Tuesday 4 August 2015

Delicata.



My friend Margaret gave me one of these last Autumn. She also gave me strict instructions to save some of the seeds for sowing this Spring; which I did. 

It's called 'Delicata', and is probably the finest Squash I've tasted to date.

I usually grow Butternut Squashes, which I've always considered to be the very best of the Squash family, but since tasting Delicata I've changed my mind.

Last night I roasted a chicken, with which I also roasted a few spuds and the Squash above. I peeled (not necessary), quartered, and de-seeded it, then tucked it in and around the chicken. It was really delicious; a little like eating savoury thick clotted cream.

I recommend that all gardeners should buy one, save the seeds, and do as I did. Of course you may already have done exactly that, in which case I'd like to know why you didn't tell me about it!


These are just a couple, still growing at Haddock's.



35 comments:

  1. I have a bit of a butternut addiction. There's one in the fridge right now. Of course I could be persuaded to go over to the delicata side if I could find the variety here.

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  2. Delicata, eh? I hadn't heard of this variety. Sounds delicious, I will look out for it. If I'm lucky it may be available here (but not holding my breath).

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    1. My friend Margaret is a Kiwi, not that that helps with the availability.

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    2. Judith I googled Delicata and found some on Trade Me - I have emailed you as well.

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  3. Love your photos I was intrigued so searched in UK Amazon sells delicata squash seeds and Franchi Seeds of Italy are worth a try!

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    1. As I said above, it's probably best to buy a Squash, and keep the seeds. That way you get to eat the 'packet', and the seeds come true to type.

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  4. Sounds delicious, have a soft spot for butternut soup, which is very satisfying as well. Not sure squashes will grow in the cold reaches of Yorkshire though!

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    1. Butternut soup is delicious; these I would keep for roasting or frying. They'd probably make a wonderful curry too.

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  5. I only ever see butternuts round the market here but shall have to look for it - perhaps it doesn't travel well.

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    1. I thought all those pumpkin type things grew well almost anywhere, especially if you have plenty of 'precipitation'.

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  6. I have only ever cooked squash once…..I made some soup, which I think was OK!

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    1. It was a while ago, can't really remember . It was hard to peel, I do remember that!!

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  7. I googled Delicata and found just one entry and have just purchased 6 seeds via Trade Me. The sale ends tomorrow.

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  8. We do have Delicata here, something I may consider for next year since I'm a huge butternut fan, so if this is better than butternut, it's for me!
    This year I'm experimenting with a summer squash (kinda) patty pan type called Gelber Englischer custard squash.

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    1. I know the one you mean; a little like a large solid yellow flower. I've not grown them, but I've heard they're very good. I've grown the white flatter patty pans.

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  9. Now I have bought some seeds too, Susan. We can compare notes! Cro, you have started something!

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    1. Well, I do hope you'll be as pleased with them as I am; and don't forget to keep the seeds!

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  10. We haven't got any squashes but we have got a courgette food mountain.

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    1. I made a mistake with my courgette seeds this year. On the pack it said 'non running', but in fact they're all over the place. The result is that they're hopeless, and I now have dozens of huge marrows all hiding in amongst their enormous leaves.

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  11. I do like squash but tend to overdose on runner beans at this time of year 'cos I LOVE 'em !!. You can get Delicata seeds here but I don't think that you can buy the fruits in the Supermarket. We can get Kabocha and Harlequin squashes which are a bit different to butternut. XXXX

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    1. I haven't grown 'runners' for years, we grow the dwarf French beans, which are going crazy at the moment; in fact I must go and pick some NOW.

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  12. I have seen this squash in stores and farmer's markets, but never tasted it. I will try it on your recommendation.

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    1. Why not try it as I did, with a roast Chicken. Lovely.

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  13. My favorite recipe is a Delicata tarte with cumin, coriander, red pepper and sea salt and my little son loves very thin Delicata chips.

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    1. I should imagine that the possibilities are endless; I like the sound of the Delicata Chips.

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  14. That's an amazing number of comments about a soggy vegetable Cro. P grew squash on a heap of pig muck and even I liked them. I don't think they were delicata, more like robustacata. His vegetables grow well straight into mushroom compost and pig muck but what he grows is random. I haven't received anything yet,

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    1. Tell him to forget growing Bucolicata, and try some Delicata; he might be convinced. Wash everything he provides well.

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  15. I've got butternut squash this year. Finally one of the flowers looks as though it's becoming a fruit. Now, i'm crossing digits hoping that I can eat it myself rather then the night eaters who sampled everything about two weeks ago.

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    1. I'm also growing Butternuts; I usually end up with a whole wheelbarrow full, which sees us through the winter.

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  16. I've been greatly enjoying your comments over at the Weaver of Grass's site, and finally decided to leave you a comment here.

    Also plan to sign up with a click to keep in touch with your very interesting posts.

    Best wishes from New York, where garden space is not easy to find. I last grew some squash in Brooklyn back in the mid 1970s.

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    1. Welcome Frances. A friend of mine who lived for several years in New York said it had some of the very best 'Farmers Markets' around, so I don't suppose you're deprived of wonderful vegs.

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