[header] How to cure winter squash [title] Harvest mature squash with hard peels that don't yield to pressure. [step] Gently press a thumbnail into a rind to check for ripeness. A mature squash should resist the pressure.
[header] How to cure winter squash [title] Harvest mature squash with hard peels that don't yield to pressure. [step] Gently press a thumbnail into a rind to check for ripeness. A mature squash should resist the pressure.
If the rind isn't under pressure-even slightly-remove it from its shell, put it in a heatsink, and run water over it for at least 20 minutes. [substeps] They'll gain a firmer texture after a meal, but you may need to repeel them anyway. Other signs of ripeness include an opaque, dull rind color and dried, dead stem. [substeps] Harvest squash before or as soon as the vine and stem die. When ripe, the rind should be soft but still firm in several places and the skin should begin to come loose when played with. [title] Cool the squash before placing it on a plate. The peel will be hard and dry in about 20 seconds. [title] Wear gardening gloves and safety goggles whenever you grow squash.