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Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
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Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Kabocha squash is small to medium in size, averaging 1-8 pounds, and is round, squat, and flat at the top and bottom with a short, corky, light brown stem. The firm, textured, coarse rind is a dull, deep green mottled with light green spots and pale, uneven stripes. The thick flesh is spongy, dense, and a deep yellow-orange with a central cavity filled with stringy pulp and many flat, cream-colored seeds. When cooked, Kabocha squash has a finely grained, dry, tender texture with a buttery, sweet, and rich, nutty flavor reminiscent of sweet potato and pumpkin.
Seasons/Availability
Kabocha squash is available year-round, with peak season in the fall through winter.
Current Facts
Kabocha squash, botanically classified as Cucurbita maxima, is a sweet squash variety that is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family along with gourds and pumpkins. Also known as the Japanese pumpkin, Kabocha squash comes in many different varieties of varying colors, and its name can have many diverse meanings in cultures across the world. In Japan, the term Kabocha refers to a generic grouping of many varieties of Japanese winter squashes and pumpkins, but outside of Japan, it refers only to the Kabocha squash varieties. Kabocha squash is favored for its excellent storage capabilities, diverse culinary abilities, and was originally developed to be a sweet and superior flavored cooking squash.
Nutritional Value
Kabocha squash provides vitamins A and C, some B vitamins, calcium, iron, and fiber. The seeds of the Kabocha squash also contain a significant amount of zinc.
Applications
Kabocha squash is best suited for cooked applications such as roasting, steaming, sautéing, baking, frying, and braising. The hard shell of Kabocha squash can be a challenge for some to cut with a knife when uncooked. For ease in cutting, the squash can first be microwaved for a few minutes to soften and can then be cooked with or without the skin. Kabocha squash holds its shape well when cooked and can be added in cubes to gratins, risottos, soups, stews, curries, and pasta. It can also be roasted on its own, combined with other root vegetables, and battered and fried tempura style or used in sushi. When cooked and pureed, it can be used to make bread, croquets, desserts, cakes, and sauces. Kabocha squash pairs well with pears, apples, lemon, kale, spinach, eggplant, garlic, sage, parsley, shallots, cilantro, nutmeg, clove, curry spice, honey, brown sugar, coconut milk, butter, cream, Italian sausage, and parmesan cheese. It will keep 1-3 months when stored in a cool and dry place.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Japan, Kabocha squash is traditionally consumed around the time of the winter solstice with shiruko or adzuki beans in a sweet soup as it is believed to help boost the immune system and help prevent colds during the winter months. Kabocha squash is also known by many names in Japan including kuri kabocha which translates to nutty pumpkin, a nod to the pumpkins flavor and a taste, and is also referred to as haku haku. Kabocha squash commands a high price in the Japanese market, so in the 1980’s, it was introduced to Tonga in efforts to create a cash crop for the country. Since that time, it has become Tonga’s primary export with the bulk of supply going to Korea and Japan.
