Buying Butternut Squash

SueCT · October 27, 2015

I love roasted Butternut Squash in the winter. It intensified the natural sweetness of the squash. I don't have room to grow it, so I buy it at local markets. This is the second year in a row I bought squash, half a bushel this time, that is bland and not sweet at all, even after roasting. Very disappointing. Of coarse I can "doctor it up" with brown sugar, maple syrup, etc. But with a good squash I don't have to. Does anyone who grows it know what causes this? Is it the variety, like a tomato? Is it weather, or when it is picked? Is it just "luck of the draw" when I buy it, or is there a way to tell a nice tasty squash before I buy it? I don't see any green on the squash and they are all good sized. While I am asking about it, if I do decide to grow a vine or two next year, is there any variety that will yield sweeter, tastier fruit?

October 27, 2015	#1
SueCT Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,460	Buying Butternut Squash I love roasted Butternut Squash in the winter. It intensified the natural sweetness of the squash. I don't have room to grow it, so I buy it at local markets. This is the second year in a row I bought squash, half a bushel this time, that is bland and not sweet at all, even after roasting. Very disappointing. Of coarse I can "doctor it up" with brown sugar, maple syrup, etc. But with a good squash I don't have to. Does anyone who grows it know what causes this? Is it the variety, like a tomato? Is it weather, or when it is picked? Is it just "luck of the draw" when I buy it, or is there a way to tell a nice tasty squash before I buy it? I don't see any green on the squash and they are all good sized. While I am asking about it, if I do decide to grow a vine or two next year, is there any variety that will yield sweeter, tastier fruit?