Storing Squash
It's been another good year for squash and pumpkins, which should be ready for harvesting now. 'Winter squash' is a term you may have heard, but this just refers to varieties you harvest in the autumn, to store and use in winter - not grown through the winter like winter cabbages.
Immature squashes do not store well, so make sure the fruits are mature before you harvest them. Generally this is when the foliage has died off and the stems and skins are hard. Cut the squash away from the plant leaving several inches of stem. Make sure you bring them in before the first frost.
If they are not quite ripe, all is not lost - just bring them into the house for a couple of weeks to cure in a warm place. The bottom of the fruit, which lay on the ground, will ripen off if you leave it in a sunny place such a windowsill with this side facing upwards. You could also put them in the airing cupboard. It's best to eat these squashes first, rather than storing them through the winter.
Once fully ripe, your squashes should be stored indoors, in a coolish, dry place. Low humidity and a temperature of 10 - 15°C is best. Unlike most over-winter stored veg, they don't like to be kept in the cold. The garage is for potatoes, not squash! Examine the fruit occasionally to check for blotches or softness and use these first.
Roast, bake, mash or make into soup - enjoy!
Immature squashes do not store well, so make sure the fruits are mature before you harvest them. Generally this is when the foliage has died off and the stems and skins are hard. Cut the squash away from the plant leaving several inches of stem. Make sure you bring them in before the first frost.
If they are not quite ripe, all is not lost - just bring them into the house for a couple of weeks to cure in a warm place. The bottom of the fruit, which lay on the ground, will ripen off if you leave it in a sunny place such a windowsill with this side facing upwards. You could also put them in the airing cupboard. It's best to eat these squashes first, rather than storing them through the winter.
Once fully ripe, your squashes should be stored indoors, in a coolish, dry place. Low humidity and a temperature of 10 - 15°C is best. Unlike most over-winter stored veg, they don't like to be kept in the cold. The garage is for potatoes, not squash! Examine the fruit occasionally to check for blotches or softness and use these first.
Roast, bake, mash or make into soup - enjoy!
Submitted by Tigger
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