Organic Squash Green Hokkaido

Squash: Green Hokkaido
Cucurbita maxima
Approx. 5-6 seeds per gram
Squash has become such a popular vegetable to grow over the last decade or so – and for good reason.
Butternut is one of the best known but there are so many varieties to choose from. There are summer and winter types.
Summer squash are thin-skinned with a lighter, moist flesh. They are best eaten fresh.
Winter squash have a harder skin and dense flesh with a more intense flavour. They can be stored for a few months after harvest.

Green Hokkaido is definitely one of our very favourite squashes, thanks to its dry and nutty-flavoured, orange flesh. The fruits are dark green with a light green stripe and weigh in at about 1-1.5kg. The plants are trailing but not too much and the fruits will store until January or February from an October harvest.

How to grow:
Grow in the miscellaneous section of your rotation.
Sow seeds in large modules or 8cm pots in April and May.
Harden off and plant into the growing site after all danger of frost has passed. Plant at a distance of at least 60cm. Keep watered if the weather is dry after planting.
The vines are vigorous with large leaves. Yellow trumpet flowers appear and the pollination between male and female flowers is done by bees and other insects.
Harvest the squashes when ready from September to November and before the first frosts.
Pests and diseases:
Squashes are easy to grow and do not suffer from many pests and diseases. Slugs can be problem at planting out and you may have to protect the young plants with environmentally friendly slug protection.
How to cook:
Squashes are very versatile in the kitchen. They make great soup and are also very good in stews and curry. The skin can be pretty hard and difficult to remove so take care when cutting them up.
Winter squashes make excellent spicy wedges. Put a small amount of oil and spices in a bowl and stir in prepared squash until coated. Roast in a hot oven for 20 or 30 minutes until soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Serve in wraps with lettuce and yoghurt or guacamole, or as a side dish with chilli.