Produce Briefs...
Garlic Flowers
Garlic flowers are essentially the flowering seeds of a garlic plant. They emerge at the tip of the garlic's above-ground stem. The seeds appear once the garlic has reached maturity or if the plant begins to bolt early
Banana Flowers
Exotic banana flowers are the red-orange to deep purple, pointed, compact heads at the tip end of a forming bunch of bananas. Each bud has large outer petals that protect groups of small white flowers
Seasons/Availability
Baby Yellow crookneck squash is available year round.
Current Facts
Yellow crookneck squash is of the species, Cucurbita pepo, along with other squashes, gourds and pumpkins. It is a summer variety of squashes which should immediately distinguish it as a short-season, thin-skinned squash versus hard thick-skinned winter varieties, AKA squashes such as Acorn, Kabocha and Butternut squash. Although, used as a vegetable in the culinary landscape, botanically yellow crookneck squash is a fruit, as its flesh bears the plant's seeds.
Description/Taste
Yellow crookneck squash is named for its unique crooked soda bottle shape and its cornflower yellow coloring when ripe. The skin of Yellow crookneck squash is firm, smooth and yet textured with faint ridges and lines. Its flesh is creamy yellow, with layers of small, soft edible seeds. It is ideally picked at an average length of four to six inches, at which its flavoring is mellow and nutty with just a zest of pepper.
Applications
This squash may be baked, microwaved, steamed, sautéed or fried, toss in stir-fries, soups, stews and casseroles to add color, flavor and texture. To store, place in a plastic bag; refrigerate. For optimum flavor, use within three to four days as this squash is delicately flavored and perishable.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Both summer and winter varieties are popular in today's American cuisine. Crookneck squash is especially popular in southern kitchens.
Geography/History
Squashes are of New World origin, their importance as a crop evolving during the pre-Colombia era in the Americas. Dubbed garden overachievers, summer squash varieties are considered easy to grow, thriving in full sun, warm weather and rich moist organic soil. Summer squash varieties (free of pests, specifically vine borers) will bear at least two to three abundant harvests of fruit per season. Squashes vary from vine to bush type varieties: trailing vines tend to be more invasive and overwhelming. Yellow crookneck is an open bush type which allows for easier harvests.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby Yellow Crookneck Squash. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Kalyn's Kitchen |
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Roasted Baby Summer Squash with Feta and Thyme |
| Cookography |
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Pan-Sauteed Tiny Baby Squash |
Recently Spotted
Someone spotted Baby Yellow Crookneck Squash using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Pangas Beach Club Guanacaste, Costa Rica About 36 days ago, 5/14/13 Spotter's comments : Mahi mahi with coconut risotto and fresh veggies! |
