Calabaza Squash

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A round pumpkin-shaped squash that is found in a variety of sizes ranging from a few inches in diameter, similar to a small canteloupe up to two feet. The skin color ranges from green to light tan and orange, covering a firm golden orange flesh that is slightly firmer than the flesh of a pumpkin. With a sweet mild flavor like acorn squash, the Calabaza can be prepared just like other squash varieties such as acorn and butternut. It is a good squash to use in fish and meat stews, for soups, puréed in squash dishes, as a pie filling, or as a substitution for recipes requiring pumpkin or butternut squash. The Calabaza squash is native to Central and South America as well as the Caribbean. It is also known as the West Indian pumpkin, the green pumpkin squash, calabash, and calabasa.

When selecting, choose those that are heavy feeling with stems that firmly attached. When storing, place the Calabaza squash in a cool dry area if it has not been sliced open. Whole Calabaza squash can be stored for a month or a little longer while cut Calabaza should be refrigerated in an airtight container or bag and used within a week or 10 days. This type of squash also can be frozen for up to a year in airtight containers.