I had the pleasure of a phone conversation with a good friend and reader in Kentucky a week or so ago.
Talking about what he planned to plant this season, I asked if Honeynut squash was on his list.
He replied:along the lines of “Are they related to Butternut Squash?”
Not sure (didn’t ask), but it could have been that the thought behind that question may have been: “if they are I don’t want to grow them.”
So if you might be thinking along those lines – please don’t judge Honeynuts by its relatives.
Mature Honey Nut Squash
They are sweet and delicious. Easy to cut when preparing to bake.
And although they don’t last quite as long as their Butternut cousins— I saved two into January just to see how they’d do.(They were just starting to show signs of possible bad spots.)
- You can eat the peel! (Butternut peel is too hard.)
- Cooking time is 30 minutes or less. (400º) (When halved rather than cubed. The Butternut is almost double the time)
Honey Nut Squash baked with 1 small amount of butter and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Honey nuts take from 90 to 110 dayd to mature depending on growing conditions.
Mine are started in containers inside; then moved to a makeshift cold frame by the back steps.
Stagger plantings for a several weeks for a season-long supply.
Important to keep in mind
It is said Honeynut Squash will not finish ripening after harvesting them. I have found that to be true.
Thus, if they still show any green, leave them on the vine until the color shown in the first picture of this post. I cooked one that had a little green on it and it was bitter. Not at all like the ones totally ripe.
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Are the plants resistant or maybe I should say attractive to squash borers?
One of my favorite is Northern Georgia Candy Roaster. It fruit are long and thick in the middle but pointed at both ends. Beautiful, orange sweet flesh in a 3-5# squash. I believe they’re an Indian Cherokee? Variety. Had a lovely experience the first year but lost 3 plants to borers the following year.
I love butternut squash and those look sooo good. I may try my luck with them. thanks for sharing!
You make the honey nut squash sound and look delicious! I will see if I can find some seeds to grow and give it a try.
Dona, I Had no squash borers on them, for the 3 seasons I grew them. Never read anything about them being resistant Glad not to have any on ones I grew.
i’d like to try those Northern Georgia Candy Roasters! Thanks for mentioning them.
Toni, I think you’ll really love these,
Sandra, I think you’ll find these so much tastier than the Butternuts
I started my Honey Nut Squash inside and just planted them out. Only four plants as they produce so well. Any extras go to the local food bank, as with all extra vegies. Didn’t bother to plant butternut. Wanted to plant the yellow straight squash but didn’t get the seeds in time.