Help with squash

[Grace]

I remember seeing a thread awhile back where some kind person posted a link to a site that showed pictures and gave descriptions of various different varieties of squashes. I did a search, and couldn't find anything. I received in my weekly shipment of organic vegetables, a squash that I am unfamiliar with. It looks great, but I don't know what exactly to do with it. It is sort of oblong (but not really long), ridged, but skinny ridges as opposed to big wide ridges like an acorn squash. It is mostly yellow, and the crevasses of the ridges are green. The one I have is about 7 inches long and about 4 or 5 inches in diameter.

Do I need to peel this thing? For what other kinds of squash might I substitute this one? And WHAT'S IT CALLED??!! :D :confused:

Thanks for your help everyone.....these "mystery boxes" I get every week sure are fun!

[Grace]

OK, nevermind. I searched the web and found my answers. It is called a "Delicata Squash", also known as a sweet potato squash. The rind is edible, and it's supposed to be very sweet like a sweet potato.

Now......to find some good recipes.....:D

[cchhbb]

Grace,

What company do you get your mystery box from? Can you give some details about what is in your box each week and the cost please. I would love to get such a surprise each week and need to investigate my options.

Thanks,
Cheryl

[Grace]

I am a "shareholder" in a Community Supported Agriculture farm (CSA). Mine is local, as are most of them, as far as I know (so you'll have to look for one in your area). I pay approximately $20 a week for a 3/4 bushel box of completely ORGANIC vegetables. You pay the whole thing at the beginning of the year though, you can't pay by the week. The farm I belong to is called Angelic Organics. You can peruse their site at www.angelicorganics.com

They give a very detailed explanation of their system, philosophies, what comes in each box, costs, etc. I enjoy it very much, and will be signing up for next year for sure.

I really love that I am now forced to cook with things I normally would never buy. It has broadened my horizons quite a bit, and it is actually fairly inexpensive if you consider the prices of organic veggies at Whole Foods or your local grocery store (they aren't cheap!), and these are 100 times fresher, and in many cases, better quality. They typically pick them and pack them the day before they deliver the boxes.

[JennyFal]

Grace,
I, too, am a shareholder at Angelic Organics & received the same squash. I'm not sure what to do with it...maybe make stuffed squash. Sort of a winter squash version of stuffed zucchini.

I love picking up my box each week & checking out the goodies. I have a hard time consuming it all, though, since my DH's idea of vegetables is corn & mashed potatoes. He's not at all adventurous vegetable-wise. He's getting better, but I have a long way to go converting him. So, I end up giving a good chunk of my box to my in-laws or parents. I may go back to buying from Whole Foods next year because it's more cost-effective for me.:(

Did you get a pumpkin this week? I got the most gorgeous ten-pounder. It's so pretty I don't want the cook it!

[Grace]

Hi Jenny -

Isn't the box fun? I love it. I give a little bit of mine to my Mom each week, but she lives alone and doesn't eat that much, so she doesn't really take much. I try very hard to use everything up. It is difficult, but it really forces us to eat more vegetables, which is only a good thing. My husband is pretty adventurous and is appreciative of the efforts I make to plan, shop, cook and the efforts I make to make sure we're eating healthy, so he's always willing to try whatever I make (he doesn't always like everything though!)

I used my kale in the Portuguese Potato and Kale Chowder last night (a CL recipe), and it was FANTASTIC! My husband liked it too. I will absolutely make that one again. I was looking for ways to use kale, since the first time I tried it, I wasn't really crazy about it. But it's absolutely delicious in this soup.

Yes, I got a little pumpkin too - I haven't used it yet. I want to make a pie or some scones or pancakes, or SOMETHING! Pie pumpkins taste different (sweeter) than regular carving pumpkins, so I definitely want to eat it.

And I still haven't found the recipe that really rings my bell yet for the squash, but fortunately those last a couple of weeks, so I'm not in a hurry for that one. I will know it when I see it! I'm enjoying the box more and more, as I like fall veggies I think better than spring veggies. And I sure am glad they're not giving so many tomatoes anymore. Wow, am I inundated. I have my own tomatoes in the garden, and I let almost all of them rot on the vines. Sinful, I know, but really, I was overwhelmed with tomatoes! All the neighbors have their own plants and are looking to get rid of their extras, otherwise I would have given them away.

Let me know if you come across a great way to make that delicata squash! :)

[ewatkins]

I have found delicata squash at my grocery store, from a company called Frieda's. It sells a lot of "exotic" produce. There are often recipes on the squash label, but I don't have any now. There is a web site , I believe. Maybe that will help... I think I just baked the last one I bought, with brown sugar, as I do for acorn.