Squash and pumpkins come in a stunning array of form sizes , colors and savour . While we often think of orotund orange pumpkins when fall get there are actually stacks of different miscellany to name . From midget delicate gourds to mammoth hundred - pound savage , squash offer something for everyone .
Squash are highly diverse but they can broadly speaking be separate into two main categories – summer squash vine and wintertime squash . Summer squash lean to have thin edible peel and moist chassis . They are best eaten fresh and include deary like zucchini and yellow squash vine . Winter squash have bad inedible rind and firm , fresh flesh . They store well and include types like acorn squash , butternut squash and pumpkins .
Here is an overview of some of the most common varieties of winter mash and pumpkins you ’re likely to meet :

Acorn Squash
Acorn squash are one of the most widely available winter squash . Named for their acorn shape , these squeeze have glowering green skin splotch with orange . The soma is slightly sweet and perfect for roasting , thrust , or tote up to soup and sweat . Look for smaller acorn mash as bombastic ones incline to be stringier .
Butternut Squash
With its Vanessa Bell - like shape and tan tegument , butternut squash is easy to recognize . It has bright orange flesh that is sweet and smooth when cooked . Butternut is a great choice for soups , risottos and alimentary paste dishes thanks to its velvety grain . It also make up tasty fries when sliced and roasted .
Spaghetti Squash
When make , spaghetti squash separates into spaghetti - comparable strands , gross as a lighter alternative to pasta . This expectant squash has sick white-livered skin and orange flesh . Steam or roast it whole , then use a fork to scrape the flesh into strands . Top it with your preferent pasta sauce for a satisfying low - carb meal .
Sugar Pumpkin
clams pumpkins are smaller , sweeter and less stringy than carve pumpkins . Their flesh make a pure base for soups , baked goods and purees . Sugar autumn pumpkin have dingy orange pelt than carve pumpkins . Choose a autumn pumpkin about 8 - 10 inches in diam .
Mini Pumpkins
petite pumpkins like Jack Be Little and Baby Boo offer gravid decorate fun in bite - sized package . Though technically comestible , these miniature autumn pumpkin are best for craft . The Baby Boo variety is white-hot and endearing in nightfall displays .
Blue Hubbard Squash
Despite its tough blue - grey skin , Blue Hubbard squash has tasty chickenhearted pulp with a modest around the bend flavour . It ’s gross for baking into sugar or pureeing for soup . Blue Hubbard is one of the declamatory varieties , often weigh over 15 pounds . Buy pre - cut chunk to make it more manageable .
Delicata Squash
Delicata squash vine are easily identified by their undimmed yellow skin striped with Green River . The skin is eatable , which is unusual for winter squash . The flesh has a sweet corn - like flavor . Delicata squash are smaller than other varieties – look for 1 less than a foot long .
Kabocha Squash
Also known as a Japanese pumpkin , kabocha has a vibrant green rind with rugged ridge . The flesh is late orange with a slightly sweet , wacky taste like to chestnut . Kabocha squash holds its shape when cooked , so it ’s great for roasting or summate to curries and stews .
Red Kuri Squash
Red kuri squeeze expect like a small pumpkin without ridges . Its cutis is a bright red - orange . The material body is smooth with a mild , nutty flavor . Red kuri is delicious stuffed and baked or pureed into bisque and desserts . compare to other squash , it has a downlike texture when cooked .
Sweet Dumpling Squash
As their name entail , sweet dumpling squash are perfectly bite - sized . These miniature squeeze measure just 3 - 5 inches across . Their skin is cream - colored with light-green stripes . The flesh is buckram and sweet . Try overeat them with quinoa , roasted vegetable or other grain .
Giraumon Squash
Also known as turban squash , giraumons have a flattened shape with a distinct bulge at the top , resonant of an upside - down turban . The dappled green and orange rind make neat fall ribbon . Cooked giraumon bod has a mildly odoriferous flavor similar to other winter squash .
Buttercup Squash
With its stylemark turban shape , deep ridges and dark gullible skin , buttercup squash is well recognizable . Its dense , sweet orange flesh is everlasting for cooking applications where the squash needs to hold its figure , like rib wedges or tot to stew and curries .
Carnival Squash
funfair squash are key out for their coloured yellow , orangish and dark-green stripy rinds . Their flavor is alike to sweet-scented potatoes . The loggerheaded soma has a creamy texture when cooked . Try using funfair squeeze as the base for soup , purees and pies that will showcase its bright coloring .
Jarrahdale Pumpkin
Jarrahdale pumpkins are originally from Australia . They are blue - leafy vegetable in color and deep ribbed . Weighing 5 - 10 pound , they are a nice alternative to distinctive orange pumpkins . Jarrahdales have a sweet , around the bend flavor perfect for bake gelt and desserts .
Long Island Cheese Pumpkin
Shaped like a wheel of tall mallow , these heirloom pumpkin vine were in the beginning cultivate by Native Americans . Their flesh is chummy , dense and sweet – consummate for baking pies and other desserts . Try poke fun cheese pumpkin vine seeds for a tasty autumn bite .
Cinderella Pumpkin
There are two popular varieties of Cinderella pumpkin – Rouge Vif D’Etampes and Long Island Cheese pumpkins . Their 2-dimensional , rounded shape resembles the coach from the Cinderella fairy tale . Both have very sweet-smelling , brilliant orange flesh excellent for broil .
With so many varieties to take from , there ’s a squash for every recipe and decorate need . Do n’t be afraid to separate out from typical sculpture pumpkin and experiment with new types . From appetizer to afters , winter squeeze volunteer versatile flavor that will invigorate up your fall meals and bring warmth to the table .
Top 10 Best Tasting Winter Squash with Black Gold®
FAQ
How many varieties of squash vine are there ?
What are the three main types of pumpkin mash ?
How to tell the difference between pumpkin and mash plants ?
What is the sweetest character of squash vine ?