Pumpkins or Squash?

[Headfry]

I fancy trying something new.....

What would be a good variety to grow for flavour, I love making soup and using baked pumpkin etc.

Any ideas please, also where is a good place to buy the seed?

Many thanks

HF

[SlugLobber]

I would go for Squash (easier to chop up, cos I'm lazy!), or you could buy both this year and see what you get from NEXT year's seeds, as they're a bit 'relaxed' with their mating criteria. Even more so than that 15yr old in the papers. I bought Cobnut squash from Wyevales - I think they were Fothergills, not sure.

[sallym]

I keep reading that "Crown Prince" Squash is one of the best for flavour. I have 20 seeds here, too many for me. If you PM me your address, I will send you some

[gojiberry]

I always have far better success with punpkins than with squashes. I made some pumpkin jam last year, I made one lot early in the pumpkin year and it was fab so made some more later on but the pumpkins had got to much flavour and it wasn't as nice. Still both lots have gone so not wasted.

Ian

[Alison]

I grew some Harlequin squash last year and they were some of the nicest tasting ever - am growing again this year. On other thing though, thought that pumpkins were just a type of winter squash, what's the difference?

[JamesA]

Im going to have a go at summer Crookneck squashes that i saw someone mention on here. Ordered them from ebay, 40 seeds for 99p along with a bunch of other stuff.

eBay UK Shop - Premier Seeds Direct: Italian Selection, Annuals, O-Z

[bluemoon]

My vote goes to Potti marron, we went from a family of pupmkin haters to one who can't get enough of them, and they became an instant in my top 5 favourite veg. They have a lovely chestnuty taste and roast beautifully. I'm going to stop typing now as I'm becoming distraught about having to wait another seven months before I can eat one again.

[realfood]

The recommendations on my website, which all did well for me in the taste tests last year are

Festival F1. This is a very quick maturing variety that carries several, sweet tasting, small, pretty squashes. Each one is the right size for a family meal, some 1 kg, and could also be readily stuffed and then micro-waved. It is very good for storing and will regularly store into the next Summer.

Red Kuri or Uchiki Kuri. There is some dispute in the seed catalogues as to whether these are different names for the same variety or two different cultivars of the same variety. Red Kuri may be a redder cultivar. In any event, they are quick maturing with a good flavour, weighing about 1.3 kg each. Should store till late Winter.

Crown Prince F1. This is very tasty, having large blue/grey fruits each about 4 kg, and should store well into spring.

Bonbon F1. This one came top in a recent independent taste test with a dry, nutty taste. Each fruit weighs about 2 kg and should store into the Winter. This one was the first to start to break down and had to be eaten first. The others are all still storing well.

[Peter]

Crown Prince.

[Shaun the Sheep]

Great website Realfood - although it took me a while to find it. I've bookmarked it now. I agree about Crown Prince and Uchiki Kuri.

[JamesA]

Im lazy lol, whats the web site?

[Two_Sheds]

Im lazy lol, whats the web site?

how lazy are you?
Just click on his name and then his homepage

[irisgirl]

Hi there, I'm gonna have a go at growing the mega Atlantic Giant pumpkin and also the gorgeous Festival squash:

[JamesA]

how lazy are you?
Just click on his name and then his homepage

Oops, didnt realise it did that if you clicked on the name! I was looking for a homepage link or button in the signature or post.

[T-lady]

I plump for Delicata. Single sized portions that cook beautifully in the microwave with a knob of butter and black pepper. mmmmm