What do these have in common: acorn, Australian blue, banana, buttercup, butternut, calabaza, carnival, chayote, delicaza, gold nugget, hubbard, kabocha, orangetti, red kuri, spaghetti, stripetti, sweet dumpling and turban?

They’re all winter squash—but you probably guessed that from the headline. Do you know how delicious they all are, though?

We got a huge shipment from Melissa’s Produce, purveyors of exotic fruits and vegetables, just so we could taste through them all. Call it two weeks of squash bliss.

They’re all wonderful, but if we had to pick our personal winner, it’s carnival squash (photo #1), so good that we ate the rind. Sweet Dumpling Squash (photo #2) took second place.

So check your farmers markets or order online from Melissa’s. You won’t be disappointed!
 
 
SQUASH NUTRITION

Squash is good for you, with tons of vitamin A (one serving has four times the RDA—and 52% of vitamin C) and a good source of vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium and manganese.

The calories: just 80 to 100 per cup, depending on variety.

Read more about these gorgeous vegetables in the Squash Glossary—one of 100 fascinating food glossaries on THE NIBBLE.

Try these recipes:

[1] Carnival squash (photo © Kitchen Agents).

[2] Sweet dumpling squash (photo © Organically Grown Company).