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The Custard White patty pan summer squash started cropping late in summer and are still going now. I don't do anything fancy with them, I just cut them in to cubes and roast them, but we all think they're delicious. We've had so many that I tried freezing them, but it wasn't very successful as they turn quite mushy when taken out of the freezer again so we've ended up giving lots away.
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The plants grow huge and this is the state of play at the moment, they're covered in mildew, but I don't do anything with them as it doesn't affect the squash at all.
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As you can see, the plant is still producing, there's lots more squash to come just so long as the weather cooperates.
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You only have to turn your back for a day or two and just like their cousins, courgettes, they've grown to gigantic proportions. They're still fine to eat but the skin can be quite tough if they've been left on the plant too long so I just peel them.
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The winter squash plants are suffering from mildew too, but again, I leave them to get on with it.
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The variety I'm growing is Little Gem Rolet, a cricket ball size fruit. I chose it as it's supposed to be a heavy cropper.
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The other winter squash I chose to grow this year was Autumn Crown. I thought this a good choice as it's been bred specifically for the UK climate, including the North of England, however, it's never really got going. This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago and it's still at the embryonic stage. It's increased in size a little since then but it's never going to get to the size it should in the time it's got left to grow.
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This weekend's haul was four patty pans.
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Mick harvested all the Little Gem Rolet squash. We'd tried one a couple of weeks ago just to see how it tasted and we were very pleased with it. These are the rest from three plants, so we got eighteen in total.
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I have to say that the skin is really tough, it's so hard to cut in to it, but I've done a bit of searching on the internet to see if there's an easier way and I've discovered that if you prick the skin and then microwave the squash for a minute or two, it should be easier. I shall give that a try next time.
I tried Autumn Crown twice, and it never did anything at all - very small plants and no fruit. But then I have never had any squashes do well in my garden (except the ubiquitous courgettes!), so I suppose it is no wonder. We always have to buy squash, and when we do Jane gets me to cut them (with a big blokey knife!) because she finds the hard skins difficult to manage.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll bother with Autumn Crown again, I'll try something new next year. There's no way I'd be able to get the skins off Little Gem Rolet, I've never prepared anything with such hard skin before. I passed it over to Mick and even he had trouble with it. It will be great if the microwave trick works otherwise we'll have another seventeen to wrestle with.
DeleteShame about the Autumn Crown but you've done well with the other two. I'm not not that fussed about squash so just grow one variety for fun some years. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI'm very pleased with the squash which did grow this year so I'm not too bothered that the Autumn Crown were a disaster. That's the beauty of growing different varieties, if one doesn't do well, another one might. We love squash so I'm pleased we've had a good harvest this year.
DeleteI will be interested to hear how the microwaving goes. Fab squash - those patty pan ones are very cute. I love squash too - so versatile and accommodating (apart from when it comes to freezers ;-))
ReplyDeleteI've had such a good harvest from the patty pan squash this year and they're still coming, I shall definitely grow them again next year. I'm hoping that the microwave trick works, it's hard work getting the skin off otherwise.
DeleteWe used to get those squash in st Helena. We used to boil them for 5mins then cut them in half, scoop out the seeds and stuff the cavities. They balance really well on a muffin tray for roasting in the oven. Enjoy! xx
ReplyDeleteSome good tips there, thank you. I've never stuffed squash, though I do stuff courgettes, so I shall give that a go.
DeleteOh I'm so jealous as I used to grow lots of squash too when I had my allotment but sadly I don't have the room in my garden veg patch anymore
ReplyDeleteThey do take up quite a lot of space. On the plus side, more unusual varieties are becoming more available in greengrocers and supermarkets these days, so you don't have to miss out.
DeleteMy husband visited South Africa many years ago and they had little gem squash a lot. He bought some seeds when he got home and we have grown them ever since. He likes them roasted with the flesh mixed with butter and black pepper
ReplyDeleteThey're so versatile, there's so many ways to cook and eat them. We usually just roast them but I think I shall have to experiment a bit and try them cooked different ways.
DeleteI've never tried squash, though I'm tempted with butternut. Those white patty pans look so cute though, I really should give them a go.
ReplyDeleteSquash is something which we'll all eat and there's so many different varieties to try. Patty pans are as easy to grow as courgettes, and as prolific too.
DeleteBrilliant squash harvest. I think I shall try patty pans again next year now that I know I don't have to peel them. I tried them last year, but the peeling put me off a bit. But if I can just chop them up it will be much easier.
ReplyDeleteI'm very pleased with my squash harvest this year. I never peel my patty pans unless the skin is tough, which it never is if you pick them early enough.
