Produce Briefs...
Orange Honeydew Melon
Oval-to-round and a delicious cross between a cantaloupe and a honeydew, the very fleshy juicy orangish-yellow pulp of the orange honeydew melon is encased in a hard very yellow matching rind.
Iceberg Lettuce
It is the only lettuce type that does not occur in red form as well as green. Iceberg is the given name to dozens of cultivars of lettuce, all of which are adapted to specific planting regions and time periods.
Seasons/Availability
Golden Nugget squash is available fall into mid winter.
Description/Taste
This winter squash boasts a bright orange or salmon-colored, finely-ridged, dull skin. Most often marketed with its stem attached, this pumpkin-shaped variety is about the size of a small grapefruit and measures about three to four inches in diameter. Offering only a slight amount of flesh, the flavor of mature specimens is pleasantly sweet and buttery. This winter squash does not offer its best flavor unless it has reached full maturity and develops a dull finish.
Nutritional Value
Winter squash are a source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, iron, potassium and niacin. Squash's orange flesh is high in beta carotene, the source of vitamin A. The deeper the color, the higher the beta carotene content.
Applications
Gold nugget squash is a hard-skinned, winter variety. Bake whole, or halved, until flesh is tender. Puree and add to risotto. Cook diced squash with onions, carrots, celery and broth until softened, then blend into soup. Roast small, diced squash in olive oil and spices then add to green salads or toss with cooked grains and sauteed kale. Gold nugget squash will keep in cool, dry storage for up to a month.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In the past, squash was a traditional American fall and winter vegetable. Today, however, with both winter and summer varieties are available year-round.
Geography/History
This winter squash, also known as Oriental pumpkin or gold nugget squash, was developed in 1966 at the North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, where a vast amount of winter squash research has been conducted in the past decades.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Golden Nugget Squash. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Feeding Maybelle |
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Baked Golden Nugget Squash |
