Ellyn
Veteran
These are technically fruits because they contain seeds (which can often be roasted into a sort of nut), but culinarily a squash is a vegetable so I'm starting this topic here in "Vegetables" instead of "Fruits and Nuts". More recognizably and agreeably, these are gourds.
Winter Squash, pumpkins and what we would recognize as squashes, are harvested in a mature fruit stage when they have often formed a hard rind. While they are in season in the summer technically, they are called winter squashes because the rind allows them to keep well in winter. Many orange pumpkins and squashes are associated with autumnal festivities, whether as soups or pie fillings they can be eaten as sweet or savory, and are high in nutrients although not quite as high in energy.
Summer Squash are harvested before they harden, and therefore have a shorter shelf life and a softer rind. Zucchini, while they are often hard enough to need to be cooked before being eaten, are an example of summer squash. Luffa is another summer squash type gourd, popular in Asian cuisine.
Winter Squash, pumpkins and what we would recognize as squashes, are harvested in a mature fruit stage when they have often formed a hard rind. While they are in season in the summer technically, they are called winter squashes because the rind allows them to keep well in winter. Many orange pumpkins and squashes are associated with autumnal festivities, whether as soups or pie fillings they can be eaten as sweet or savory, and are high in nutrients although not quite as high in energy.
Summer Squash are harvested before they harden, and therefore have a shorter shelf life and a softer rind. Zucchini, while they are often hard enough to need to be cooked before being eaten, are an example of summer squash. Luffa is another summer squash type gourd, popular in Asian cuisine.