash Stash

[Talal]

Greetings Gents,

Networking at local farmers markets has its benefits! As shown by this bounty below! Picked up about 30 organic squashes in september and im at least half way into them . Varieties include:

• Galleux D'eysines
• Sweet potato
• cinderella pumpkin
• Jarrahdale pumpkin
• Flat White Boer
• Grey hubbard
• Triamble
• Grey Ghost
• porcelain doll
• marina di chioggia
• acorn squash
• futsu

My favourites are the Galleux D'eysines (makes the silkiest soup EVER), Flat white boer and procelain doll ( lovely sweet flesh).

Honestly though they are all delicious in their own right..


some pictures :










Some massive Galleux D'eysines:




The Galleux D'eysines rot quicker so i cut up the largest one into cubes and froze it to enjoy it next year , i try not to run out of this squash its too good. Bagged it up into 6 seperate bags to use in a myriad of recipes. Below are the processing shots.. Thank heavens for my Deba.. which made quick work out of it.








I think ive become a squash cutting expert at this point

 

[Talal]

not many squash fans i see

unfortunate

 

[oldbluelight]

That's quite a haul. If they're heirloom varieties did you consider saving any seed?

 

[JaDo]

That's quite a haul. If they're heirloom varieties did you consider saving any seed?

I am curious to know, too.

 

[9 Iron]

How are you planning to cook those? I'm thinking about a squash gratin for thanksgiving.

 

[Talal]

i did save some seeds for some friends certainly

with regards to cooking, soo many ways i enjoy them such as

-Soups

-in a curry (think carribean style , coconut milk etc) . Depending on the variety of curry different accompanying veggies or beans will accompany. Chick peas work great with them. I think i mostly do it this way as depending on my mood i season differently.

-as a sauce for pasta (ive come up with a neat pure squash sauce , using coconut milk saffron and ginger )

- in desserts

-ravioli or gnocchi



Gratin sounds delicious too

 

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

roasted squash with cream, a drop of honey and oregano is pretty tasty on pasta. Add a little roasted chicken and I'm happy.

 

[Wishoot]

Can raw, cut squash be frozen?

 

[Talal]

Can raw, cut squash be frozen?

yes , most do it in puree form cooked but you can do it this way too from what ive read. Its my first time trying it this way hope it works out well

 

[Talal]

Making a soup with this pumpkin this evening

it was incredible in a curry cant wait to see how it fares in tonights dinner!

 

[igasho]

Talal, if you have any extra seeds from the squash you wouldn't mind sending out to the west coast I have a 20x8' garden im setting up for next year

 

[YetiDave]

That's some freaky lookin' veg you have there! Squash is admittedly something I've overlooked, maybe that should change

 

[Talal]

Talal, if you have any extra seeds from the squash you wouldn't mind sending out to the west coast I have a 20x8' garden im setting up for next year

I did save some but im not sure as to the protocol as to how to wash or store them properly? Ive washed a few several times and lay them to dry but they seem to smell a bit.

Any tips? be happy to save you some Sir, im all about spreading good food to all parts of the earth

That's some freaky lookin' veg you have there! Squash is admittedly something I've overlooked, maybe that should change

Yea Dave, its something i got into last year when at the farmers market i noticed this vendor with 2 funky pieces, we talked and he told me his girlfriend specializes in heirloom squashes, i got her contact for next year (this year) and made sure to prebook a ton of rare varieties . Since im on a temporary vegetarian diet too, squash is extremely substantial and goes well in alot of dishes.

I never knew how much i loved squash to be honest, so much can be done with it! so far im very happy with the pasta sauces i made from it

I highly recommend you give some varieties a try, if you ever need any tips with them be happy to help as well, at this point im familiar with at least 15 strains.

hmmm i think its time for couscous!!

 

[Alacrity59]

Squash is great. My favourite is roast in the oven with a little butter or olive oil and brown sugar. My wife's family love a dish with mashed squash topped with brown sugar and pecans/walnuts and then oven baked. . . a desert vegetable! How good can it get.

Hard winter squash is much of what celebration of harvest is all about. Stuff that can be stored and eaten all winter.

 

[Talal]

Squash is great. My favourite is roast in the oven with a little butter or olive oil and brown sugar. My wife's family love a dish with mashed squash topped with brown sugar and pecans/walnuts and then oven baked. . . a desert vegetable! How good can it get.

Hard winter squash is much of what celebration of harvest is all about. Stuff that can be stored and eaten all winter.

Exactly Mike, Thats part of my love and respect for this "mighty" vegetable. Including its dense nutrition its hardy and stores well , some for 2 years + if done properly. Ive learned a trick to oil the skins with some coconut oil as to keep fungus at bay

I also know very well that brown sugar pecan dish you speak of, my mother in law makes it every holiday season. its coming up soon in fact!

I just never realized how each variety is special in its own flavourful way!!

 

[oc_in_fw]

not many squash fans i see

unfortunate

Oh, I love squash.

Squash is great. My favourite is roast in the oven with a little butter or olive oil and brown sugar. My wife's family love a dish with mashed squash topped with brown sugar and pecans/walnuts and then oven baked. . . a desert vegetable! How good can it get.

Hard winter squash is much of what celebration of harvest is all about. Stuff that can be stored and eaten all winter.

Try some marjoram with the butter and brown sugar. I have used it quite a bit.