The humble squash, in its myriad shapes, sizes, and colors, is a culinary chameleon, lending itself to sweet and savory dishes alike. But can you truly walk into your local grocery store and find your favorite squash variety at any time of year? The answer is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no. While some squash varieties boast a relatively extended availability, understanding seasonal patterns and storage techniques is key to satisfying your squash cravings year-round.
Understanding the Two Main Types of Squash
Squash, broadly speaking, falls into two categories: summer squash and winter squash. These classifications aren’t based on when they’re harvested necessarily, but rather on their characteristics and shelf life.
Summer Squash: Tender and Transient
Summer squash is characterized by its thin, edible skin and relatively short storage life. Think zucchini, yellow squash (straightneck and crookneck), and pattypan squash. These varieties are typically harvested when immature, before the skin hardens.
Winter Squash: Durable and Delicious
Winter squash, on the other hand, has a thick, hard rind that protects it and allows for long-term storage. This category includes butternut squash, acorn squash, spaghetti squash, pumpkin (yes, pumpkins are squash!), Hubbard squash, and delicata squash, among others. The mature rind is what allows it to be kept through the winter months, hence the name.
Seasonal Availability: A Matter of Timing
The availability of squash is heavily influenced by the growing season. While modern agricultural practices and global trade have extended the season for many produce items, understanding the natural growing cycles helps manage expectations and appreciate the peak flavor of different varieties.
Summer Squash Season: The Warm Months
Summer squash thrives in warm weather. Consequently, its peak season is during the summer months, typically from June to August. You’ll find an abundance of zucchini and yellow squash at farmers’ markets and grocery stores during this time, often at very reasonable prices.
Winter Squash Season: Fall and Winter’s Bounty
As the name suggests, winter squash shines during the fall and winter. The harvest typically begins in late summer or early fall and continues through the winter months. These squashes are best after they’ve had a chance to cure, which allows their starches to convert to sugars, enhancing their sweetness. Butternut squash and acorn squash become staples from October through December, offering warmth and flavor during the colder months.
Year-Round Availability: The Role of Storage and Imports
While peak season defines the time when squash is most plentiful and flavorful, you can often find some varieties available year-round, though their quality may vary. This is due to a combination of factors, including:
- Storage Techniques: Winter squash, in particular, is well-suited for long-term storage when kept in a cool, dry place. Farmers and distributors often store winter squash in controlled environments to extend its shelf life, making it available for a longer period.
- Imports: Globalization allows us to access produce from different regions of the world. If a particular squash variety is out of season in one region, it may be in season in another and can be imported to meet consumer demand. This significantly impacts the availability of some varieties, making them accessible throughout the year.
- Greenhouses: Controlled environment agriculture, using greenhouses, can extend the growing season for some squash varieties, particularly summer squash.
Where to Buy Squash: Options for Every Season
Where you buy your squash can also influence its availability and quality.
Farmers’ Markets: The Freshest Choice
Farmers’ markets are the best place to find locally grown, seasonal squash. You’ll be able to purchase the freshest, highest-quality produce directly from the farmers who grew it. Farmers’ markets are a great place to find unique or heirloom varieties not available in traditional stores.
Grocery Stores: Convenience and Variety
Grocery stores offer the most convenient option for purchasing squash. They typically carry a range of varieties, including both summer and winter squash, and are open year-round. However, the quality and variety may vary depending on the season and the store’s sourcing practices.
Specialty Produce Stores: Unique and Heirloom Varieties
Specialty produce stores often carry a wider selection of squash varieties than traditional grocery stores. They may specialize in organic or locally grown produce and offer unique or heirloom varieties that are not widely available.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Local and Seasonal
Joining a CSA program is a great way to support local farmers and receive a regular supply of fresh, seasonal produce. You’ll typically receive a variety of squash throughout the growing season, depending on what is being harvested.
Tips for Selecting the Best Squash
Regardless of where you buy your squash, it’s important to know how to select the best quality specimens.
Summer Squash Selection: Look for Firmness
When selecting summer squash, look for squash that is firm, smooth, and heavy for its size. Avoid squash with soft spots, bruises, or blemishes. The skin should be bright and evenly colored.
Winter Squash Selection: Sound and Substance
For winter squash, choose squash that is heavy for its size and has a hard, smooth rind. Avoid squash with soft spots, cracks, or blemishes. The stem should be firmly attached. Tapping the squash should produce a hollow sound, indicating that it is ripe. A fully ripe winter squash, like butternut or acorn, will also have a deep, rich color.
Storing Squash to Extend Its Life
Proper storage can significantly extend the shelf life of squash.
Summer Squash Storage: Cool and Brief
Summer squash is best stored in the refrigerator. Wrap it loosely in a plastic bag and store it in the crisper drawer. It will typically last for about a week.
Winter Squash Storage: Cool, Dry, and Dark
Winter squash should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. A basement or pantry is ideal. Avoid storing it near apples or bananas, as these fruits release ethylene gas, which can cause the squash to ripen and spoil more quickly. Under the right conditions, winter squash can last for several months.
Specific Squash Varieties and Their Availability
Here’s a more detailed look at the availability of some popular squash varieties:
- Zucchini: Primarily available from late spring through summer. May be available year-round in some areas due to imports and greenhouse production.
