29 Interesting Squash Facts: Learn About Its Health Benefits

Squash is sometimes used synonymously with pumpkins and other gourds.

The squash plant has tendrils and bears unisexual flowers. The fruit of this plant is characterized by flesh inside them that has rinds.

Squash is a vegetable that not only has health benefits but is also beneficial for your skin and hair. The vegetable also has its relevance behind the name of the game 'squash.' Keep reading to know more about this popular vegetable!

Health Benefits Of Squash

There are several ways in which squash does wonders for your immunity. Take a look at the following list of facts to know how squashes can be helpful for your health.

Squash has no cholesterol and a minimal amount of fat which is almost negligible, making them a healthy food choice.

Consuming squashes helps to prevent heart diseases because it has no cholesterol.

Squashes prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the body. The beta-carotene levels and Vitamin C present in a squash makes this possible.

As Vitamin C does not let cholesterol walls build, it prevents atherosclerosis.

Squashes also contain magnesium. Magnesium helps lower high blood pressure.

Squashes also help prevent heart attack and stroke by aiding a healthy metabolism.

Yellow squashes have vitamin folate in them. This helps to remove homocysteine, which is an unhealthy byproduct of metabolism.

One cup of yellow squash contains only about 36 calories, which is negligible. This makes squashes a go-to for losing weight.

Types Of Squash

There are as many as 100 different types of squashes. They are usually categorized as summer squash or winter squash. The summer squash and the winter squash can be further divided into subtypes. Let's look at some of the most common summer squash and winter squash.

Spaghetti Squash: The spaghetti squash has a flesh that looks shredded in texture, hence resembling spaghetti. This squash is often stuffed with other fillings.

Acorn Squash: Its flesh is yellow-orange, while the exterior is green. Due to its mild taste, it is often roasted before eating.

Kabocha Squash: This is a Japanese squash that tastes sweet. Its taste, along with its dense texture, makes it a perfect choice for soups and bakes.

Red Kuri Squash: Although they are not pumpkins, they are sometimes alternatively termed as Hokkaido pumpkins.

Butternut Squash: This squash has a rich texture and sweet flavor. Hence, it is commonly used in soups, gnocchi, or risotto.

Delicata Squash: This is unique for its green and cream striped, thin rinds. This squash tastes like sweet potato.

Sweet Dumpling Squash: This winter squash is smaller than others. It looks like a small pumpkin that has thick rinds of multiple colors.

The History And Origin Of Squash

The first-ever record of squash was in 1591. Before this, there was no record of this vegetable in Europe. It was only in the late 16th century that this vegetable became known. However, squashes were available aplenty and eaten in America during this time. Here is a list of notable timelines associated with the history and origin of squashes.

The word squash is derived from 'askutasquash,' which is Native American and means 'eaten raw or uncooked.'

Squashes are one of the oldest crops known to humankind. Some sites in central Mexico suggest that they date to 10,000 years ago.

Earlier, squashes were used as utensils. Since these vegetables had hard shells, they could store things for long periods.

It was only later that the flesh and seeds came to be consumed.

The first domesticated use of squash dates back 5000 years ago in Missouri, in Phillips Spring.

America's first cookbook got published in 1796, and it had one of the first recipes of the pumpkin pie to be published. The book's name was 'American cookery,' written by Amelia Simmons.

In 1857, James J.H. Gregory introduced the Hubbard squash to America.

Growing And Caring For Squash

Interestingly both the winter and summer squash requires warm weather to grow. Even though winter squashes are available and eaten during the winter season only, these winter varieties need similar growing conditions as the summer squashes.

The squash has prevailed as one of the most essential crops since time immemorial. Be it cold winters or scorching summers, and people enjoy squash all year round. Here are the things to check while planting a squash plant.

Before sowing the squash seeds into the soil, you should ensure the soil is at least 60 F (16 C). This prevents the seeds from rotting.

The seeds can also be sown two to four weeks before the last date of frost, inside a heated or warm greenhouse.

While planting them, make sure to plant one seed at a distance from the next one, as squash plants need room to grow their roots.

These plants need a full amount of sunshine to grow and produce fruit. It would be best to plant them at a place with a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day.

They require acidic soil to grow. You can also add lime to the soil to increase the soil's pH level.

The soil should be rich in organic matter. To ensure this, you can add organic fertilizer. You should work the fertilizer into the first couple of inches of the soil for the best results.

Watering an adult squash plant once a week would be sufficient for its growth.

FAQs

Q: What squash is white?

A: Tatume squashes have white exteriors. Their flesh is also white and firm.

Q: What squash is orange?

A: Kabocha squashes are bright orange. Their vibrant orange flesh tastes like a fusion of pumpkins and potatoes.

Q: Is Acorn squash a winter squash?

A: Yes, this falls under the category of winter squashes. These winter squashes also go by Des Moines or pepper squashes.

Q: What are two interesting facts about butternut squash?

A: A butternut squash has enough Vitamin A to provide for your daily need of the vitamin. Additionally, the seeds of this vegetable can be roasted and eaten like pumpkin seeds. The flesh of this vegetable can also be consumed.

Q: What are the four types of squash?

A: The four different species of squash are Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita mixta, Cucurbita moschata, and Cucurbita maxima.

Q: What are the benefits of squash?

A: Squash is healthy for your body as it prevents heart diseases. It also increases immunity, has Vitamin C, and heals skin and hair problems.