wintertime squashesare leisurely - to - grow crop , even for founding father gardener . They ’re splendid for tenacious - term computer storage , and their flavorful flesh is delicious roasted , philander or puréed into soup . The only trouble with most winter squash mixed bag is that sometimes the fruits are too bighearted .
Because I ’m the only one in my house who likes to eat them , a full - sized winter squash is more than I can eat in one meal . To conquer this event , over the last few old age , I ’ve planted several miniature - fruited winter squash varieties . Each fruit is single serve well - sized , make it a perfect dinner side mantrap .
These mini wintertime - squash selection are both flavorful and prolific .
Honeynut Squash
Of all the mini wintertime squashes Honeynut ( pictured above ) is belike my ducky . Each adorable , personal - sized fruit is very sweet . They take care like miniature butternut squash , weighing only a half dog pound to a pound each . breed at Cornell University , Honeynut is a must - grow for me every year .
Butterbush Squash
I wish this variety for container growing . Not only are the fruit minuscule , but so are the vine . Reaching only 3 to 4 feet wide , the vine of Butterbush are perfect for small - space gardening . The fruits are slenderly larger and lighter skinned than Honeynut , but the sapidity is definitely there . The frame of the fruit is very dark orangish , and it has a smooth grain when cooked . Each vine produces about four squash .
Small Wonder Squash
If you delight spaghetti squash but do n’t want to be overwhelmed with too much of it , this is the variety for you . Each Small Wonder produces the everlasting individual - sized portion of “ spaghetti . ” The oval yield have xanthous pelt and yellow flesh , and they ’re delicious roast and top out with a little butter or pasta sauce .
Sweet Dumpling Squash
A miniature - fruited dumpling assortment , this squash produces perfect , 1 - Lebanese pound yield with white - and - green stripy hide . The tender national flesh is a beautiful Orange River . I care Sweet Dumpling far well than acorn - type squash .
Honey Bear Squash
Speaking of acorn - types , ‘ Honey Bear ’ is probably the well miniature one . Each fruit is only about four inches foresighted and weigh less than a pound . The plants are stocky and produce high yields . The fruits have a traditional acorn - squash flavor , and the variety won a 2009 All - America Selections award for its disease resistance , yield and flavor .
Plant Your Winter Squash Now
To grow winter squash vine , sow seeds forthwith into the garden as presently as the risk of Robert Frost has communicate . Plant full - sized diversity 4 to 6 feet apart , while bush - types can be spaced 2 to 3 feet aside . Most variety require between 90 and 110 days to give maturity , and you ’ll know the fruit are ripe when the rind ca n’t be dented with a crush of your fingernail .
When harvest home winter squash , leave 1 to 2 inches of root on each fruit . let the skins to cure by putting the harvest squash in a ardent , juiceless location for four or five days . For maximum shelf life , hive away them at 50 to 55 degree F with 55- to 70 - per centum humidness .
