Description
Delicata squash are small to medium sized measuring on average five to six inches in length and two to three inches in diameter. Their shape is long, narrow and has a grooved skin with lines that run the length of the squash. Its skin has a creamy yellow base color with green, sometimes orange, vertical stripes. The Delicata has firm, fine-grained, yellow to orange flesh and a central seed cavity. Its flavor, when cooked, is sweet, rich, and moist, much like a sweet potato. Thinned skinned the Delicata squash does not need to be peeled before using as both the cooked skin and flesh are safe for consumption.
Delicata squash is available in the fall and early winter months.
Delicata squash, botanically classified as part of Cucurbita pepo, is an heirloom variety also known as Bohemian squash and Sweet Potato squash. Appropriately named the Delicata is known for its delicate skin which though makes it a shorter keeper than other winter squash types is a characteristic celebrated by squash enthusiasts as it makes the squash much easier to prepare. The Delicata squash was at one time popular but failed to sustain that popularity 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, disease resistant variety, the Cornell bush Delicata.
Delicata squash provides vitamin A and vitamin C, some of the B vitamins, potassium, and fiber. Deep yellow and orange colored squashes offer the most beta carotene.
Delicata squash is favored in the kitchen as its thin skin is not only an ease to slice but is also edible when cooked so need not be peeled prior to consumption. Delicata squash hold their shape well through cooking, making them an excellent choice for stuffing with grains, meats or cheese, and baking. Delicata squash can be sliced into rings or cubes and braised, stewed, sautéed or roasted. Cooked squash can be used in an endless array of recipes such as tacos, soups, salads, gratins, sandwiches, risotto, pizza, and pasta. Their flavor 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 and feta, blue, parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Delicata squash are a winter variety and will keep well at room temperature for several weeks.
