Golden Nugget Squash

Description/Taste

Golden Nugget squash is small to medium in size, averaging 7-10 centimeters in diameter and two pounds in weight, and is oval and squat, with a slightly lopsided shape. The orange rind is smooth with vertical, fine ridges that run the length of the squash. There is also a notable 5-7-centimeter rough, light brown stem which is typically left attached after harvest as a means of extending the storage life of the squash. The thick flesh is bright orange, firm, and features a central seed cavity containing some pulp and a few flat, cream-colored seeds. When cooked, Golden Nugget squash offers a starchy texture and sweet flavored flesh.

Seasons/Availability

Golden Nugget squash is available in the fall through early winter.

Current Facts

Golden Nugget squash, botanically classified as Cucurbita maxima, is an annual winter squash and is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family along with gourds and pumpkins. Also known as the Oriental pumpkin, Golden Nugget squash was originally bred by North Dakota State to be a sweet potato substitute for short seasoned growing regions. When released, it proved to be well adapted to many growing areas and caught on as a popular home garden squash because of its ability to stay compact and provide a substantial yield.

Nutritional Value

Golden Nugget squash contains fiber, iron, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and niacin.

Applications

Golden Nugget squash is best suited for cooked applications such as roasting, baking, steaming, boiling, and sautéing and can be prepared with or without its skin, but the skin should ultimately be removed before eating. The cooked squash can be pureed and added to risotto, soup or curries, and it can also be added to casseroles, pies, tacos, salads, pasta dishes, and chili. Its petite size is perfect for stuffed and baked squash applications when filled with meats, grains, vegetables, and cheeses. Golden Nugget squash pairs well with cinnamon, nutmeg, curry, sage, chard, kale, parsley, cilantro, bell pepper, apple, pear, ground beef, sausage, quinoa, rice, maple syrup, toasted pecans, butter, cream, melting and hard cheeses, and balsamic vinegar. It will keep up to two months when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Golden Nugget squash was a 1966 All American Sections (AAS) winner, which is an award given to new crops which exhibit superiority in garden-grown fruits and vegetable trials annually. Golden Nugget squash is praised for its ability to be grown as a substitute crop for sweet potato in short-season regions and growing in a bush fashion; it is a compact plant which can provide higher yields per acre than other vine type squashes.

Geography/History

Golden Nugget squash was developed in 1966 by Dr. Holland at the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in Fargo, North Dakota in an effort to create a substitute crop for sweet potatoes that can flourish in a short growing season. Today it is available at farmers markets and specialty grocers across the United States.

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Golden Nugget Squash. One is easiest, three is harder.

Golden Nugget squash is humble to medium in size, averaging 7-10 centimeters in diameter and two pounds in weight, and is egg-shaped and knee bend, with a slightly lopsided shape. The orange rind is politic with vertical, fine ridges that run the length of the squash. There is besides a noteworthy 5-7-centimeter roughly, light brown stem which is typically left attached after crop as a mean of extending the memory life of the squash. The midst flesh is bright orange, tauten, and features a central semen pit containing some pulp and a few bland, cream-colored seeds. When cooked, Golden Nugget squash offers a starchy texture and gratifying flavored flesh.Golden Nugget squash is available in the fall through early winter.Golden Nugget squash, botanically classified as Cucurbita maximum, is an annual winter squash and is a member of the Cucurbitaceae kin along with gourds and pumpkins. besides known as the Oriental pumpkin, Golden Nugget squash was primitively bred by North Dakota State to be a odoriferous potato alternate for short seasoned growing regions. When released, it proved to be well adapted to many growing areas and catch on as a popular dwelling garden squash because of its ability to stay compress and provide a hearty yield.Golden Nugget squash contains fiber, iron, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and niacin.Golden Nugget squash is well suited for fudge applications such as roasting, bake, steaming, churn, and sautéing and can be prepared with or without its skin, but the bark should ultimately be removed before feed. The cook squash can be pureed and added to risotto, soup or curries, and it can besides be added to casseroles, pies, taco, salads, pasta dishes, and chili. Its bantam size is perfect for stuffed and bake squash applications when filled with meats, grains, vegetables, and cheeses. Golden Nugget squash pairs good with cinnamon, nutmeg, curry, sage, chard, boodle, parsley, coriander, bell capsicum, apple, pear, anchor beef, sausage, quinoa, rice, maple syrup, toasted pecans, butter, skim, melting and hard cheeses, and balsamic vinegar. It will keep up to two months when stored in a aplomb, dry, and dark place.Golden Nugget squash was a 1966 All american Sections ( AAS ) achiever, which is an award given to modern crops which exhibit superiority in garden-grown fruits and vegetable trials per annum. Golden Nugget squash is praised for its ability to be grown as a alternate crop for dulcet potato in short-season regions and growing in a scrub fashion ; it is a compact plant which can provide higher yields per acre than early vine type squashes.Golden Nugget squash was developed in 1966 by Dr. Holland at the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in Fargo, North Dakota in an effort to create a stand-in crop for angelic potatoes that can flourish in a unretentive grow season. today it is available at farmers markets and forte grocers across the United States.Recipes that include Golden Nugget Squash. Oneis easiest, three is harder.