8 Fun Facts About Squash
North American Indians were enjoying many different varieties of squash before the Europeans arrived. The Indians grew their squash together with corns and beans on little hills because these three food plants actually grew healthier this way. The squash is enjoyed for its delicate flavor and its incredible nutritional value.
image via City of Holland
1. Squash is officially a fruit and the smaller the squash, the more flavorsome it will be.
2. There are both winter and summer varieties of squash so you can get “squashed” year round.
3. The winter varieties produce more beta carotene after storage than when the squash is fresh from the vine.
4. When spaghetti squash is cooked, it forms delicious strands that can be covered with your favorite spaghetti squash or just butter and salt.
5. The sweet dumpling squash is so sweet that all you have to do remove the top and the seeds, bake whole and serve with butter and cinnamon as a dessert.
6. Many parts of the squash plant, besides its flesh, are edible including the seeds, leaves, tendrils, shoots and flowers.
7. The tradition of lighting candles inside a carved pumpkin at Halloween is originally from Ireland where lit vegetables were hung in the window to ward off Jack O’ Lantern, a wayward soul condemned by the devil to walk the earth for all eternity.
8. George Washington, the first U. S. president, loved to grow squash.
Many gardeners enjoy growing squash because, depending on the variety, one squash plant can produce much fruit and it is very easy to grow. You practically just have to bury the seed, water occasionally and watch the squash grow.
Any variety of squash will provide loads of fiber, beta carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and protein.
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I’m ashamed, I had only heard of butternut squash. Thanks for the educations!
Nick:
No need to be ashamed. There is a vast ocean of veggies we both have not heard about. Keep visiting my blog to learn more. Cheers, Missy.
I highly recommend butternut squash with quinoa. It’s yummy. I bet an interesting book could be written on what the founding fathers grew. Quite a few of them were farmers.
Missy – thanks for this. Great article! I found you via the Carnival of the Green. We are going to be growing Butternut Squash this year, so I was really reassured to hear that it’s easy ; ) Keep up the good work, and do drop by to our site and say hi sometime!
[...] The Smarter Wallet. Reading this submission has me craving some organic fruit! Missy Diaz presents 8 Fun Facts About Squash posted at Groovy Vegetarian. I learned about the deliciousness of squash at my wedding in 2006 [...]
Genaro: I have yet to try Quinoa. But will soon as it is an ingredient i keep running into. Not too mention it is full of nutrition and is suppose to be quite flexible a treat. Thanxs for the tip. And yes what an an excellent book idea you have there. “Vegetables Our Founding Fathers Grew”. Sounds like a winner to me, i can totally see it on a bookshelf at Border’s. Nice!!!
VBR: Hey, thanxs for coming over. Glad you found the article reassuring. Off to go visit your blog. Thanxs for the visit.
Great post about squash and some great information.
answer addict » Thanxs!!!
I have never heard many of those things you listed about squash. I think it is one of those produce that is under appreciated and many people are not informed enough on how to cook them. When my local farmer’s market begins to carry squash, I will be sure to start buying more as they sound really tasty
I hate squash, however it is really good fried
Butternut squash soup is my favorite holiday soup. Highly recommend it!
ah never new about all these squash
Ahhhhh.. I’m really jealous!!! we are don’t have such squash here. I wish I can taste them.