Butternut Squash

A Thanksgiving favorite! The butternut squash is one of the most versatile squashes available, as it purees easily without too much fiber and can be roasted for a delicious Thanksgiving side dish. Butternut squash's sweet, nutty flavor makes it easy for anyone to eat, and its seeds can be roasted for a tasty snack!

How do you know which butternut squash is best for picking? Knock on it! If it sounds hollow, then its good to go!

Try this Recipe: Caramelized Butternut Squash

Spaghetti Squash

The most unique award goes to... spaghetti squash! When you cook this squash, the flesh falls away in strands like spaghetti, which is how it got its name. Because it is very mild in flavor, you can easily substitute spaghetti pasta with spaghetti squash for a healthy alternative. Adjust your cooking time accordingly based on whether you want your squash to be on the softer side, or "al dente", just like spaghetti!

Try this Recipe: Spaghetti Squash with Parmesan Cheese

Buttercup Squash

Buttercup squash is as sweet as its name. The more intense the color of the flesh, the more vitamin A it contains! But how do you know if it is ripe? Check its "cap"! When it is mature and ready to eat, the cap is firm. If it is soft, then it is too old. Make sure that the squash is heavy for its size, and has even coloring!

Try this Recipe: Buttercup Squash Soup

Acorn Squash

You missed a spot! Acorn squash is very easy to distinguish by its thick ridges and its single splotch of orange on its skin. Its smaller size makes it ideal for stuffing. Because of its thin skin, this squash will only last a few weeks in storage. But you will probably eat this squash quickly because it is very delicious!

Try this Recipe: Acorn Squash Soup with Kale

Delicata Squash

The particular shape of this squash makes it a fun cooking option! You can eat the skin as it is very thin, and is usually prepared by cutting them into "rings". It is sweet like a sweet potato, with a corn-like flavor. Did you know the difference between a delicata squash and a sweet dumpling squash is its shape? Delicata squashes are the cylindrical variation of the sweet dumpling!

Try this Recipe: Brown Sugar Delicata Squash

Sweet Dumpling Squash

This squash was once called a "Vegetable Gourd", but since no one liked the name, it was renamed to Sweet Dumpling Squash. Now it is unforgettable! The skin on this squash is pretty thick, so it is best cooked with the skin left on. The small size of this squash makes it great for stuffing! It has a slight corn taste and a very sweet flavor. 

Try this Recipe: Glazed Dumpling Squash Recipe