- Yellow Squash: Similar availability to zucchini, peaking in the summer months.
- Butternut Squash: Peak season is fall and winter, but often available year-round due to storage and imports.
- Acorn Squash: Available primarily in the fall and winter.
- Spaghetti Squash: Available in the fall and winter, often stored for extended availability.
- Delicata Squash: Primarily a fall squash, with a shorter storage life than other winter squashes.
- Pumpkin: Peak season is fall, specifically around Halloween and Thanksgiving.
- Hubbard Squash: A large winter squash with excellent storage capabilities, available primarily in fall and winter.
Squash Beyond the Fruit: Edible Flowers and Seeds
Don’t forget that the squash plant offers more than just the fruit!
- Squash Blossoms: The flowers of squash plants are edible and can be used in a variety of dishes. They are typically available in the summer.
- Squash Seeds: The seeds of winter squash can be roasted and eaten as a snack. Pumpkin seeds are the most well-known example, but the seeds of other winter squashes are also delicious.
In conclusion, while summer squash is most readily available during the warmer months, and winter squash reigns supreme in the fall and winter, the ability to buy squash year-round is increasingly possible due to advanced storage techniques, global trade, and controlled growing environments. By understanding the seasonal patterns, knowing where to shop, and learning how to select and store squash properly, you can enjoy this versatile vegetable throughout the year.
Can you really buy squash year-round?
Yes, generally you can find some types of squash available in grocery stores throughout the year. This is due to a combination of factors including global sourcing, advancements in storage techniques, and the fact that some varieties, particularly winter squash, are well-suited for long-term preservation. However, the variety and quality will differ greatly depending on the season.
While you might find butternut squash in July, it won’t likely be as fresh or flavorful as one harvested in the fall. Similarly, certain summer squash varieties may be available in winter, but they might be imported from warmer climates and lack the peak-season taste you’d expect. So, while accessibility is high, quality and flavor are not always consistent.
What’s the difference between summer and winter squash when it comes to availability?
Summer squash, like zucchini and yellow squash, has a shorter shelf life and is best enjoyed when it’s in season, typically during the summer months. These varieties are harvested before they fully mature, when their skin is still thin and edible. This also contributes to their limited availability outside of their peak season.
Winter squash, such as butternut, acorn, and spaghetti squash, has a thicker, harder rind which allows it to be stored for extended periods. This durability enables winter squash to be available for purchase well into the winter and sometimes even into the spring months. Proper storage techniques further extend their lifespan.
Which squash varieties are easiest to find out of season?
Butternut squash is often the most readily available winter squash year-round due to its popularity, good storage capabilities, and widespread cultivation. Its relatively long shelf life and consistent demand make it a reliable option for retailers to stock even when other winter squash varieties are less abundant.
Acorn squash is another winter squash that you may find with some regularity outside of its peak fall season, though it is less common than butternut. Zucchini, as a summer squash, is frequently available, even in the winter, thanks to imports from warmer climates. These imports are usually from Mexico or South America during the North American winter.
How does seasonal availability affect the price of squash?
When squash is in season and plentiful, the price is generally lower due to increased supply and reduced transportation costs. Local farms often harvest large quantities during peak season, leading to competitive pricing in grocery stores and farmers’ markets. You will find the lowest prices at farmers markets, and produce stands that sell locally grown produce.
Conversely, when squash is out of season, the price tends to be higher. This is because the squash might be imported from distant locations, requiring additional shipping expenses, or it might have been stored for a prolonged period, incurring storage costs. Limited supply always equates to higher prices, whether for produce or any other commodity.
What are the benefits of buying squash in season?
The main benefit of buying squash in season is the superior flavor and texture. When squash is harvested at its peak ripeness and sold shortly after, it has a sweeter, more intense flavor and a more desirable texture compared to squash that has been stored for months. Also, buying seasonally supports local farmers and reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation.
Another advantage is the higher nutritional content of in-season squash. During peak ripeness, the squash has had ample time to develop its vitamins and minerals. Additionally, in-season produce is often fresher, reducing the risk of spoilage and maximizing its nutritional value. Fresh produce is also less likely to have been treated with preservatives to extend its shelf life.
Where can I find the freshest squash year-round?
During peak season (fall for winter squash, summer for summer squash), farmers’ markets are generally the best place to find the freshest squash. You can often speak directly to the farmers, learn about their growing practices, and select squash that was recently harvested. Smaller, local farms are generally the best.
Outside of peak season, look for grocery stores that prioritize sourcing produce from reputable suppliers with quick turnover. Check the squash for signs of freshness, such as firm skin, lack of blemishes, and a good weight for its size. Supermarkets with large produce sections generally have better turnover and quality.
How can I store squash properly to extend its shelf life?
Summer squash, like zucchini and yellow squash, should be stored in the refrigerator crisper drawer. They are best kept dry, so avoid washing them until just before use. This will help prevent them from becoming mushy or developing mold. They typically last for about a week under these conditions.
Winter squash, such as butternut and acorn squash, should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a pantry or basement. Aim for a temperature between 50-60°F (10-15°C). Avoid storing them near apples or bananas, as these fruits release ethylene gas, which can hasten ripening and spoilage. Properly stored winter squash can last for several months.