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Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Turban squash is medium to large in size, averaging 25-38 centimeters in diameter and weighing about five pounds, and is lopsided, round, and irregularly shaped. At its blossom end is a turban-like cap that gathers in the center and then expands out to a bulbous base. The thin, smooth rind ranges in color from mottled green, orange, red, to yellow or striped, and a single squash often displays all of these colors on the turban cap. The fine-textured orange flesh is dense and firm with a central cavity filled with stringy pulp and flat, cream-colored seeds. When cooked, Turban squash has a floury texture that is mild to sweet depending upon variety.
Seasons/Availability
Turban squash is available in the late summer through winter.
Current Facts
Turban squash, botanically classified as Cucurbita maxima, is an heirloom variety that grows on sprawling vines that can reach up to 2-3 meters in length and belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family along with pumpkins and gourds. Turban squash encompasses a group of winter squashes known for their turban-like cap or acorn on the blossom end, and these squashes are predominately used as an ornamental to showcase its bright colors, patterns, and unusual shape. There are many varieties of Turban squash including Turk’s Turban, French Turban, Mexican hat, Turk’s Cap, American Turban, and Marina di Chioggia.
Nutritional Value
Turban squash is an excellent source of vitamin A and is a good source of vitamin C, calcium, fiber, potassium, and beta-carotene.
Applications
Turban squash is best suited for cooked applications such as baking, steaming, and roasting. The large size and unique shape of the Turban squash are somewhat difficult to cut. Typically, the acorn-like protrusion is sliced off first, and then both the turban and the base are cut into wedges or cubes. The squash can also be cooked with the skin on or off, but the skin is ultimately inedible and must be removed before consuming. The cut squash can then be cooked and used whole as an accompaniment to meats and vegetable mains, or pureed and added to soups, stews, and sauces as a thickener. It can also be cubed and used in chili, stir-fries, green salads, and quinoa salads. Turban squash pairs well with pear, apple, chard, corn, kale, celery, carrots, mushrooms, onions, garlic, parsley, cilantro, nutmeg, cardamom, brown sugar, butter, cream, melting and hard cheeses, toasted nuts, tahini dressing, sausage, ground beef, bacon, and roasted chicken. It will keep for a couple of weeks when stored whole and uncut in a cool, dry place. Care should be taken not to damage the cap as it is the most delicate part of the Turban squash and where rot is most likely first to occur. Once cut, it is best to wrap the cut pieces in plastic and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The Turban squash was known in France as Giraumon Turban and images of it can be found in Vilmorin-Andrieux’s famous album of illustrations, Les Plantes Potagères. A reprint book of the illustrations uses a close-up of the Turban squash featured on plate No. 23 originally illustrated in 1871 as the book’s cover photo.
Geography/History
Turban squash was first mentioned in the 1818 publication of Le Bon Jardinier, which is a French encyclopedia. Before 1818, there were turban shaped cultivars, such as the French Turban, but its flavor was bland and texture watery, so it was predominantly used as an ornamental. This French Turban, however, would go on to be a parent along with the hubbard, acorn, and autumnal marrow to the American Turban in the early nineteenth century, which offered a much more desirable flavor and texture. Today Turban squash can be found at specialty grocers and farmers markets in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Turban Squash. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Sports-Glutton |
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Smoked and Spicy Stuffed Turks Turban Squash |
| Desert Candy |
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Nutty Pumpkin Dip |
| Paleo Leap |
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Turban Squash Soup |
Recently Spotted
People have spotted Turban 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.
Marketplace Foods
Wisconsin, United StatesAbout 118 days ago, 9/25/18 Spotter's comments : Turban Squash spotted at Marketplace Foods. 
Pike Place Fish Market
Corner Produce Pike Place
Near Seattle, Washington, United States1500 Pike St, Seattle 206-535-7562 About 458 days ago, 10/20/17 Spotter's comments : Turban Squash spotted at Pike Place Fish Market. Straight from a pumpkin patch in Portland, OR. A lovely, seasonal addition to your stew or soup ;) 
Uwajimaya
Near Seattle, Washington, United StatesAbout 496 days ago, 9/12/17 Spotter's comments : Turban Squash spotted at Uwajimaya. |
