Choice and storage

Kabocha squash, being a winter or onerous squash sort, is grown within the heat season and might be saved for 3-4 months (by means of the winter).

Kabocha squash is offered from October to January within the farmer’s markets. Select average-sized fruits that includes dry and intact stems. Keep away from these with blemished/mushy/rotted stems, broken, cuts/punctured, and many others.

At dwelling, Kabocha retains for two to 4 months or extra if saved in a cool, dry, and darkish place.

Lower sections, nonetheless, needs to be used within the cooking early. In case you select to maintain it for prolonged use (as much as 1-2 days solely), then place it inside a plastic wrap within the fridge set at excessive relative humidity.

Preparation and serving strategies

Kabocha squash is a well-liked winter vegetable within the U.S., Japan, and Canada. It may be utilized in any recipe calling for butternut squash or pumpkin.

Kabocha are recognized for his or her dry-textured flesh, which holds their form in entire baked, stuffed, stews and curries. It’s best suited to baking, roasting, steaming, stuffing, boiling, and sautéing.

Its rind is hard, and though edible, some cooks choose to peel it earlier than consumption.

It will also be sliced into rings or cubes and utilized in an infinite array of recipes equivalent to soups, salads, stews, gratins, sandwiches, and risotto.

Suffed Kabocha. Stuffing consists of bread, bacon, sausage, onion, celery, and herbs. Courtesy: Tim Evanson.

Listed below are some serving suggestions:

• Kabocha is a well-liked vegetable in Japan, utilized in soups, sushi, and tempura dishes.

• Uncooked kabocha is used grated right into a winter salad, which provides a candy crunch and burst of orange shade.

• Lower Kabocha in halves, scoop off seeds, and stuff with bread, grains, bacon, meat, cheese, mushrooms, and leafy greens and herbs, and bake within the oven.

• Get pleasure from kabocha squash gratin with complementing greens, or sausage.

• Mashed/pureed Kabocha is a wholesome various to mashed potato.

• Baked and pureed or mashed kabocha flesh can be utilized as a filling for empanadas, enchiladas, and ravioli, or utilized in desserts, pies, puddings, and bread.

• Kabocha squash makes a scrumptious creamy soup.

• Kabocha squash kernels might be eaten as a snack. Merely toast the seeds within the oven and revel in!

Security profile

Allergic reactions to kabocha squash are uncommon. Pregnant girls and infants can safely get pleasure from it. (Medical disclaimer).

You may additionally wish to learn ≻≻-

≻≻- Spaghetti squash diet information.

≻≻- Acorn squash diet information.

≻≻- Delicata squash diet information.

≻≻-Pattypan squash diet information.

≻≻-Again to Greens from Kabocha Squash diet. Go to right here for a formidable record of greens with full illustrations of their diet information and
well being advantages.

≻≻-Again to Residence web page.

Additional studying:

1. USDA Nationwide Nutrient Database.

2. Kabocha and Buttercup Squash for Western Oregon Gardens- Oregon State College Extension Service.

3. Watch your backyard grow- College of Illinois Extension (PDF).