Discerning squash varieties?

[Detlor Poultry]

What's the difference between Acorn, Buttercup, and Kabocha squashes? There is no segragation between colors (they all can come in all colors) or shape (they all seem to be round-flat) or storage (they are all 3 month storage squashes) or size (they are all somewhat saml 1-6 lbs.). So what's left? What's the difference?

 

[hoodat]

Basically they are interchangeable in the kitchen but there are subtle differences in taste. Acorn is your basic squash taste without much sweetness. Buttercup is a bit sweeter and kabocha has more of a pumpkin flavor. It makes excellent pumpkin pies.

 

[digitS']

If you are interested in saving seed:

Buttercup and Kabocha squashes are Cucurbita maxima.

Acorn is a Cucurbita pepo. C. pepo can turn into a real mix since the species includes the summer squashes and Jack o'Lantern pumpkins. So, your zucchini will likely cross with it as will your neighbor's pumpkins, on the other side of the fence. Again, it is concern to you only if you want to save seed (or, allow volunteers to grow ).

The Buttercups & Kabochas -- very similar. The Japanese have done a lot with those kabochas and they come in a lot of different varieties. I need one with really early maturity and Cha Cha has done well for me for 2 seasons. They seem to be very much like Burgess Buttercup except they don't have the big button (a wasted part of the fruit in the kitchen) and they are quite small. Cha Cha may be a good choice. Still, it seems like a new Kabocha hits the market every other year .

Steve

 

[vfem]

What's the difference between Acorn, Buttercup, and Kabocha squashes? There is no segragation between colors (they all can come in all colors) or shape (they all seem to be round-flat) or storage (they are all 3 month storage squashes) or size (they are all somewhat saml 1-6 lbs.). So what's left? What's the difference?

Ahhh... so much difference, and even in the varieties themselves!

I LOVE to cook and find each has such a unique flavor there are so not a like in the kitchen. I find the acorn takes on smokey flavors well, the buttercup almost like its creamy and I would add half/half & butter to bring out its flavor... the Kabocha I have not had yet.

Just my opinion.

 

[Detlor Poultry]

If you are interested in saving seed:

Buttercup and Kabocha squashes are Cucurbita maxima.

Acorn is a Cucurbita pepo. C. pepo can turn into a real mix since the species includes the summer squashes and Jack o'Lantern pumpkins. So, your zucchini will likely cross with it as will your neighbor's pumpkins, on the other side of the fence. Again, it is concern to you only if you want to save seed (or, allow volunteers to grow ).

The Buttercups & Kabochas -- very similar. The Japanese have done a lot with those kabochas and they come in a lot of different varieties. I need one with really early maturity and Cha Cha has done well for me for 2 seasons. They seem to be very much like Burgess Buttercup except they don't have the big button (a wasted part of the fruit in the kitchen) and they are quite small. Cha Cha may be a good choice. Still, it seems like a new Kabocha hits the market every other year .

Steve

Okay, another question: Can Pepo/Mixta/Maxima (any combo) hybrids reproduce, or are the sterile?

Thank you everyone for your responses!

 

[digitS']

I don't imagine that you would get a hybrid to begin with. Generally, different species will not cross-pollination.

Are you planning to grow C. mixta? Not too many gardeners are interested in these, commonly called Cushaw squash.

You haven't mentioned C. moschata: Butternut, Cheese pumpkin. C. moschata might be the over-sexed species in the family because there is some information out there about inter-species crosses with this one.

If you will do a google book search for Organic Seed Production and Saving by Bryan Connolly, you will find him saying "I have intentionally attempted to cross pepo and moschata many times without any resulting seeds." He does say, "I have seen an occasional cross between C. maxima and C. moschata but the resulting plants have been sterile . . ."

Don't know any more than I read but sterile plants from an inter-species cross does look like a possibility.

Steve

edited to add: there are other Cucurbita out there but they aren't too commonly grown. If you are interested in gourds in your garden, you should find out their species. Some of what we call gourds are sisters to the squashes.

 

[Detlor Poultry]

I don't imagine that you would get a hybrid to begin with. Generally, different species will not cross-pollination.

Are you planning to grow C. mixta? Not too many gardeners are interested in these, commonly called Cushaw squash.

You haven't mentioned C. moschata: Butternut, Cheese pumpkin. C. moschata might be the over-sexed species in the family because there is some information out there about inter-species crosses with this one.

If you will do a google book search for Organic Seed Production and Saving by Bryan Connolly, you will find him saying "I have intentionally attempted to cross pepo and moschata many times without any resulting seeds." He does say, "I have seen an occasional cross between C. maxima and C. moschata but the resulting plants have been sterile . . ."

Don't know any more than I read but sterile plants from an inter-species cross does look like a possibility.

Steve

edited to add: there are other Cucurbita out there but they aren't too commonly grown. If you are interested in gourds in your garden, you should find out their species. Some of what we call gourds are sisters to the squashes.

Sorry for the confusion, I actually meant Moschata (those names can get confusing). I don't think I'll be growing Butternuts this year, then. They were only 1 variety of about 12 I was plannig, all the rest are Pepo (2) and Maxima (8). I don't want a bunch of dead-end hybrids, although I don't mind the crosses I'm going to get betwixt the varieties. I think some Gouds are even small inedible varieties of the other species, but I think most belong to there own species... Thanks again for the assistance.