How Can I Buy Acorn Squash at the Supermarket?
If you live in an area where acorn squash can be grown, you may want to know how to buy it at the supermarket. This delicious gourd is available in the supermarket in a wide range of sizes and colors.
Acorn Squash – How to Store, Preserve and Cook It
Acorn squash is one of the more perishable winter squashes, so it’s important to keep it well watered and away from cold drafts. It can also be wiped down with a solution of 1 part household bleach to 10 parts water to discourage mold and rot growth.
The acorn squash plant is low maintenance and requires minimal pruning. You can cut back the leaves to encourage a bushy, compact appearance but do not cut through the main stem. This will inhibit the plant’s development.
You can grow acorn squash from seed or by starting it from seedlings. If you want to start it from seed, sow five or six seeds in a single mound of soil about an inch deep and cover with a thin layer of compost. Once they sprout, thin weaker plants when they’re about 3-4 inches tall.
It takes about 80 to 100 days for acorn squash to mature from seed. The fruit should be harvested before the first hard frost in your area, or before the rind becomes soft and susceptible to damage from frost.
There are two main varieties of acorn squash: bush varieties and vining varieties. Bush types are more akin to zucchini in terms of growth habits and tend to be bushy and stout, while vining varieties climb up a trellis and are more like butternut squash.
Acorn squash are very high in vitamin C and are considered a good source of iron, calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium and zinc. These nutrients help prevent heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
They’re also low in calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium. You can eat them as a side dish or serve them roasted, stuffed or baked.
The skin of a ripe acorn squash is dark green and smooth. The portion that has been in contact with the ground will go from yellow to orange and the rind will turn hard.
Ripe acorn squash should weigh about 1-3 pounds and be about 4-5 inches long. Lightweight ones will have lost moisture through the skin and are drier than those that are heavy.
It’s also a good idea to look at the color of a ripe acorn. The rind will be dark green and the rest of the fruit will turn orange.
Acorn squash can be enjoyed fresh or frozen. They’re very sweet, nutty and slightly spicy, and are often served baked or stuffed with other vegetables, meat or cheese.
They’re easy to cook. You can bake a whole squash or cut it into half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and serve it. You can also microwave a halved squash to get it ready quickly for a snack or dinner.