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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