Produce Briefs...
Wasabi
Wasabi is a perennial and a member of the Cruciferae family. It is grown mainly for its underground rhizome (tuber) which produces branch-less, edible leaves above ground. A mature wasabi root is firm, cylindrical, brown and green-skinned and tapered.
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
Calabasa squash is available summer and fall.
Description/Taste
Calabasa squash, also known as tropical pumpkin or West Indian pumpkin, offers a sweet flavor with a deep yellow and fine-textured flesh. Round in shape its exterior skin is hard with large vertical ridges striped with varying shades of green. Ranging in size from as small as a Cantaloupe to as large as a watermelon, this squash can weigh between 15 and 30 pounds.
Nutritional Value
All squashes provide vitamin A and vitamin C, some of the B vitamins and are a good source of fiber. One cup of cooked squash has about 100 calories. Deep-colored squashes have the most beta carotene.
Applications
Calabasa squash can be cut in half, seeded and roasted as is or can be cut into smaller pieces and prepared. Try cubed and add to stir-fries, casseroles, curries and stews. Prepared Calabasa squash makes an excellent stuffing for enchiladas, quesadillas and tacos. Delicious when roasted and served as an accompaniment to poultry. It can be used in recipes where pumpkin is called for, but its flesh is firmer and cooks more quickly. Keep whole uncut squashes in a cool dark place. Cut pieces of squash will keep wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to one week.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Calabasa squash is popular in West Indian and Mexican cuisine. "Calabaza" is the generic Spanish term for squash.
Geography/History
A vigorous annual, the vines of the Calabasa creep along the ground in order to find warm and moist conditions. Some of its aliases include West Indian pumpkin, Cuban pumpkin and green pumpkin and it is frequently spelled "calabaza". Grown throughout the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Africa and Asia.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Calabasa Squash. One
is easiest, three is harder.
