A Comprehensive Guide to 11 of the Best Winter Squash Varieties

When it comes to gardening, planning ahead is key. While zucchini embodies the essence of summer with its plentiful harvests, winter squash is a crop that rewards those with a forward-thinking mindset. As you embark on your winter squash growing journey, it’s crucial to choose varieties that fit your garden space, growing season, and culinary preferences. The delayed gratification associated with winter squash is undoubtedly worth the wait, bringing bountiful rewards to the patient gardener.

Winter squash holds a special place in many gardeners’ hearts, offering both a feast for the eyes in the garden and a delightful treat on the dinner table. With a wide array of varieties to choose from, each promising a unique flavor and texture experience, selecting the right winter squash cultivar is an exciting part of the gardening process.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 11 of the best winter squash varieties available, ranging from personal-sized hybrids to ancient heirlooms. From their days to maturity to their culinary uses, we’ll delve into the nuances of each variety to help you make an informed decision for your garden.

11 Favorite Winter Squash Varieties

Table of Contents

Angel Hair
Blue Hubbard
Burgess Buttercup
Cushaw Green Striped
Futsu Black
Honey Boat
Honeynut
Lakota
Red Kuri
Sweet REBA
Uncle David’s Dakota Dessert

1. Angel Hair

A highly productive hybrid variety of spaghetti squash
Personal-sized fruits with a delicate, “spaghetti” texture
Quick maturity in 88 days
Perfect for trellising

2. Blue Hubbard

Ample winter squash perfect for long-term storage
Teardrop shaped with blue-gray skin
Sweet, velvety flesh ideal for pies and soups
Excellent storability for up to six months

3. Burgess Buttercup

Dark green rind with sweet, nutty flavor
Flattened top with three to five-pound fruits
A compact bush form ideal for small gardens
Medium-long keeper with a harvest period of 85 to 100 days

4. Cushaw Green Striped

Heirloom variety with historical significance
Known for heat tolerance and pest resistance
Sweet, moist flesh suitable for traditional recipes
Large, crookneck squash with a harvest time of 95 days

5. Futsu Black

Productive Japanese cultivar with deeply ribbed fruits
Ornamental appearance transitioning from black to chestnut
Creamy texture with fruity flavor ideal for roasting and purees
Harvest in 105 days with three to five-pound fruits

6. Honey Boat

Developed by Oregon State University for sweet, nutty flavor
Oblong fruits with yellow-orange flesh and green stripes
Excellent trellising variety with large seed cavity
Quick maturity in 90 to 100 days

7. Honeynut

Cornell University creation known for superior taste
Compact vines with creamy texture and sweet flavor
Rich terra cotta color when ripe
Five fruits per plant ready in 110 days

8. Lakota

Native American cultivar with bright reddish-orange skin
Sweet and nutty flavor suitable for baking
Long vines reaching 10 to 20 feet in length
Harvest in 85 to 100 days with good storage capability

9. Red Kuri

Colorful Japanese variety with bright reddish-orange skin
Ideal for side dishes and pies with sweet flavor
Good resistance to cucumber beetles
Harvest in 92 to 95 days with fruits weighing three to eight pounds

10. Sweet REBA

Acorn type squash with disease resistance and early maturity
Deep ribs with dark green skin and flavorful flesh
Highly resistant to powdery mildew
Harvest in 90 days with fruits weighing two to two and a half pounds

11. Uncle David’s Dakota Dessert

Buttercup type squash bred for cold tolerance
Rich, sweet flesh suitable for dessert recipes
Mottled dark green skin with pear-shaped fruits
Harvest in 95 to 105 days with good long-term storage capability

With these 11 diverse winter squash varieties at your disposal, you’re all set to create a vibrant and flavorful garden space that will cater to your autumn and winter culinary adventures. Whether you prefer nutty, dry flesh or succulent, moist textures, there’s a winter squash variety to suit your taste preferences and gardening needs.

Do you have a favorite winter squash variety that you can’t resist planting each season? Share your top picks and culinary tips with our community in the comments section below. And if you’re eager to deepen your knowledge of squash and pumpkin varieties, check out our related guides to expand your squash-growing repertoire:

How to Plant and Grow Calabaza Squash
11 of the Best Pumpkin Varieties for Cooking
11 of the Best Pumpkins to Grow for Pies, Puree, and Other Treats

So, as you embark on your winter squash growing journey, remember to savor the experience, enjoy the abundance of the harvest, and celebrate the delightful flavors that these versatile vegetables bring to your table. Happy gardening!