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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: saddad on October 01, 2009, 14:42:14

Title: My Squash
Post by: saddad on October 01, 2009, 14:42:14
Picked at the weekend..
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/Plot52/DSCN3059.jpg)
not the best sizes.. didn't water them in September and it was dry...
which can you identify?
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/Plot52/DSCN3058.jpg)
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: reddyreddy on October 01, 2009, 14:43:20
I only recognise one! Crown prince?
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: macmac on October 01, 2009, 14:44:23
Wow saddad  How do you cook all those ?What's your favourite recipe ?  :o
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: saddad on October 01, 2009, 14:50:32
Correct... Crown Prince top right...

we roast a lot but some end up in soup... pumpkin, lee and potato.. or spicy pumpkin. Some end up as pumpkin cakes on halloween/bonfire night with cinnamon sugar..

Haven't shown the Veg Spaghetti as I can't get them all in the pic!! and we boil them or do them in the microwave..  :)
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: 1066 on October 01, 2009, 15:05:17
Fantastic crop Saddad. we've also struggled for water in September and I haven't been able to do much so they've been left to their own devices (so to speak)
As to varieties - good game good game  ;)
I reckon there's a Marina Di Choggia, a couple of Ausie Blues and some Uchiki Kuri, as to the rest haven't a clue  ;D
What I would like to know is what are the ones that are dark green, at the back of the table!
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: cornykev on October 01, 2009, 16:48:31
Saddad, I think I recognise the old looking blue one at the back in the 2ND picture, it'll come to me in a minute.   ;)     ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: saddad on October 01, 2009, 17:07:44
Quotethe ones that are dark green, at the back of the table!
The very dark ones are (Chicago) Warted Hubbards and the big blocky ones are Queensland Blue...
Less of the cheek Kev!!  ;D
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: chriscross1966 on October 01, 2009, 17:32:31
Festival for the yeloow/green reticulated acorn?
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: saddad on October 01, 2009, 17:50:24
Winter Festival Chris ... yep  :)
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: cornykev on October 01, 2009, 17:52:53
Sorry Saddad but I'm in one of them moods.   :P     ;)     ;D ;D ;D     :-*
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Borlotti on October 01, 2009, 18:32:19
Well, it made me laugh so much I nearly wet my knickers.  That is the trouble about getting old.  Cornykev you should be on TV, I just love your sense of humour, funny, but not crude or too hurtful.  Hope you are going to vote for my lovely view from my back gate, thought it would be a joke, and it is true, poor me.  Wish I had a lake at the bottom of my garden.   :( :( :(, but at least the house prices are good in lovely sunny north London.  ;D ;D ;D and I have paid the mortgage. (checked the spelling, funny word, probably means one is dead when one pays it off (mort) means dead, I think.  Sorry going off topic. And my lovely friends have given me so much squash, I have squash soup coming out of my ears, or in the freezer.
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: tricia on October 01, 2009, 21:57:12
What? no butternuts David? Great haul though.

All I've managed this year are 1 Buttercup, 1 Guatamalen Blue, 1 Uchiki Kuri and 7 Hunter butternuts.

Tricia
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: saddad on October 01, 2009, 23:27:09
For some reason my one fabled butternut didn't make it onto the table... it was growing on a different plot...  ::)
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Ninnyscrops. on October 02, 2009, 00:04:50
That green one in the centre front really looked like it wanted to be a triamble ;)

Lovely show Saddad.

Ninny
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: saddad on October 02, 2009, 00:37:45
It is a triamble... albeit not very tri-ing..  :-X
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Jeannine on October 02, 2009, 03:38:00
Well done..lovely haul I am very jealous XX Jeannine
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Squashfan on October 02, 2009, 16:16:04
Just lovely, saddad! I am jealous too. I'll have to buy a pumpkin to make my pumpkin lasagna this year for Bonfire night!  :-[
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Deb P on October 02, 2009, 17:39:59
Pumpkin lasagna sounds nice........lovely haul, forgot to take a photo of my little lot again today... ::)

I had a few disappointing performers this year too, Baby Boo only made one fruit, and the usually reliable Jack Be Little only made a handful too. My best performing squash were the 'Cinderella' pumpkin 'Rouge Vif D'Etampes', and some 'Amish Pie' which made very useful medium sized fruits. Have to try some more varieties next year now I have a bit more room and intend to stick to early potatoes so the squash can follow on after them..... ;D
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: aussiedigger on October 02, 2009, 18:04:26
Wow!  Absolutely fantastic!!!  Well done Saddad.

