Removing excess foliage from Squash plants

[dingerbell]

I have 4 very healthy B.nut squash plants that are producing masses of foliage and fruits. My question is....can I remove some of the foliage to allow more sunlight to reach the little butternuts to assist in ripening?
BTW, this is despite not watering at all this Summer. The huge pit full of compost and muck that I dug before planting them must be holding loads of moisture.. ;D

[dingerbell]

[supersprout]

I hack off leaves and stems merrily dinger if they are in the way/untrainable in any other direction/looking poorly. So far, no problem. You want the fruit in the shade in the early stages whilst they grow (avoids cracking) and in the sun later on when they are FAT :)

[saddad]

Some growers who want larger fruit, notably giant pumpkins cover them with a bit of carpet to keep them in the shade! I find it just encourages slugs but the logic is sound.
;D