Having its origin in China, spaghetti squash is one of the most authentic and all-time favorite squashes of many. The name - ‘spaghetti squash’ comes from its unique peculiarity that – this squash looks exactly like a spaghetti on the inside! This is what makes this squash different from others.
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Spaghetti squash is not only a good looking and delicious thing to eat, but also it is a great choice for people looking for low-cal dishes.
Without talking too much about spaghetti squash, let’s dive into the facts straight about when to pick spaghetti squash.
Sometimes it gets quite hard to know the perfect time for when you shall start harvesting your squashes. If you harvest them unripe, it may spoil quickly.
Again, if you wait for too long, you squash will be inedible. You don’t want any of these to happen. For this reason, here are some methods that you can apply to know your perfect time to harvest.
The easiest way for you to identify whether your spaghetti squash is completely ripe or not is to check its skin color. The skin will look bright yellow in color when it becomes completely ripe.
If you see yellow skin with some green shades on it, then your spaghetti squash needs more time to ripen.
On the other hand, if the yellow skin has orange shades, then you probably have waited too much. A fully ripe squash usually has a dull-colored skin. If you see a very shiny skin, then it will be better for you to wait a little bit longer.
Suppose the color seems perfect to you, and you are not sure whether you shall start picking up or not, then you can go for the fingernail method.
A fully mature spaghetti squash usually has a hard skin, and if you are able to penetrate the skin, then give it a few more days. It is not yet ready to be harvested. You should not be able to pierce the skin if it is completely ripe.
If you see any bruises or black spots on the skin of the squash, then it indicates that your squash is damaged or over-matured. Harvest the squash before the spots start to appear. That might save you from the squash being over-matured.
You can scratch the rind of the squash to detect its ripeness. If you feel that the rind is still soft and you can scratch it easily, then leave it a few more days to ripen. Mature squashes tend to resist scratches. Be a little bit careful while you use this method, and try not to scratch too much.
A fully mature squash should be from 22 to 25 centimeters. If your squash is below the range, give it a few more days to ripen. However, sometimes fully ripe squash does not fall under this range. They are sometimes a bit smaller. In that case, you can check the other factors.
After you sow the seeds, spaghetti squash matures within 90 to 100 days. Keeping this information in mind can help you find the right time to harvest.
Just like all other squashes, spaghetti squash gains its full maturity in the winter season. It is a cold-season vegetable, and so it becomes ready for you to harvest around 40 to 50 days after bloom formation. However, as the ripening of spaghetti squash depends on some climatic factors and soil conditions, it can attain full maturity anytime from September to December.
Harvesting your squashes in dry and sunny days are a must if you are planning to store them for a couple of months. Store them in a dry and cool environment immediately after you harvest, with temperature ranging from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
Squashes can be stored in the refrigerators for up to two to three weeks. If you are harvesting for consuming them immediately, then refrigerators can serve your purpose.
Molds and mildews are often seen hiding in your freshly harvested squash. The best way to get rid of them is wiping the outer skin of the squash with a solution of 10% bleach (used for the household purposes) and 90% water. This will kill all molds hiding in your squash.
Now, I believe that you will not have any difficulties to identify when shall you start picking up your squashes. And yes, check your squashes regularly to know the perfect time to harvest. That is perhaps the best thing that you can do!
Still got questions? Just leave a comment below! Or, if you have got any ideas, tips or thoughts of your own, please feel free to share them as well!
Hello, I’m Laura Bennett. I love nature especially when it comes to flowers and different kinds of plants. I started a very small garden behind my house and I named it Humid Garden. So, I created this blog to provide aspiring and inspiring thoughts about gardening for gardeners and anyone who has the intention of keeping a garden.
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