With their unique shapes and spotty colors, winter squash are just as eye-catching in holiday centerpieces as they are on your plate. Contrary to what you might think, winter squash is not grown in the wintertime, but in the summer, with harvesting usually done in September and October. They get their name thanks to their thicker rinds, which allow them to be stored for use in the colder months.

Winter Squash Varieties 

Winter squash come in many shapes, sizes and colors. You’ve probably heard of butternut, acorn and spaghetti squash, but around 35 varieties of winter squash exist, and they have some pretty humorous names. There’s the long island cheese squash, the Georgia candy roaster, the Queensland blue pumpkin and the fairytale pumpkin squash to name a few. Then we have the Big Max, which is a pumpkin that can grow to as much as 100lbs!

Winter Squash Nutrition

Many winter squash varieties bring similar nutritional values, such as high amounts of vitamins A and C. Most are very high in beta-carotene, which supports healthy vision and immune function. They’re also low in calories while being high in dietary fiber, making them a great choice for healthy management of blood sugar, cholesterol and weight. In addition, winter squash contains generous amounts of magnesium and potassium, which are linked to healthy blood pressure.

Delicious Possibilities

Squash in general is quite versatile in the kitchen. I personally love using spaghetti squash in place of noodles. Stir some homemade pesto into the cooked, noodle-like shreds, add a few sliced cherry tomatoes and some Parmesan and I’m in heaven.

Butternut squash is often found stuffed inside delicious little ravioli pockets, and acorn squash sometimes shows up in your tempura. Other ideas include slicing up some strips of winter squash and baking them with seasonings for a healthier French fry alternative, pureeing cooked squash into a soup with some warm wintery spices, or roasting halved or sliced squash with your favorite fresh herbs. If you’re pressed for time, you can test-drive butternut squash in our Vegetable Coconut Curry Pilaf.

Got any favorite winter squash recipes to share? Post them in the comments, over on our Facebook page, or on Twitter at @luvoinc.