An organic butternut squash
Presenting–drum-roll, please–my first home-grown butternut squash!
After nurturing and pampering my four butternut squash plants since May, I have harvested my first squash! It may not have the classic butternut shape, but that just adds to its charm, in my opinion.
It weighs in at a magnificent 563g, and in case you hadn’t noticed… I’m really, really proud of myself for actually managing to grow something!
There are another four squash ripening on their vines–two are almost fully ripe–so we shall have a small feast… eventually.
I’ve really enjoyed growing squash. Because they’re such big plants the fruits form quickly–and die quickly–so you can practically watch them grow and get immediate satisfaction.
Way back I mentioned that there were about 15 squash growing on the plants. I’m afraid that the summer–or lack thereof–put paid to them. Squashes are pretty easy-going plants, but they do need warmth and sunshine to keep the fruit growing. We’ve had a foul summer this year: about 90% rain and 10% sunshine. Even the ever-reliable plum tree has struggled to fruit and normally it positively drips with luscious red plums.
Unsurprisingly my fennel has given up its valiant struggle against the elements and now refuses to grow at all. I’ll be chucking it away–and I guess the compost, too, since it was container grown–when I harvest the rest of the squash.
Next year I’ll definitely grow squash again. I’ll probably cut back to two butternuts, though, as they trail everywhere, and add in a bushy gem squash plant and some lovely yellow courgettes. Hopefully the weather will be better!
So, I’m curious. What would you do with this small and imperfect, yet beautiful, squash? I’m leaning towards cutting it into wedges and roasting it with just some salt and pepper. On one hand that seems like the ideal way to showcase its natural flavour, but on the other hand… it’s a bit boring.
All suggestions welcome!
Follow me on Twitter
Become a Facebook fan
That looks fantastic! Congratulations on your squash and 563g! Wow, that is huge. Hmmm as for what to make, I always think cake hehe
Looks great, even my Mum who has very green fingers has really struggled this year. Our french beans are non-exsistent, the sweet peas refused to produce flowers and the courgettes are just pitiful, and the tomatoes refuse to turn from green to red even in a green house.
Hi Lorranie! I do have a few squash cake recipes that I keep meaning to try..
Hi Katie! Yes, this year has been dire. All the gardening forums are full of people talking about how poor their harvests have been
It must be even worse if you’re used to being successful in the garden.
Ricotta Squash Gnocchi!
Halve them, seed them, then roast them with butter and maple syrup. Or orange juice and ginger.
We grew a butternut squash vine too. Only one fruit so far. Hopefully it’ll hold out until Fall.
Wow congratulations on your homegrown butternut squash. I love it roasted and then dipped in cream cheese with a bit of chili in it or made into a soup as it gives a wonderfully smooth texture.
Fabulous! Nothing tastes as good as the food you grow yourself. You can puree some of the cooked squash and freeze it for soups later in the winter, too.
Congrats Angela! Your squash is beautiful and I see you have some ideas so far. How about a sweet bread using a pumpkin bread recipe and substitute your squash. Although I do like roast ideas. Love your website and reading your blog.
I don’t know what kind of soil you have, but fennel likes a lot of drainage. My last garden was composed mainly of sand which gave the fennel room to grow. If you try them again, add a bit of sand to the soil.
Lovely squash. I love the butternut.
well done! She’s a beauty!
OK, now I am DEAD impressed!! I also have 3 butternut plants in my garden, but despite looking quite happy and trailing bloody everywhere, and flowering copiously, the fruit does not seem to be setting. OK, I did plant them rather late, but I don’t think the awful weather has helped
Your squash looks perfectly lovely. And btw, where did you get the gem squash seeds from? I’d love to try and grow those as they are a South African staple.
As for recipe ideas, we are always eating butternut, so here are three favourites:
Lightly curried butternut soup:
http://cooksister.typepad.com/cook_sister/2004/08/pauls_famous_bu.html
Baked butternut stuffed with spinach and feta:
http://www.cooksister.com/2007/08/roasted-buttern.html
Easy butternut bake:
http://www.cooksister.com/2007/11/couldnt-be-easi.html
Roasted butternut, feta and rosemary quiche:
http://cooksister.typepad.com/cook_sister/2005/10/eurofood_blogge.html
Well done you! I know how satisfying it is - you should feel v. proud!
This is the best recipe I have found for butternut squash, absolutely delicious and makes a superb meal out of such a gem! Especially if your vegetarian
http://www.tesco.com/recipes/product.aspx?R=751&bci=4294967026%7CGrains%20and%20pulses
Way to go on your first squash! I gotta get a garden started next year!!
Thank-you all for your wonderful suggestions!
In the end, as the squash was so small, I wound up roasting it and turning it into a creamy pasta sauce. It was delicious! (But not very photogenic, alas.)