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Yellow eight ball squashes vary in size from small to large, averaging 5 to 12 centimeters in diameter, and have a spherical to oval shape, capped with a short, green stem. The bright yellow skin is smooth, glossy, and thin, sometimes dotted with brown markings. The flesh may also bear a dark green spot, known as a star, on the blossom, non-stem end of the squash. Underneath the surface, the flesh is white, crisp, and spongy, encasing many small and edible, ivory seeds. Yellow eight ball squashes have a tender consistency when fresh or cooked and have a sweet flavor with mild, nutty, and subtle vegetal notes.
Seasons/Availability
Yellow eight ball squashes are available year-round, with a peak season in the summer.
Current Facts
Yellow eight ball squashes, botanically classified as Cucurbita pepo, are a hybrid, summer squash belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. The round squash was named after the one ball in the game of pool, which is also yellow, and is a part of a larger line of ball squashes created by Hollar Seeds in the late 20th century. Yellow eight ball squashes are sometimes known as One Ball squashes and are a specialty variety primarily found at farmer’s markets. The cultivar was created to add diversity to summer squash varieties and is a novel squash often used in culinary dishes as an edible, serving vessel.
Nutritional Value
Yellow eight ball squashes are an excellent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that can help boost the immune system, increase collagen production within the skin, and reduce inflammation. The squashes are also a good source of fiber, which can regulate the digestive tract and provide lower amounts of potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin A, magnesium, folate, and phosphorus.
Applications
Yellow eight ball squashes are widely versatile, used as a substitute for gold bar squash, yellow crookneck, or even classic zucchini in many recipes. When young, the round squashes can be chopped and added to green salads, or they can be sliced and mixed with fresh vegetables and herbs as a crisp side dish. They can also be grilled whole, depending on their size, or roasted to develop richer flavor profiles. More mature Yellow eight ball squashes are ideal for hollowing, stuffing, and baking. Many cuisines worldwide use peppers for stuffing grains, meats, and vegetables, and Yellow eight ball squashes can be used as a substitute for peppers as an edible vessel. Yellow eight ball squashes can also be sliced thin and layered into tarts, casseroles, or ratatouille. Yellow eight ball squashes pair well with corn, tomato, fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, mint, and cilantro, eggplant, meats such a sausage, ground turkey, and ground beef, nuts such as almonds, pine, and walnuts, and cheeses such as parmesan, feta, and mozzarella. Whole Yellow eight ball squashes will keep up to one week when stored unwashed, in a plastic bag, in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Hayward, California, Yellow eight ball squashes are often featured in savory dishes sold during the Hayward Zucchini Festival. The annual event has been held for over thirty-seven years, and despite its zucchini name, the weekend is a celebration of the many different types of summer squash along with a celebration of the arts. During the festival, vendors utilize summer squash in a wide variety of applications from main dishes, barbecued preparations, to baked goods, and attendees can enjoy their squash-centric meals while listening to live music. There is also a contest to exhibit the strangest shaped squashes that were grown naturally in home gardens among the Hayward community.
Geography/History
Yellow eight ball squashes are a hybrid variety developed by Hollar Seeds of Rocky Ford, Colorado. In the mid-20th century, Larry Hollar, President of Hollar Seeds, spent four years collecting seeds of round squashes from around the world, and using these seeds, he conducted purposeful, potential crosses until the eight ball squash was created. The dark-green variety was released to commercial markets in 1999, and with its widespread success, Hollar Seeds expanded its ball squash line to include the Yellow eight ball, also known as the One ball squash. Today, Yellow eight ball squashes are available through specialty grocers and farmer’s markets across the United States and in select regions of Europe. The cultivar is also a favored home garden variety grown around the world.
Halal Pastures Farm
Another name: Summer Avocado Squash…..Yellow eight ball squash is a small to large, spherical squash averaging 5 to 12 centimeters in diameter, featuring bright yellow, smooth, glossy skin. Sometimes the squash showcases a unique green spot, called a "star," near the blossom end. Its white, crisp flesh contains small, edible seeds, and it offers a sweet, nutty flavor with mild vegetal notes. The tender texture makes it versatile for both fresh and cooked dishes.
