Published on October 3, 2018
Winter squash can be kept for 3 to 6 months
The colours of autumn are often associated with the magnificent leaves of the trees spreading across Québec — but nature also offers autumn shades in a beloved local food: winter squash.
Cultivated for a very long time in Québec, winter squash is popular and delicious. It’s generally sweeter than its summer counterparts and packed with many nutrients that are excellent for health. Properly stored, winter squash keeps for 3 to 6 months — a great way to stock up and enjoy local produce all winter long.
Colourful — but above all nutritious
Different varieties of squash are high in beta-carotene, which our body converts into vitamin A. Like in carrots, this vitamin helps maintain good vision, supports bone growth, and aids in proper regulation of the immune system. The antioxidant properties of squash may help protect body cells and reduce the risk of age-related diseases. Additionally, squash seeds are rich in antioxidants too — so save them, and find one of the many ways to incorporate them into your cooking!
Grocery store or directly from a producer?
You can certainly find many squash varieties in grocery stores. But for a more enjoyable outing, consider picking them directly at a farm! It’s a fun activity with family or friends — and farms often have a wider variety of squash than stores. In Québec, regions such as Lanaudière, the Laurentides, Centre-du-Québec and Montérégie offer many farms where you can go pick squash. Pumpkins, for example, can sometimes be picked until the end of October.
A versatile food
Squash is very versatile in the kitchen. It works beautifully in soups, as pasta substitute (for spaghetti squash), in stews (with acorn or other squash), or even as chips (for butternut squash). Depending on the variety, the flavour adapts well — and yes, some squash varieties like butternut can even be used in desserts, like cupcakes or baking recipes.