Queensland Blue pumpkin ..... I can taste the scones, the fruit cake, the soup ......  I think it's time I headed home (back to Queensland!!)  ;D
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Sparkly on October 02, 2009, 18:39:45
Quote from: Squashfan on October 02, 2009, 16:16:04
Just lovely, saddad! I am jealous too. I'll have to buy a pumpkin to make my pumpkin lasagna this year for Bonfire night!  :-[


Oooo that sounds great. Could you post the recipe on the recipe forum?  ;D
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Tulipa on October 02, 2009, 18:43:58
Wow, what a lovely collection, I think it is magical harvesting them and taking them home, makes me feel all good inside and ready for the winter.

Am feeling quite chuffed too as I popped into our local Wyevale and found a packet of Marina Di Choggia for 50p (I think they look wonderful) and more Winter Festivals for 50p too.

T.
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Deb P on October 07, 2009, 15:36:34
Managed to grab a pic of mine under cover in the greenhouse today........they look a bit pathetic compared to everyone else's haul! These are the 'big' ones... :-\

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l47/dlp133/close%20up%20veg%20or%20fruit/October2009028.jpg)
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Ninnyscrops. on October 07, 2009, 20:32:38
Lovely spread too Deb P, is that a Queensland in the front?  They look and keep so well.

Ninny
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Eristic on October 07, 2009, 21:49:03
Can I ask you experts what you use to cut the squash up with in the kitchen? I must have spent half an hour last night trying to cut one in half without slicing my paws. Mind you it was the last one left from last year.
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: saddad on October 07, 2009, 22:02:08
We use a very sharp 10" blade sabatier...  and a mallet if necessary!  :)
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Ninnyscrops. on October 07, 2009, 22:14:29
Longest and heaviest serrated knife in the kitchen plus a very trusting husband holding it whilst I saw away ;D

Ninny
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Eristic on October 07, 2009, 22:57:46
Well I sought of tried the above methods and mu Sabatiers are not as sharp any more. I was wondering if it might be advisable to buy a butchers hacksaw?
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: saddad on October 07, 2009, 23:27:40
Don't you have a sharpening steel for the sabatier? Or nerves of steel as Ninny suggests!!
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Eristic on October 08, 2009, 00:00:04
QuoteDon't you have a sharpening steel for the sabatier? Or nerves of steel as Ninny suggests!!

I have both but that last one was one hell of a nut to crack. In fact the shell is still rock hard after being roasted. (And not burnt either, just hard.)
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: 1066 on October 08, 2009, 06:54:19
Eristic - I read a recipie by Madhur Jaffrey in which she uses a particular type of pumpkin and in order to open it up she recons dropping it from a 2nd floor window works a treat !!!
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Eristic on October 11, 2009, 00:54:13
QuoteEristic - I read a recipie by Madhur Jaffrey in which she uses a particular type of pumpkin and in order to open it up she recons dropping it from a 2nd floor window works a treat !!!

Ha ha! yep that might just do it. Where do I get a 2nd floor window from though?

Anyway, here's this years harvest of squash. Sadly Pearl the witch has now got an advanced case of woodworm in her broom.
(http://downtheplot.com/images/2009/Squash_harvest_09.jpg)

(http://downtheplot.com/images/2009/Squash_harvest_b_09.jpg)

I still have 1 pumpkin to come and possibly a few melocoton or casabanana.

Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: GrannieAnnie on October 11, 2009, 02:44:11
That's an exciting and interesting array, Saddad!
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: 1066 on October 11, 2009, 09:09:14
Eristic - I now have to ask the question why Pearl  ;D

Great haul BTW !
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Sparkly on October 11, 2009, 09:53:30
I have a 'bone cruncher' I bought from the chinese supermarket. Might try that on the squash this year.  ???
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: tonybloke on October 11, 2009, 15:03:25
ain't every kitchen got one of these?
[attachment=1]
;) ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: GrannieAnnie on October 11, 2009, 19:47:03
Wouldn't want ever to get you angry, Tonybloke :o
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: chriscross1966 on October 11, 2009, 20:24:20
Quote from: GrannieAnnie on October 11, 2009, 19:47:03
Wouldn't want ever to get you angry, Tonybloke :o

Hes just made me an offer I couldn't refuse regarding tomatos!  :o
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Eristic on October 11, 2009, 20:33:05
QuoteEristic - I now have to ask the question why Pearl

Why not? Have you got something against Pearl?  8)

Anyway, a number of my compadres started referring to the witch as Pearl so the name has stuck. If there happen to be any Pearls here as members it is pure coincidence and not a reference to any member of this forum.

Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Jeannine on October 13, 2009, 00:36:07
I use a kitchen cleaver , give it a good swing and it will go in a bit and then whack  the cleaver  with a hammer!! It is a bit like spliiting logs.

XX Jeannine
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Deb P on October 13, 2009, 12:16:58
Quote from: Ninnyscrops (downtoearth) on October 07, 2009, 20:32:38
Lovely spread too Deb P, is that a Queensland in the front?  They look and keep so well.

Ninny

No, it's Jarramore.....an American squash apparently, I got the seeds from an EBay supplier, but I've just had a look and they don't stock them anymore....it won't be worth saving the seeds from mine as I didn't isolate them! ::)
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: pookienoodle on October 13, 2009, 13:20:44
I use a scorpian power tool to chop up squash...its a lot safer than it sounds.
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: flowerlady on October 13, 2009, 14:00:10
I grew my first ever Pumpkin this year  :o ... have grown winter squash in the past ... anyway it  was a MARMELLATA [ http://www.seedsofitaly.com/product/683 ] 8)

... and I even get to make Jam !!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: manicscousers on October 13, 2009, 14:35:09
wow, flo..let us know how it tastes  ;D
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: grannyjanny on October 13, 2009, 14:46:46
I also have grown my first pumpkin but alas it was supposed to be a BNS plant. I sent a polite email explaining to the place I bought the plant from & they are giving me some squashes.
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Deb P on October 16, 2009, 22:33:11
Quote from: Deb P on October 13, 2009, 12:16:58
Quote from: Ninnyscrops (downtoearth) on October 07, 2009, 20:32:38
Lovely spread too Deb P, is that a Queensland in the front?  They look and keep so well.

Ninny

No, it's Jarramore.....an American squash apparently, I got the seeds from an EBay supplier, but I've just had a look and they don't stock them anymore....it won't be worth saving the seeds from mine as I didn't isolate them! ::)

I dunno what planet I was on, that squash is Jarradale form Australia.... ::)
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: Ninnyscrops. on October 17, 2009, 23:06:37
I admit I googled Jarramore  ;D, but they do look a little like Queensland, I think the skin is smoother on the Q's though.

Cefer sent me some Jarrahdale seed, they grew well, but  I prefer the squashes from the Queensland seed seed she sent. (This piccy is from last year's show)

(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t87/ninnyscrops/DSCF1286.jpg) - last year

Ninny
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: gwynnethmary on November 16, 2009, 20:44:39
you are obviously an expert on squash!  I'm very much a newbie when it comes to growing vegetables, and would like to ask some very basic questions.  How much space does it take to grow a butternut squash?  Does each plant yield one fruit?  Where's the best place for them in the rotation sequence? Will they grow in the cold North-east?

Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: chriscross1966 on November 18, 2009, 03:25:44
Butternuts need a long season, you might be better off with a shorter season squash like Festival  (A4A'ers probably getting bored of me banging on about this variety by now :D)...  Crop depends on  conditions and variety..... In good conditions you'll get 6 or more 1.5Kg butternuts per plant, in bad conditions the frosts get the plants before they ripen.....there's a thread with my harvest here http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,55313.0.html (http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,55313.0.html) with a picture.... Basically the small stripey ones at the back are Winter Festival and they were ready by the end of August really.... the butternuts at  that time had only just set fruit and without the good september they'd not have cropped this year.... I'd honestly not reccommend any Butternut squash to a first-time grower, wheras I've been passing out Festival seeds to lots of people secure in the knowledge that if they can get the started, hardened off and planted out OK by the start of June then three months later they should have 6-8 squash per plant... and they're a sensible size too.... roast one in chunks with the Sunday dinner, whats left over becomes soup on Tuesday.....

chrisc
Title: Re: My Squash
Post by: realfood on November 18, 2009, 19:21:42
Gwynnethmary, seeing that you are in the cold North East, I would agree with chriscross. You can also have a look at the Winter Squash and Butternut pages of my website for further suggestions for cultivation. Some cloche protection for the first month would be a help as well.