Crookneck squash is a type of summer squash that is easy to grow and harvest. Crookneck squashes are usually yellow. The fruits of this variety of squash grow very fast during spring and summer. Learn in this article how and when to harvest crookneck squash to enjoy its flavor.
An overripe crookneck squash will have skin that is too tough for consumption and too many seeds, so it is important to harvest the crookneck squash at the right time. Continue reading to learn how and when to harvest crookneck squash correctly.
When to Harvest Crookneck Squash
When to Harvest Crookneck Squash? Crookneck squash will be ready for harvest 45 to 60 days after planting. But you should not only count the days of ripening to harvest crookneck squash, but you should also observe other signs that the squash plant will give.
A mature crookneck squash will be between 4” to 6” (10 to 15 cm) long, if the crookneck squash is larger its skin will become tougher and the inside will have too many seeds. That is why once the crookneck squash plant begins to flower, it is important to observe the plant often to see the state of the fruits.
It is also important to observe the color and brightness of the crookneck squash. A crookneck squash will have shiny skin and if you press your fingernail into the skin, it will leave a mark because the skin is smooth.
Do not allow squash to overgrow on the vine, as this will cause production on the vine to stop. Constantly harvest crookneck squash to encourage new fruit to develop and ripen on the vine.
So, to know when to harvest crookneck squash you will have to observe the color, brightness, and skin of the crookneck squash, observing those signs will be more important than counting the days of crookneck squash ripening.
How to Harvest Crookneck Squash
How to Harvest Crookneck Squash? Harvesting crookneck squash is very easy, you will only need pruning shears or a sharp knife to avoid pulling the squash off the vine. Avoid pulling the squash off the vine to prevent damage to the vine and the squash.
Disinfect tools with alcohol before harvesting squash. Select only crookneck squashes that are ready to be harvested, which are between 4” to 6” (10 to 15 cm) long. Not all crookneck squash will be ripe at the same time, but be sure to harvest consistently to encourage vine production.
Cut the stem with a knife or pruning shears, and leave at least 1” (2.5 cm) of stem on the squash for better preservation. Crookneck squashes over 6” (15 cm) long are edible, but their skin is tougher than smaller squashes.
How to Store Crookneck Squash
How to Store Crookneck Squash? Summer squashes cannot be stored as long as winter squashes. Do not wash crookneck squash because excess moisture will speed up the time the squash will be fresh for consumption. With a clean, dry cloth, wipe any dirt or soil off the squash.
Place crookneck squash in a perforated plastic or paper bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Be sure not to store squash with fruits or vegetables that produce ethylene gas (e.g., apples), as ethylene gas accelerates spoilage.
Only wash the crookneck squash when you are going to use it to prepare delicious dishes. If you are going to consume the crookneck squash after harvest, you can wash them. You can also grate the squash if you have a lot of squash and then freeze them for later use.
Final Conclusions
Crookneck squash like other varieties of summer squash contain vitamins C, B6, and A. Also, they contain minerals such as manganese, magnesium, and potassium. An advantage of the crookneck squash is its rapid growth.
Remember that consistently harvesting crookneck squash will encourage the vine to continue production. I hope this article about how and when to harvest crookneck squash will be helpful. I recommend our article about when to harvest Kabocha squash.
