Can anyone I.D. my squash plant?

[proud2deviate]

Okay, so whenever we eat squash, we usually chuck the seeds outside for the birds and squirrels. Apparently, they missed at least one, because I now have a bloody great big squash plant growing out at the end of the driveway. Only problem is, I have no idea what kind it is, or when I should start thinking about harvesting it.

The fruit are probably eight or so inches long at this point, and they're probably about a month and a half old now (I should have put something in the pics for scale.)

If anyone could hazard a guess as to what variety this is, I'd be grateful.

 

[mete]

There are a huge number of types and they cross-pollinate easily so it may be difficult to identify. Taste it and if it's good save the seeds for next year !

 

[Cougar Allen]

I think it's a cross between an acorn squash and a yellow squash.

My dad used to get a lot of odd-looking volunteers like that in his garden. He loved them....

 

[proud2deviate]

That makes sense. It never occurred to me that it might have cross pollinated. I couldn't, for the death of me, remember eating anything that looked like this. I suppose I'll just have to let it keep going and see how it turns out.

Thanks, guys!

 

[Hamon]

Looks to me like a sweet potato or delicata squash (grew up on a squash/gourd/pumpkin farm). That being said, the yellow stripes are not common for the delicata, which leads me to believe that it may have cross pollinated. For the most part, the delicata has firm and dry flesh to begin with, but something may have pollinated with it to make it inedible.

Delicata:

Gourds:

Time will tell!

Travis

 

[cj65]

It is quite possible that the seeds will not come true to the parent in squashes. So, just enjoy this one, and next year, buy the seeds of the variety you want to grow. You can grow the seeds from the harvest this year and see what you get from it. Gardening is full of surprises.

 

[kvaughn]

Pepper will cross-pollinate also. I had some bell peppers cross with habaneros. Holy crap were they hot! Used some in chili and gave the rest to the neighbors for fun.--KV

 

[proud2deviate]

Pepper will cross-pollinate also. I had some bell peppers cross with habaneros. Holy crap were they hot! Used some in chili and gave the rest to the neighbors for fun.--KV

Wow, that's kind of a neat idea. . .Bell pepper sized Habaneros. Were they like habanero hot, or just "a damn sight hotter than a bell pepper should be," hot?

This could explode into a a new hobby. Never was much into botany, but making new and exciting produce sounds fun.

 

[DennisStrickland]

eat it .great bowel turmoil guaranteed.

 

[proud2deviate]

eat it .great bowel turmoil guaranteed.

Funny you should mention that. I harvested eight out these two days ago, and decided to roast one to see if they're worth a damn. I gave it a rubdown with some oil, and a sprinkling of coarse salt and pepper. Baked at 400 for a half hour. The result was quite possibly the best squash I've ever eaten:thumbup:

The flesh was a pale lemon-cream shade of yellow when I first cut it open, and it darkened to a light orange after I roasted it. It tasted, well, squashy Not quite as sweet as an acorn squash, with a pleasant nuttiness. The texture was smooth, almost creamy, with a good amount of starch. I think these would lend themselves equally well to both sweet and savory dishes; I'm currently contemplating a squash bisque.

There's still more on the vine, too. My rouge squash plant just doesn't want to quit!

And no, my bowels haven't rebelled against me yet. Of course, I only ate one. I imagine the fiber is at odds with all the cheap steak and cheese I've been eating lately.