This is one of the hard-shelled winter squashes that appear every fall and stay around until February. This is a bright orange-fleshed Japanese squash with dark green bumpy skin and a wonderful flavor similar to a sweet potato. Cut in half and then quarters, remove seeds, and bake. As with all winter squash, the hard shell can be difficult to cut through so be sure it's stable and that you have a sharp knife.
The Lowdown
Season
Fall
Summer
Color
Dark brown to deep yellow rinds with yellow to orange flesh
Select
Look for squash with deep, saturated colors and no soft spots or cracks. The stem should be hard as well.
Store
Place squash on your counter in a cool, dry place for about a month.