Produce Briefs...
Italian Black Summer Truffles
Black summer truffles are more subtle than the winter variety. Shave truffle over cooked potatoes, toss with herbs and a shallot vinaigrette. Thinly shave truffle over scrambled eggs.
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
Kabocha squash is available year round.
Description/Taste
Resembling the Buttercup, the turban-shaped kabocha, pronounced kah-BOH-chah, is an Oriental squash encased in a dull, deep green, thick, mottled rind with pale, uneven stripes. Round with a flattened top, it ranges from one to eight pounds but generally weighs an average of two to three pounds. The deep, yellow-orange cooked pulp is finely grained, floury-dry and tender. Seeds and strings in the cavity are characteristically oily to the touch. Rather sweet, its rich flavor combines that of a sweet potato and a pumpkin.
Nutritional Value
All squashes provide vitamin A and vitamin C, some of the B vitamins, and are a good source of fiber. Approximately 100 calories are in one cup of cooked squash. Deep-colored squashes have the most beta carotene.
Applications
Kabocha squash is a sweet-fleshed, hard-skinned variety. Peel or bake with the skin on. Dice and roast squash chunks with oil and spices or combine with cream and cheese, baked into a gratin. Add roasted squash to soup, stew or risotto. Puree and mix into softened butter. Slice and roast with honey and citrus. Kabocha squash pairs well with Asian spices, nuts and dried fruit flavors, as well as the textures of cooked faro, barley, lentils, or pasta. Kabocha squash will keep for weeks in cool, dry storage.
Geography/History
Kabocha is actually a generic grouping for many strains of Japanese winter squashes and pumpkins of both Cucurbita moschata and Cucurbita maxima and is also a specific marketing name used in the United States. Prized in Japan, this variety is especially popular in Oriental markets on the West Coast.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| La Costa Resort & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Marine Room | San Diego CA | 858-551-4676 |
| Pete's Premade Paleo | San Dieg CA | 770-354-1150 |
| In The Market | San Diego CA | 619-232-6367 |
| Shimbashi Izakaya | Del Mar CA | 858-523-0479 |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| Gabardine | San Diego CA | 619-398-9810 |
| Roy's San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-239-7697 |
| Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Roppongi | San Diego CA | 858-551-5252 |
| Monello | San Diego CA | 619-501-0030 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| The Rose Wine Pub on 30th | San Diego CA | 619-280-1815 |
| Martinis above Fourth | San Diego CA | 619-400-4500 |
| Currant | San Diego CA | 619-702-6309 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 800 843 4661 |
| Zel's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-0076 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Roy's La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-455-1616 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| Brooklyn Girl | San Diego CA | 619-296-4600 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| Pascucci Pasta | San Diego CA | 619-285-8000 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| Cucina Urbana | San Diego CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Kappa Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-566-3388 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Kabocha Squash. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Wild Greens and Sardines |
|
Kabocha Squash Buckwheat Ravioli |
| Gourmande in Osaka |
|
Kabocha Cardaman Cookies |
Recently Spotted
Someone spotted Kabocha 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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Foodland Near Makakilo City, Hawaii, United States About 47 days ago Spotter's comments : I spotted Kabocha Squash at Foodland! Kabocha squash available in quantity here. |
