Canada Crookneck Squash History

(Cucurbita moschata) Listed in New England seed catalogs as early as 1827. Now extremely rare and almost extinct. Wonderful creamy texture with an excellent nutty, sweet flavor. Fruits weight 2-4 pounds. Great for roasting, serving mashed, used for pies or soups. Good disease resistance and well adapted to a wide range of climates. Fruits keep well in storage and will last for months if handled carefully.

Growing Canada Crookneck Squash Seeds

Squash can be sown directly into the garden or started indoors. Summer and winter squash are commonly planted in hills about 1 inch deep. Sow seeds only after any danger of frost has ended and the soil has warmed. Usually, only 4 to 5 seeds per hill is plenty, thinning down to 2 or 3 plants per hill once the seedlings have developed their true leaves. Hills and rows of summer squash should be approximately 3 to 4 feet apart, while winter squash should be spaced approximately 4 to 5 feet apart with 5 to 7 feet between rows and with the hills spaced about 3 feet apart.

Squash can be started indoors 3 to 4 weeks prior to the planting date. Start seeds in peat pots, but be sure the squash seedlings do not suffer root disturbances during transplanting. You can plant 3 to 4 seeds per pot and thin to 2 plants later. Be sure to harden the plants off prior to planting in the garden to lessen the shock of transplanting and wait until all danger of frost has passed. It helps to mulch squash plants generously; mulching maintains moisture and reduces weeds.

Preserving And Storing Squash

Select squash with a hard rind and mature pulp for canning. Start by washing the squash and removing any seeds.

Can You Freeze Crookneck Squash

If you have a lot of vegetables, you can freeze it in a variety of cuts, depending on how you think you’ll use it. Freeze the squash cubed or sliced if you plan on preparing the zucchini or squash as a side vegetable.

Canada Crookneck Squash Recipes

This recipe is wonderful because it allows for such creativity. A fun and easy recipe to make, and if you’re only cooking for two, you’ll have left overs for later!

Squash Nutrition

squash is low in calories but high in many nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium. It is an excellent source of provitamin A carotenoids, vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, and manganese. The high antioxidant content of butternut squash may reduce your risk of certain conditions, including heart disease, lung cancer, and mental decline. squash is low in calories and packed with fiber — making it a great choice for any healthy weight loss plan.

Other Squash Varieties Worth Checking Out

 Waltham Butternut Squash was seveloped and introduced by Bob Young of Waltham, Massachusetts. Most popular variety of butternut, vigorous, highly productive plants. Fruits weight 3-6 pounds and have rich, orange flesh with a nice nutty flavor. All American Selections winner in 1970.

 The Early Summer Crookneck Squash was One of the oldest documented varieties of squash, said to have been given to colonial gardeners in the early 1700’s from the native Lenape people of the Delaware valley. Very popular with home and market gardeners alike.