Yellow Squash

Name: Yellow squash (Cucurbita pepo) — a summer squash with bright yellow skin, tender, pale flesh and a mild, buttery flavour, sold in straight-neck and crookneck forms.

Description

Yellow squash is a summer squash, which means it is harvested immature, when the skin is thin and edible and the seeds are soft. Squashes were domesticated in the Americas, and Native Americans grew them alongside corn and beans, in the “Three Sisters” growing system. Crookneck and straightneck squashes are both traditional American varieties.

The flesh is soft, mild and slightly sweet, and holds more water than winter squashes. It is used like zucchini in stir-fries, casseroles, sautés and fritters, and the blossoms are edible too.

Main nutrition value

Yellow squash is low in calories, and provides vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese and fibre, with a high water content.

How best to be consumed

Yellow squash is cooked quickly, and eaten with the skin.

1. Slice into rounds or half-moons, and sauté or grill with olive oil, garlic and herbs.
2. Bake into casseroles, with cheese and breadcrumbs, a Southern classic, or into gratins and ratatouille.
3. Slice thinly or spiralise raw into salads and noodles.
4. Fry in light batter, or add to stir-fries, soups and stews.
5. Choose small, firm squash with glossy skin, and store in the fridge.

Overconsumption could cause…

Yellow squash is safe and healthy in food amounts.

1. Toxic squash syndrome from cucurbitacins, natural compounds that make a squash or gourd intensely bitter, and which can cause severe stomach upset, hair loss and even death in rare cases, so always taste a little raw and discard the whole fruit if it is very bitter.
2. Soggy texture if overcooked or not drained.
3. Added cheese, butter and cream in casseroles.
4. Allergic reactions in rare cases.

GroupsSquash and GourdsGourd family (Cucurbitaceae)Low fatLow sodiumFresh

Related foodsChayotePumpkinBitter Gourd / Bitter MelonZucchini / CourgetteCucumberEnglish Cucumber

Wikipedia — Summer squash, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_squash