| 80 days. As if slathered in brown sugar and fresh butter, the succulent flesh of this hard-shelled squash is nutty, sweet, and rich -- a delicious hot treat for a cold autumn day! Once a mainstay of American tables, Delicata Squash fell from favor around the 1920's, when more people moved to the cities, refrigeration was introduced on a wide scale, and fewer gardens had room for the large space necessary to grow vigorous vines. But now it's back -- and in a bush form compact enough for even a very small garden! Cornell's Bush Delicata is an oblong veggie about 8 inches long and 4 inches around. The rind is ivory with dark green stripes and flecks, while the flesh (surrounding a very small seed cavity) is a rich golden-orange. It can be baked, steamed, roasted, grilled, or even punctured and popped into the microwave for a quick snack! And even though it tastes so savory, an entire squash contains less than 80 calories, plus generous amounts of potassium and Vitamins C and B. You can't go wrong with this healthy squash! This plant reaches 16 inches tall and spreads 3 to 4 feet wide, setting most of its fruit around the crown. Resistant to powdery mildew, it is a snap to grow, delivering big yields in under 3 months. And thanks to the hard shell, this is a superb storing squash (which was why it was indispensible before folks had refrigerators!), keeping for many weeks in a cool, dry location. As its name suggests, this open-pollinated Delicata was developed by Cornell University. It has proven so delicious and garden-worthy that it received a 2002 AAS award. Discover a neglected classic -- in vastly improved form -- with Cornell's Bush Delicata! Winter squash has great storage ability. It is grown like summer squash (sown 1 inch deep after all danger of frost), but the seeds should be spaced 4 to 6 feet apart. Harvest it when the plants die back or just before frost. Cut and cure the fruit in a well-ventilated area, then store at 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Pkt is 20 seeds. Approximately 200 seeds per ounce. |
