Delicata Squash

Cucurbita pepo 'Delicata'

vegetable

A cream-and-green striped oblong winter squash with edible skin and exceptionally sweet, dry, nutty flesh. Small individual-sized fruits weigh 1 to 2 pounds, making them perfect for roasting halved and stuffing. One of the most flavorful and versatile winter squash, and among the easiest to store.

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

• Corn — Three Sisters companion — provides vertical structure
• Beans — Nitrogen fixing; three sisters partner
• Nasturtium — Deters squash bugs when planted at the bed border
• Borage — Attracts pollinators and deters squash vine borers

❌ Keep away from

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

• Squash vine borer →

  Row cover until flowering; wrap stem in foil; apply Bt to stem base in June-July

• Squash bug →

  Handpick eggs on leaf undersides; trap under boards at night and destroy

• Cucumber beetle →

  Sticky traps; row cover on seedlings; kaolin clay spray

• Powdery mildew →

  Space for airflow; remove infected leaves; sulfur dust or neem oil

🌾 Harvest & storage

Harvest when the cream portions have turned golden yellow and the rind resists penetration by a fingernail. The stem should be corky and dry. Store in a cool dry location at 50 to 60 F for 3 to 4 months. Delicata does not store as long as butternuts but is often sweeter.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

Excellent source of vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin C, and potassium. The edible skin provides additional fiber and nutrients. Good source of complex carbohydrates.