Thursday, November 13, 2008

Squash Primer

With the exception of pumpkin (as in pie) I never eat squash. I believe squash really exists to provide an inexpensive front porch decoration during the months of October and November. I do, however, have great appreciation for their aesthetic beauty and always enjoy seeing them piled in colorful mounds at the fall farmers market. Their odd, beautifully colored shapes are wonderful to look at… and paint. I know the names of some of the members of the squash family - butternut, acorn, turban, but there are many kinds of squash whose names were unknown to me. That changed last week after the Oregonian newspaper featured a squash photo spread in the food section.

And now I know the names of all that squash piled on my front porch.


Delicate - According to the Oregonian, " This variety is unique in that the skin, provided it's cooked long enough, is thin enough to eat, and the nutty, creamy flesh has notes of corn and sweet potato. Best when baked or steamed; not as good for soups."


Sweet Dumpling - "A winner. Sweet and nutty with a super-creamy texture. Skip trying to peel those small ridges and just cut it in half and bake." (Personally, I think the name of this one should be "camo.")


Kuri- "Also known as Japanese squash, orange Hokkaido or uchiki, kuri squash is similar in texture to the butternut; red kuri is smoother, with a distinct taste of chestnuts."

I'm dedicating this post to my wonderful daughter-in-law Aimee, who apparently can never get enought of this stuff, since her freezer is full of jars filled with squash!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awe, thanks. You won't believe it, because I don't cook, but I've been experimenting with recipes in preparation for thanksgiving...I'm determined to bring a squash dish you will like! These paintings are beautiful....

rrARTz said...

these are sooo pretty.

Sherry Pierce Thurner said...

I want some of that sweet dumpling right n ow!

Peachtreeart said...

So delicate how you paint. Great job!

Ann said...

Lovely paintings.

A Brush with Color said...

Oh, these are wonderful, Sharon! I like some squash, but it depends on how they're fixed--(I don't like mushy anything!) These are just beautifully captured here. You're really documenting all the beauties of fall!

Anonymous said...

Love your squashes sharon! there are such beautiful ones around, all worthy of being painted.
ronell

mARTa said...

Well, I think they ARE good enough to eat!!! I love all kinds of squash prepared in all sorts of ways.....but I also love to see their ugly beauty; especially when rendered as lovely as you have done here!

laura said...

Love your primer--the painting of the Delicata especially appeals to me: you've painted it to match its name. I just bought a Hubbard squash--a large,unshapely thing, but a beautiful, delicate sage-green color. I'm an omnivore myself, but I'm never as happy with my homecooked spaghetti squash as I am when I get it out (probably has a lot more butter in it!).

MD said...

Gorgeously delicious. Love your paintings and the squash looks so tasty too.
MD