Delicata Squash

Inventory, 20 lbs : 4.74
This item was last sold on : 05/31/23

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Description/Taste

Delicata squash is small to medium in size, averaging 12-15 centimeters in height and 5-7 centimeters in diameter and has a long, narrow, cylindrical shape with grooved skin and lines that run the length of the squash. The thin, smooth skin has a creamy yellow base with green or orange, vertical stripes. The flesh is firm, thick, fine-grained, and yellow to orange with a central, hollow cavity containing stringy pulp and many flat, hard, cream-colored seeds. Delicata squash, when cooked, is sweet, rich, and moist, much like a sweet potato.

Seasons/Availability

Delicata squash is available in the fall through early winter.

Current Facts

Delicata squash, botanically classified as Cucurbita pepo, is a winter heirloom variety and a member of the Cucurbitaceae family along with pumpkins and gourds. Also known as Bohemian squash, Peanut squash, and Sweet Potato squash, Delicata squash is celebrated by squash enthusiasts for its thin, delicate skin and sweet, rich flavor. Delicata squash is extremely versatile and is easily prepared as its thin skin can be consumed with the flesh after cooking and does not need to be removed.

Nutritional Value

Delicata squash contains vitamin A, vitamin C, some B vitamins, potassium, fiber, and beta-carotene.

Applications

Delicata squash is best suited for cooked applications such as baking, roasting, steaming, boiling, and sautéing. Favored in the kitchen for its thin skin, Delicata squash is easy to slice, and the skin is also edible when cooked and does not need to be peeled before consumption. Delicata squash holds its shape well through cooking, making it an excellent choice for stuffing with grains, meats, or cheese, and baking and serving as a side dish. Delicata squash can also be sliced into rings or cubes and used in an endless array of recipes such as tacos, soups, salads, gratins, sandwiches, risotto, pizza, and pasta. Delicata squash pairs well with apple, pear, fennel, kale, spinach, arugula, garlic, shallot, parsley, sage, lemon, maple syrup, butter, toasted pecans, hazelnuts, and walnuts, quinoa, eggs, white beans, dried cranberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, Italian sausage, ground beef, roasted poultry, feta, blue, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses. Delicata squash and will keep for several weeks at room temperature when stored in a cool and dark place.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

The Delicata squash was at one time popular but failed to sustain favor during the Great Depression due to its vulnerability to disease, short shelf life, and yield issues. Demand for the Delicata squash was revived in the late 1990's when Molly Jahn and George Moriarty of Cornell University developed a compact, higher yield, and disease resistant variety known as the Cornell bush delicata. The Cornell bush delicata squash was selected as a 2002 All American Selections Winner (AAS). The AAS award celebrates the year’s best new varieties of fruit and vegetable seeds that have exhibited superior growing performance in gardens of North America.

Geography/History

The Delicata squash was first introduced in 1894 by Peter Henderson Company of New York. The Delicata quickly became a preferred squash and maintained its popularity thru the 1920's until it fell out of favor around the time of the Great Depression. It was not until the 1990’s when new and improved varieties of Delicata, such as the Cornell bush were created that the Delicata again began to grow in popularity as a favored winter squash in the United States. Today the Delicata squash can be found at grocers and farmers markets in North America, Central America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Lodge at Torrey Pines Main	San Diego CA	858-453-4420
Orens Fine Foods	San Diego CA	510-910-2298
Huntress (Banquet)	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
Manchester Grand Hyatt Sallys	San Diego CA	619-232-1234
Pacifica Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-792-0505
US Grant Hotel Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-1582
Avant	San Diego CA	858-675-8505

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Delicata Squash. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Naturally Ella		Delicata Squash Tacos with Black Beans
Healing Family Eats		Delicata Squash "Anna"
Coconut + Lime		Delicata Squash Apple & Pearl Onion Saute
Scaling Back		Orange Spiced Cauliflower and Squash Bowl
Love & Lemons		Roasted Delicata Squash Tacos
Eggs On Sunday		Roasted Delicata Squash Stuffed with White Beans, Greens & Sage
Rhubarbarians		Quinoa Stuffed Delicata Squash Rings with Mushrooms, Cranberries, and Pecans
Magnolia Days		Delicata Squash Risotto
The Real Food Dietitians		Roasted Delicata Squash with Tomatoe
Our Salty Kitchen		Roasted Delicata Squash Salad with Creamy Maple Dressing

the other 36...

Civilized Caveman Cooking		Roasted Delicata Seeds
The Gracious Pantry		Clean Eating Baked Delicata Squash
A Beautiful Plate		Whole Wheat Pasta with Walnut-Sage Pesto and Roasted Delicata Squash
She Knows		Sweet Delicata Squash Pudding
Delish Knowledge		Pomegranate Roasted Delicata Squash
The Real Food Dietitians		Grain-free Pizza with Sausage and Roasted Squash
101 Cookbooks		Roasted Miso Harissa Delicata Squash Salad
Produce on Parade		Spiced Lentil Soup with Roasted Beets and Delicata Squash
With Food and Love		Fennel + Delicata Squash Soup
Amy Glaze's Pommes D'amour		Nopales & Delicata Squash Quiche
Dinner at the Zoo		Brown Sugar Delicata Squash
Kitchen Treaty		Smokey Delicata Squash & Black Bean Baked Quesadillas
The Wednesday Chef		Delicata Squash and Celery Root Puree
The Pretty Bee		Tasty Delicata Squash Taco Boats
Kitchen Konfidence		Pork and Squash Stew
The View from Great Island		How To Roast Squash Seeds - Five Ways!
Floating Kitchen		Delicata Squash Salad Bowls
Free The Picnic		ROASTED SQUASH & APPLES
Eating Well		Delicata Squash with Orange & Pistachios
Eats Well with Others		Roasted Delicata Squash and Goat Cheese Frittata
Primal Dish		Breakfast Delicata Squash
Fearless Dining		Paleo Delicata Squash Brownies
Beyond Mere Sustenance		Chipotle Honey Lime Glazed Roasted Delicata Squash
Helyn's Healthy Kitchen		Roasted Delicata Squash Soup
Baker by Nature		Sweet and Spicy Roasted Delicata Squash
The Toasted Pine Nut		Parmesan Crusted Delicata Squash Rings
Veggie's Don't Bite		The Ultimate Creamy Winter Squash Soup
Dash of Savory		Roasted Shrimp, Delicata Squash and Sun Dried Tomato Israeli Couscous
White on Rice Couple		Roasted Delicata Squash
Fooduzzi		Delicata Squash Crumble Slices
Produce on Parade		Pumpkin Tom Kha (Coconut Lemongrass Soup)
The Edible Perspective		Stuffed Delicata Squash with Quinoa Stuffing
Tarladalal		Crispy Delicata Rings with Currant, Fennel & Apple Relish
Green Healthy Cooking		Kale Quinoa Stuffed Delicata Squash
Half Baked Harvest		Balsamic Mushroom and Goat Cheese Pizza
The Pretty Bee		Roasted Delicata Squash with Fresh Cranberries

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