Today, September 7th, is National Acorn Squash Day.

Acorn squash is a winter squash. Winter squashes are summer growing vegetables but, unlike the summer squashes, are eaten when fully mature. A summer squash, courgette, is eaten whilst the rind is still edible, whilst a winter squash is eaten when the rind is hard and therefore not consumed.

Most acorn squashes have a dark green, ridged rind, with yellow flesh. The shape is like that of a green, ridged acorn, hence the common name for it.

Acorn squashes can be roasted, after being sliced in half, but they can also be steamed and sautéed. The seeds are edible, but if removed the squash has a nice hollow inside it in which a filling could be added, possibly mixing the seeds into it.

Image: Morguefile