20 Different Types of Squash and How to Use Them
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If you ask us what our favorite type of squash is, we'd say it all depends on the season. That's because there are different squash varieties available during different times of the year. There are your summer squashes (like zucchini) and winter squashes (like butternut squash). And while both are delicious, they each have their own unique qualities to them! So, let's learn a bit more about different types of squash and you’ll be better prepared for that trip to the farmers' market.
Typically thought of as a summer or fall vegetable, squash is actually a member of the gourd family which is classified as a fruit. Winter squashes include varieties like acorn squash, spaghetti squash, and (everyone’s fall-time favorite) pumpkin. While most have a thick, tough outer skin that allows them to survive throughout the colder months, some winter squashes have more delicate skin, like the delicata squash. Either way, winter squash is great for roasting to bring out their mostly sweet flavor. On the other hand, summer squash varieties include yellow squash and pattypan, which are softer and more mild. They’re great for grilling, sautéing, or even eating raw!
Cooking with squash is easy to do and there are endless possibilities for pasta recipes, Thanksgiving side dishes, soups, and more. (Don’t forget to check out our recipes for zucchini bread or pumpkin bread, depending on the season!) Read on for different types of winter and summer squash varieties, along with tips for cooking them.
Winter Squash: Honeynut Squash
This relatively new squash looks like a shrunken down version of butternut squash—and that's essentially what it is! The hybrid squash is sweeter in flavor and great for roasting. Add it to a fall salad or use it in a creamy risotto recipe.
Winter Squash: Carnival Squash
This type of squash is as pretty as they come! You can use the orange and green speckled squash for decorating your home, but they're also delicious when stuffed and baked.
Winter Squash: Buttercup Squash
Unlike butternut squash (more on those later), buttercup squash has a green exterior and orange flesh that gets super creamy and sweet when cooked.
Winter Squash: Banana Squash
Known for being one of the larger squashes on this list, banana squash has a long cylindrical shape (kind of like a giant banana) and a pink or light orange hue. You'll want to peel the skin before you cook it!
Winter Squash: Butternut Squash
This popular squash is shaped like a bulb with a thick, tan exterior skin that needs to be peeled. Breaking down this squash can be difficult, but you’ll find it pre-cut in most grocery stores. Always check the package to make sure the squash doesn’t look slimy; it should look a little dry on the outside. Butternut squash has a sweet, creamy flesh that lends itself well to mashing and roasting.
Winter Squash: Acorn Squash
As the name implies, acorn squash is shaped like an acorn nut. It has a dark green skin that becomes tender when roasted and it can be prepared as a savory or sweet side. We love serving this squash as individual halves: It’s such a nice presentation for a fall dinner, especially with a little stuffing inside!
Winter Squash: Delicata
This small, cylindrical squash is easy to prepare. Its distinct pale-yellow skin with green stripes is tender enough to eat, so you can just slice the squash into half-moons and roast it. Try tossing it with a pasta or serving it on a salad.
Winter Squash: Hubbard
This giant squash has a lumpy exterior that ranges in color from orange to green. It’s one of the biggest squash varieties and can weigh up to 15 pounds! Its sweet flesh is great when roasted.
Winter Squash: Kabocha
Kabocha squash, also known as a Japanese pumpkin, is a staple in Asian cuisines. It has a green skin and orange flesh that’s notably sweet. Try it sliced into wedges and roasted, or cooked and puréed into soups.
Winter Squash: Pumpkin
We often think of these popular gourds as just a Halloween decoration, good for carving. And while some types of pumpkins are only good for jack-o-lanterns, other types, notably sugar pumpkins (also called pie or sweet pumpkins) are delicious when they’re roasted and puréed for breads, muffins and pies.
Winter Squash: Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash has a hard, pale yellow rind, but when it’s roasted and halved, the flesh can be shredded into long spaghetti-like noodles–hence the name. It's become a trendy, low-carb alternative to angel hair pasta.
Winter Squash: Sweet Dumpling
Much smaller than other squash varieties (it’s about the size of an apple), the sweet dumpling squash has a multicolored rind that’s beautiful—and edible. Its size and shape makes it perfect for stuffing and roasting as a side dish.
Summer Squash: Zucchini
One of the most popular and versatile summer varieties, you’ll find this long green squash in most grocery stores year-round. It can be prepared raw, grilled, or spiralized into noodle-like strands. Plus, when shredded, it’s perfect for baked goods like zucchini muffins.
Summer Squash: Yellow Squash
Yellow in color with a fat bottom and thinner neck, this squash is a close relative to the zucchini. The yellow squash tends to have more seeds than a zucchini, but the flavors are similar and the two can often be used interchangeably.
Summer Squash: Mirliton
This pear-shaped squash, also known as Chayote, is native to Mexico, but has been grown in Louisiana since the 1800s. Its mild flavor is often compared to cucumbers, and it can be served raw or pickled.
Summer Squash: Round Zucchini
How cute are these small ball-shaped zucchinis? They can be prepared in all the same ways as regular zucchini, but they’re particularly tasty when hollowed out and stuffed.
Summer Squash: Zephyr Squash
The zephyr squash has a two-tone skin that’s pale green on the bottom and yellow on top. It’s super tender and can be eaten raw or lightly sautéed.
Summer Squash: Pattypan
This oddly shaped squash is small and round with a flat top and scalloped edge. They can be grilled whole or roasted for a lovely summer side.
Summer Squash: Tatume
This round squash is native to Mexico and grows on a vine. Its striped green skin resembles a small watermelon, but the flavor is similar to zucchini. It can easily be prepared in a variety of ways (grilled, roasted, or pan-fried).
Summer Squash: Tromboncino
Commonly found throughout Italy, this curved squash has a long neck and round bulb. It’s fast-growing and best harvested on a trellis, so it won’t take over your garden! These tend to have fewer seeds than other squash types, and a slightly sweeter taste.
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