SPECIALTY PRODUCE
1929 Hancock St San Diego 92110
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(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Available at SPECIALTY PRODUCE…..Yellow eight ball squashes are highly versatile and can be used in place of gold bar squash, yellow crookneck, or zucchini. Their uses span culinary styles, from raw salads to baked, stuffed creations. Popular pairings include tomatoes, corn, fresh herbs like basil or mint, meats such as sausage or ground turkey, nuts like almonds and walnuts, and cheeses such as parmesan or mozzarella, complementing their mild flavor.
Fresno Evergreen Farms
+15593854959
Yellow Eight Ball Squash was named after the yellow ball in pool and developed by Hollar Seeds in the late 20th century as part of a line of ball squashes. Known as One Ball squashes, they are often specialty items found at farmer’s markets. These squashes were specifically cultivated to diversify summer squash types, and their spherical shape makes them perfect for use as edible serving vessels in various culinary dishes.
Andreas of Chelsea Green
6-8 Cale St, London SW3 3QU, United Kingdom
Yellow Eight Ball squashes were developed by Hollar Seeds in Rocky Ford, Colorado, as part of an effort to create diverse and novel summer squash varieties. Larry Hollar, the company's president, spent four years collecting round squash seeds globally to create the eight ball squash line. Their dark-green counterpart was released in 1999, inspiring the Yellow Eight Ball's creation. These squashes are popular at farmer’s markets, specialty grocers, and home gardens.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Yellow eight ball squashes play a unique role in Hayward, California, during the annual Zucchini Festival, which has taken place for over thirty-seven years. This event celebrates all summer squash varieties, including yellow eight ball squash, featuring them in savory dishes, baked goods, barbecue preparations, and more, while attendees enjoy live music and a quirky contest for unusually shaped homegrown squashes.
Turnips, Borough Market
London SE1 9AH
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Yellow eight ball squashes also possess mild, nutty, and subtle vegetal notes, enhancing their sweet flavor profile. These versatile squashes maintain a tender texture whether cooked or eaten fresh, making them ideal for a variety of culinary applications. Their edible ivory seeds contribute to the squash's unique characteristics, offering a delightful crunch when consumed together with the white, spongy flesh.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Yellow Eightball Squash from Weiser Family Farms…..Yellow Eightball Squash is a versatile ingredient suitable for various dishes. It can be used raw in salads or sliced with herbs for a crisp side. Grilling or roasting enriches its flavor, and its mature form is perfect for stuffing. Pair it with ingredients like corn, tomatoes, fresh herbs, meats, nuts, and cheeses. Store whole squashes in the refrigerator, unwashed, in a plastic bag for up to a week.
Weiser Family Farms
Yellow Eightball Squash from Weiser Family Farms…..Yellow Eightball Squash is a hybrid summer squash known for its round shape and bright yellow color, resembling the one ball in pool. Developed by Hollar Seeds in the late 20th century, it's a specialty variety often found in farmers' markets. With a mild flavor, these squashes are versatile in recipes, serving as edible vessels for stuffing, making them a favorite pick for creative culinary presentations.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Yellow Eightball Squash from Weiser Family Farms…..Yellow Eightball Squash is a hybrid variety developed by Hollar Seeds in Rocky Ford, Colorado. Created through years of seed collection and precise crossbreeding by Larry Hollar, the cultivar expanded from the original green Eight Ball squash released in 1999. Known also as One Ball squash, it is a specialty item in markets across the U.S., select parts of Europe, and a favorite in home gardens worldwide.
Weiser Family Farms
Yellow Eightball Squash from Weiser Family Farms…..Yellow Eightball Squash: These squashes are highlighted at the Hayward Zucchini Festival in California, an annual event for over 37 years. Although the event's name references zucchini, it celebrates diverse summer squashes. Vendors showcase creative preparations, from barbecue to baked goods, while live music adds to the vibrant atmosphere. A quirky highlight is a contest for naturally grown, unusually shaped squashes from local gardens.
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