Confection Squash

Cucurbita maxima

3 to 4 Confection squash grow along short, light green vines. The winter squash has a very pumpkin-like shape, round and slightly flattened with very shallow ribs. Confection squash are small, around 11 to 12 centimeters in height and 16 to 17 centimeters in width. Their size is often compared to that of a kabocha or buttercup variety. Confection squash have smooth, grey skin with the occasional charcoal mottling. The flesh is a vibrant orange color and has a flaky texture. The seed cavity is a moderate size, containing small, flat, pear-shaped seeds. After a period of �curing� in storage post-harvest, the flesh of the Confection squash becomes sweeter and the texture becomes smoother. The sweetness will intensify with prolonged storage.

The Confection squash cultivar requires a �curing� period of 2 to 3 weeks in dry storage after harvest, which allows the sugars to develop within the flesh and improves the texture. Confection squash that are 2 to 5 months post-harvest are said to have the best eating quality. Confection squash is sometimes referred to as Confection Kabocha squash or Kabocha Confection squash, but it is merely a reference to shape versus species.

Geography/History The Confection squash is a variety bred by Tozer Seeds, a seed company based in the United Kingdom. Confection squash is a hybrid of a well-known British variety, the Crown Prince. The tender Confection squash vine requires more maintenance than the average squash or pumpkin variety, so its availability is limited to smaller farms versus more commercial operations. This winter squash variety is more likely to be found in Britain, Europe and in New Zealand, or to a limited extent through small farms at farmer�s markets in the United States.

Varieties:
Winter Sweet hybrid F1
Unparalleled eating quality and extra long storage. Winter Sweet delivers a combination of sweetness, flaky texture, and depth of flavor that has made it a favorite on our research farm. A more reliable producer than Confection, it also keeps very well and improves with storage. Fruits, avg. 4-5 lb., are light-gray with a charcoal mottle, and skin color resists fading. Best eating quality between 2 and 5 months after harvest. Avg. yield: 2 fruits/plant.

Stella Blue
Also known as Stella Blue Hokkaido. Developed by Bill Reynolds, this variety is an improved baby blue hubbard type. It is also a Kabocha type producing small blue fruits with bright orange flesh. 4-6 inch high, 10-12 inch wide disks with little or no buttoning on the base. 1 to 2 kilos. Very nice nutty flavor. Growth: 95/105 days. This variety was developed by farmer Bill Reynolds of Ell River Produce in California.

Sweet Meat

Winter Sweet

Stella Blue

Sweet Meat