Spaghetti Squash

GoDawgs · June 30, 2019

I love winter squash, butternut being my favorite. But dang it, it's hard to get them to grow here. There are very few C. mochata or maxima that will grow for me. Last year I tried butterbush (because butternut has never worked) and got about three small ones on each of the two plants. Same with the Sweet Mama, a maxima kabocha type. Too much space taken up by plants that don't produce much. Still, hope springs eternal and I planted the same again this year because everything needs a second chance. Still waiting on results with those.

But the one shining star I found a couple of years ago is Small Wonder, a small sized F1 spaghetti squash. That sucker is prolific! Right now I've already picked five and count twenty eight more still on the vines from just two plants! Here's a small section of the patch. They're everywhere! I usually plant just one plant and get plenty. What was I thinking?

They range from 2-3 lbs each down to softball sized (the last ones set) and are perfect for two people with a meal. This one is 2 lb 9 oz:

Now... how to store all of those in the South without a root cellar. Well, my light shelves aren't being used right now...

I have read somewhere (gotta dig into my notes) that if you lightly massage vegetable oil into the rinds that it will extend the storage life. Have any of you ever heard of that?

GoDawgs · July 1, 2019

I found my link. It's called oil buffing and it is said that the squash will store at room temp about 3 months. You wash the squash real well, let dry thoroughly and then lightly rub them all over with a very small amount of vegetable oil. Then buff excess off until they're barely shiny with no greasy feel.

https://www.thespruceeats.com/preser...uashes-1327938

brownrexx · July 1, 2019

I like spaghetti squash too but the squash vine borer gets then first so I quit trying.

However I do store butternut squash and I have also stored spaghetti squash. The butternuts need to cure and harden their skins for a couple of weeks before storing and then I drop them in a 5 gallon bucket with a bleach solution before storage. This kills any spores or pathogens around where the stem attaches.

Be sure to leave a small section of stem attached. this also lessens the possibility of rotting at the stem end.

June 30, 2019	#1
GoDawgs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Augusta area, Georgia, 8a/7b Posts: 1,685	Spaghetti Squash I love winter squash, butternut being my favorite. But dang it, it's hard to get them to grow here. There are very few C. mochata or maxima that will grow for me. Last year I tried butterbush (because butternut has never worked) and got about three small ones on each of the two plants. Same with the Sweet Mama, a maxima kabocha type. Too much space taken up by plants that don't produce much. Still, hope springs eternal and I planted the same again this year because everything needs a second chance. Still waiting on results with those. But the one shining star I found a couple of years ago is Small Wonder, a small sized F1 spaghetti squash. That sucker is prolific! Right now I've already picked five and count twenty eight more still on the vines from just two plants! Here's a small section of the patch. They're everywhere! I usually plant just one plant and get plenty. What was I thinking? They range from 2-3 lbs each down to softball sized (the last ones set) and are perfect for two people with a meal. This one is 2 lb 9 oz: Now... how to store all of those in the South without a root cellar. Well, my light shelves aren't being used right now... I have read somewhere (gotta dig into my notes) that if you lightly massage vegetable oil into the rinds that it will extend the storage life. Have any of you ever heard of that?

July 1, 2019	#2
GoDawgs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Augusta area, Georgia, 8a/7b Posts: 1,685	I found my link. It's called oil buffing and it is said that the squash will store at room temp about 3 months. You wash the squash real well, let dry thoroughly and then lightly rub them all over with a very small amount of vegetable oil. Then buff excess off until they're barely shiny with no greasy feel. https://www.thespruceeats.com/preser...uashes-1327938

July 1, 2019	#3
brownrexx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 1,420	I like spaghetti squash too but the squash vine borer gets then first so I quit trying. However I do store butternut squash and I have also stored spaghetti squash. The butternuts need to cure and harden their skins for a couple of weeks before storing and then I drop them in a 5 gallon bucket with a bleach solution before storage. This kills any spores or pathogens around where the stem attaches. Be sure to leave a small section of stem attached. this also lessens the possibility of rotting at the stem end.