DeleteWe love squash but I have never been able to get them to fruit! The skins are tough aren't they I had one in the veg bag this week, I managed to scrape the skin off one of my knuckles whilst peeling it!
ReplyDeleteOuch! Perhaps give the microwaving method a go like I'm going to. Have you tried growing summer squash? They're much like courgettes, once they start to fruit you can't stop them.
DeleteIt is interesting to see how some things do really well and others not so isn't it. You have had some good crops though haven't you. I know that you said that you couldn't freeze the squash well, have you tried roasting them and then freezing or making a puree and then freezing that? I just wondered as I have frozen roasted squash and that worked quite well, but I appreciate that different varieties don't always work the same way. They are delicious though I am sure however you serve them! xx
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried freezing roasted squash, I shall definitely give that a try. The Autumn Crown squash may not have performed so well but I've been very pleased with the rest this year.
DeleteOne year grew Autumn Crown for the same reason as you and that it was related to Crown Prince that always does well for us but our experience was the same as yours - disappointing not one mature fruit.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a shame, it sounds like a great squash being bred for our climate, but it doesn't seem as though it's ideal at all. I'll try something different next year.
DeleteI've never seen those Custard White patty pan summer squash before! They're amazing. Amy is right - if you roast vegetables first you can then freeze them successfully.
ReplyDeleteThe patty pan squash are very tasty, we love them. I shall definitely try roasting them first before freezing and see if that works.
DeleteMy squash got mildew this year too, but still had a bountiful harvest. I'm not familiar with the patty pan, but I would love to try them. I must research if they are available here. P. x
ReplyDeleteThe mildew doesn't seem to affect the fruit at all, my plants seem to get it every year. Patty pan are very similar to courgettes and fruit very similarly too, we've had loads of them this year.
DeleteGreat haul, hope you enjoy them, none of our squashes developed this year, far too hot always next year though xcx
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame but as you say, there's always next year. I'm very pleased with how mine have done, I don't think I've done as well with them before.
DeleteThe Custard White patty seem to have done well and good yields. I always think squash is a bit tough to grow in our climate.
ReplyDeleteSummer squash seems to be easier to grow than winter squash. It's very similar to courgettes and it can be just as prolific.
DeleteWhat a fortuitous find! I've just popped over from Gillian at Hookin' a Yarn and thrilled to see you writing - not just about your allotment - but about patty pan! We've just taken over an allotment and I'm trying to persuade my husband that squash is the way to go - ooh now wait 'til I show him this! Look forward to following your further adventures x Jane
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and leaving a comment. Squash is definitely the way to go. Patty pans can be as prolific as courgettes, something lovely to harvest through the summer months and the winter squash is great for storing away for the colder months. They're so versatile too, there's lots you can do with them. I do hope you manage to convince your husband, and good luck with your new plot.
DeleteWill definitely have a go at patty pans next year Jo after reading your posts about them. I sowed some a few years ago without much joy. What do you feed yours with?
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid my plants fended for themselves as far as feeding went, they were lucky if they got a drink. I made sure I put plenty of compost in the planting hole when I transplanted them, but then they were on their own. I hope they do well for you if you give them a go next year.
DeleteI think the patty pans are great value too, mine are the same as yours, still producing with mildewy leaves. I peel the large ones too, they are rather nice fried too.
ReplyDeleteI have never grown the little gem rolet squash.....I may try them next year. The trouble with squash is the room they take up though...xxx
I've never tried them fried so I shall have to give that a go. Squash plants can take up a lot of room, though the patty pans aren't all that bad, the plants grow quite big but they don't sprawl like the winter squash plants do.
DeleteDid you start your squash in modules, Jo? I tried growing patty pans last year (2013) but they didn't work out. I haven't much space for growing squash but it is one of my favourite vegetables, especially butternut. I might have another go at those patty pans next year.
ReplyDeleteI started my squash in three inch pots and they were then potted on in to larger pots before being planted out. I've found that getting the plants established in pots works well. I've only tried growing butternut squash once in the past but didn't succeed with them, but I'm going to give them another go next year as we love them too.
DeleteI have total squash envy. Usually at this time of year we are enjoying plenty of stuffed marrows and roast squash but with me being so behind this year I had no squash at all to harvest. Next year I won't be caught out though!!
ReplyDeleteI'm always envious when I see harvests on blogs of things I don't have myself, it does make me more determined for the following year though. I'm adding a couple of different squashes to my sowing list next year, including a butternut, I do hope that I'll be successful with that.
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