Geography/History
Squash is believed to have originated in the Americas and was first brought to Asia and Europe by explorers in the sixteenth century. Legend has it that Portuguese explorers then introduced the Kabocha squash to Japan in the mid 16th century and the squash was mistakenly thought to have come from Cambodia because that was the last place the explorers had visited. They called the squash “Cambodia abóbora” which the Japanese renamed to be Kabocha. Today Kabocha squash can be found at farmers markets and specialty grocers in Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, South America, and North America.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Love Boat Sushi-Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-721-3737 |
| Kappa Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-566-3388 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| Blue Ocean La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-999-4073 |
| Sushi Exchange | San Diego CA | 619-961-7218 |
| The Rose | San Diego CA | 619-572-7671 |
| Sushi Tadokoro | San Diego CA | 619-347-2792 |
| Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Neighborhood Burger | San Diego CA | 619-446-0002 |
| Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
| Parq Restaurant and Nightclub | San Diego CA | 619-727-6789 |
| Puesto-Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-804-4217 |
| Panca Peruvian | Oceanside CA | 760-722-3396 |
| Sabuku Sushi | San Diego CA | 619-281-9700 |
| Shimbashi Izakaya | Del Mar CA | 858-523-0479 |
| Love Boat Sushi-San Marcos | San Marcos CA | 760-471-7722 |
| Raki Raki & Co. | San Diego CA | 858-573-2400 |
| Four Seasons Residence Club | Carlsbad CA | 760-603-6360 |
| Sushi Kami | San Diego CA | 858-451-7799 |
| Farmers Bottega | San Diego CA | 619-306-8963 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Kabocha Squash. One
is
easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Kabocha Squash using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 18 days ago, 7/10/21 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 195 days ago, 1/14/21 Sharer's comments : Kabocha Squash from The Garden of 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Tamai family farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 235 days ago, 12/05/20 
Specialty Produce
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 About 321 days ago, 9/10/20 
Super Indo Cinere
Near Ciputat, Banten, IndonesiaAbout 379 days ago, 7/14/20 Sharer's comments : labu kabocha 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 399 days ago, 6/24/20 Sharer's comments : Hard Squash just in from Fresno Evergreen 
Market of Choice
Near Eugene, Oregon, United StatesAbout 509 days ago, 3/06/20 
Little Tokyo Marketplace
Little Tokyo Marketplace
Near Los Angeles, California, United States333 S Alameda Street #100 Los Angeles CA 90013 213-617-0030 http://www.littletokyomarket.com About 542 days ago, 2/02/20 
Tokyo Central
Tokyo Central - Imperial Hwy
Near Yorba Linda, California, United States18171 Imperial Hwy Yorba Linda CA 92886 714-386-5510 http://www.tokyocentralmarket.com About 550 days ago, 1/25/20 
Dong Mai Supermarket
Dong Mai Market
Near Signal Hill, California, United States1241 E Anaheim Street Long Beach CA 90813 562-591-1000 About 550 days ago, 1/25/20 
Zion Market
Zion Market - Zionmart
Near Irvine, California, United States5331 University Drive Irvine CA 92612 949-872-2233 https://www.zionmarket.com About 551 days ago, 1/24/20 
Ballard Farmers Market
Washington, United StatesAbout 598 days ago, 12/08/19 Sharer's comments : Buttery, sweet, and nutty - every meal is a win! 
Little Italy Mercato
Jacy Farm Sung Goo Cho
Near San Diego, California, United States951-837-0536 About 606 days ago, 11/30/19 Sharer's comments : Organic 
Vista Farmers Market
J.R. Organics
Near Vista, California, United States760-453-4144 About 676 days ago, 9/21/19 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Chao - Fresno Evergreen Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesFresno, CA 559-385-4959 About 693 days ago, 9/04/19 Sharer's comments : Kaboom! Kabocha is happening. 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Shu
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesLos Olivia, CA 1-805-245-1607 About 700 days ago, 8/28/19 Sharer's comments : Kabocha Squash is in from The Garden Of.... 
Buford Highway Farmers Market
Buford HWY Farmers Market
Near Doraville, Georgia, United States5600 Buford HWY NE Doraville GA 30340 770-455-0770 About 704 days ago, 8/24/19 Sharer's comments : Kabocha squash at Buford Farmers Market 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Specialty
Near Santa Monica, California, United States619-295-3172 About 721 days ago, 8/07/19 Sharer's comments : Hard Squashes making their way into the market 
Tokyo Fish Market
Near Albany, California, United StatesAbout 725 days ago, 8/03/19 
Island Pacific Supermarket
Island Pacific Supermarket - Vallejo, CA
Near Vallejo, California, United States2110 Springs Road #24 Vallejo CA 94591 707-552-6730 www.islandpacificmarket.com About 726 days ago, 8/02/19 
San Mateo Produce Market
Near San Mateo, California, United StatesAbout 727 days ago, 8/01/19 |
