An organic butternut squash
Presenting--drum-roll, please--my first home-grown butternut squash!
After nurturing and pampering my four butternut squash plants since May, I have harvested my first squash! It may not have the classic butternut shape, but that just adds to its charm, in my opinion.
It weighs in at a magnificent 563g, and in case you hadn't noticed... I'm really, really proud of myself for actually managing to grow something!
There are another four squash ripening on their vines--two are almost fully ripe--so we shall have a small feast... eventually.
I've really enjoyed growing squash. Because they're such big plants the fruits form quickly--and die quickly--so you can practically watch them grow and get immediate satisfaction.
Way back I mentioned that there were about 15 squash growing on the plants. I'm afraid that the summer--or lack thereof--put paid to them. Squashes are pretty easy-going plants, but they do need warmth and sunshine to keep the fruit growing. We've had a foul summer this year: about 90% rain and 10% sunshine. Even the ever-reliable plum tree has struggled to fruit and normally it positively drips with luscious red plums.
Unsurprisingly my fennel has given up its valiant struggle against the elements and now refuses to grow at all. I'll be chucking it away--and I guess the compost, too, since it was container grown--when I harvest the rest of the squash.
Next year I'll definitely grow squash again. I'll probably cut back to two butternuts, though, as they trail everywhere, and add in a bushy gem squash plant and some lovely yellow courgettes. Hopefully the weather will be better!
So, I'm curious. What would
you do with this small and imperfect, yet beautiful, squash? I'm leaning towards cutting it into wedges and roasting it with just some salt and pepper. On one hand that seems like the ideal way to showcase its natural flavour, but on the other hand... it's a bit boring.
All suggestions welcome!
Original source: http://www.aspoonfulofsugar.net/blog/2008/09/my_first_harvest_1.html
